Live Poker 40K | iPhone | Mac|Life

INSIDER RESOURCES

Special Sponsored Section

The video player requires Flash 8 Player or later. Please download the latest Flash Player.

FEATURE
100 Snow Leopard Tips, Tricks, and Features

FEATURE
OS X Browser Speed Wars: May the Fastest App Win

FEATURE
The Complete iTunes History -- SoundJam MP to iTunes 9

FEATURE
iTunes 9 Tips and Tricks - Solve the Mysteries of the New iTunes

TOP STORIES

iPhone

Live Poker 40K

Posted 11/19/2008 at 3:35:04am | by Joe Rybicki

poker screen
Avatar images get pulled from your social networking site. BYO dog picture.

It's usually not much fun to play poker with fake money. Strategy disappears as players throw chips around with no restraint, knowing they can just click a button and make more magically appear.

Live Poker takes a novel approach to this problem. Aside from a small per diem and the bankroll you're given when you first join up, the chips don't come free--you earn them by inviting new players, participating in sponsored offers, or paying real money at the rate of up to 7,500 chips per dollar. (In fact, the only difference between this paid app and its free counterpart is that this one starts you off with 40,000 chips as opposed to the free version's 1,000.) This makes players a bit more careful with their chips than in similar online arenas, which makes for a more interesting and rewarding game.

By interfacing with the popular, cross-platform Texas Hold 'Em game that's tearing up Facebook and MySpace, Live Poker makes it easy to find open tables at any stakes. And once you sit down at a table, the game itself is generally clear and functional--if unexceptional--with a clean look, a straightforward interface, and helpful features like a vibrate option for when your turn comes around.

Sure, at times the interface can almost be too simple. For example, it would be helpful to see the all-in amount before your turn and more details on split pots and side pots. But considering that the game taps into such a huge and constant pool of players (nearly 90,000 as of this writing), "functional" will do just fine.

The game itself is solid enough, but the real draw is the ability to play against tens of thousands of players on Facebook, MySpace, and elsewhere. And the smart decision to limit players' chips raises the stakes.

Live Poker 40K 1.01
COMPANY: Zynga
CONTACT: www.zynga.com
PRICE: $9.99
REQUIREMENTS: iPhone or iPod touch with 2.0 software update.

Cross-platform play makes for a huge pool of potential opponents. Simple, straightforward interface. Limited chips makes for slightly more realistic play. Text chat.

Ultra-simple interface can cause confusion when paying out split pots or side pots. Some sluggish animation. Tiny chat text font.

COMMENTS: 10

TAGS: App Store, app store reviews

COMMENTS

40,000 Chips Never Showed Up
Submitted by TonyInDallas on Sun, 2009-03-29 06:45

I bought this app after trying the free one for a few fun hands of poker. I was convinced it would be worth it.

But, the 40,000 chips never materialized. Not that day. Nor the next. Not even any day within the next two weeks.

Their toll-free customer service numbers is always answered by a voicemail message and there's no way to get a live person. They don't return messages. Apple is no help in getting a refund. I finally emailed their Advertising, Business Development and Public Relations email contacts with the complaint. They don't list an email address for customer support.

Apparently billing issues and refunds are a big item with them because they go through the trouble of mentioning it prominently on their web site. But they make you go through a registration process just to get to the page where you can submit your complaint, they figure making you jump through hoops will make you give up asking for a refund.

DO NOT buy this paid app. Use the free one and count your lucky stars that reading this review has saved you $10.

Login or register to post comments

40,000 Chips Finally DID Show Up
Submitted by TonyInDallas on Mon, 2009-04-13 19:00

After I sent Zynga a copy of the review I posted here, Wendy sprung into action and after a few bits of account-identifying information were verified, she not only had the 40,000 chips added, but some extra for all of my inconvenience and upset.

Their customer service automated emails finally started spinning into action, too, but Wendy'd already started helping me.

Since then, the game's been lots of fun and had it not been for that one big blip, I'd give this a 5-star review. I'd like to hear from other people about their experience.

Thanks MacLife!

Login or register to post comments

Live Poker 40K by Zynga is
Submitted by Raise on Mon, 2009-11-02 11:56

Live Poker 40K by Zynga is about as fun as online poker can be without the stress of wagering real money. live roulette

Login or register to post comments

online poker
Submitted by peterson00 on Wed, 2009-07-15 06:03

Hi,

Interesting article.....I was searching these kind of sites.....we are expecting more information on poker game....

online poker

Login or register to post comments

It’s an unusual offer. It
Submitted by andrewxr on Thu, 2009-08-27 04:58

It’s an unusual offer. It might be interesting for players especially those who are easily carried away. It is always captivating to earned different points and many people do get hooked on it! It is a clever marketing move. When you do not play for real money this system is more attractive. I am all for it!

---------------------------------
Best online casino and online casino bonuses

Login or register to post comments

this post has cleared some
Submitted by jillas on Fri, 2009-09-04 22:27

this post has cleared some doubts for me and thanks for sharing.
jillas - green tea weight loss

Login or register to post comments

live cricket com
Submitted by max123 on Sat, 2009-09-05 00:18

Hi,
This is quite interesting knowing that video games can make people aware of such things. Games can be helpful indeed in real life, like what I've read about a student who was able to make it through a financial crisis.
live cricket com

Login or register to post comments

free bets
Submitted by qazi1 on Tue, 2009-09-08 21:13

Hi,

What does the sport of CRICKET have to do to be popular in the USA????

free bets

Login or register to post comments

Pay for chips...interesting
Submitted by milt on Wed, 2009-10-21 18:26

"or paying real money at the rate of up to 7,500 chips per dollar"

If you can buy chips, in effect you can play form real money, or have i misunderstood - can you cash out at the same conversion as above??. Surprised they managed to get this one up on the App Store. cheers iphone casinos

Login or register to post comments

omega watches
Submitted by benet (not verified) on Tue, 2009-11-10 21:32

Were not smart, but also learn from others bald.omega watchesChing had no water to fish, one to the cheap is invincible.replica watchI left Dragon, White Tiger right shoulder tattooed Mickey Mouse.replica watchesEfforts should be made! ! For your Audi Dior me.cve2

Login or register to post comments