Poker

Your Spectrum

Rick Robson 3/5 MISS

Roger Willis 4/5 MISS

Ross Holman 2/5 MISS

JOYSTICK JURY Have we got some great software lined up for you! But first a surprise - the hairy hacker is taking his annual rest (he calls it that 'cos it usually lasts a year!) so we welcome a new joystick juror to the bench, Rick Robson. Now join the three Rs - Rick, Roger Willis and Ross Holman as they find out where the arcade action is! What's the score? Well, the marks out of five at the end of each review is a shorthand way of summing up what each reviewer thought of the game. But will it be a commercial success? For that you'll have to check out the HIT and MISS system. Simple, eh? POKER Duckworth £5.95 Roger: This is a fairly reasonable training aid for a misspent youth or life of idleness passed away with a pack of cards. Without explaining the rules and subtle techniques involved in poker, it can be said that the Spectrum version is a good simulation with opponents' comments, threats and discernable tactics coming across pretty much like the real thing. If you want to learn the game or enjoy playing it without actually getting taken to the financial cleaners, then this program is worth running, with some reservations. The on-screen comments and wise-cracks get swiftly repetitive even if the hands you're dealt don't. But the most annoying feature when you really get stuck into the game is its unnecessary slowness in dealing cards. That apart, bluffing outrageously, which is the very essence of smart poker, works very well and theoretical winnings can be raked in with growing satisfaction. Unfortunately though it's impossible to cheat...

Read it at Your Spectrum Unofficial Archive

Crash

Use of Computer 60%

Graphics 55%

Playability 67%

Getting Started 70%

Addictive Qualities 65%

Value For Money 58%

Overall 63%

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Producer: Ducksoft Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £5.95 Language: Machine code Author: Tom Pinone Not one of the great social arts, Poker, but you never know where the skill could come in handy. If nothing else, this program could help you to understand all the odd phrases that punctuate the gun fights in Westerns. Judging by the characters that loin you at the gaming table Ducksoft's Poker is set in a very sleazy Western bar. One of the major elements of Poker, the card game, is the power of bluff, by which you fool everybody else into thinking that the hand you hold is better, or worse, than they expect it to be. Duckworth's version of poker introduces an element of bluff, as each character gets a short say while he does the business. The game begins by asking you to input your name. Next, you are introduced to the rest of the card school. Matt Dillon, The Mayor, Black Jake and on this side we've got Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday and Joshua Smith. Molly the barmaid seems to have a soft spot for you because if you are ever stuck, and have no idea how to play your hand, you can always ask her for some advice. As you make your way past Scott Joplin at the piano try and read the page of instructions, when they aren't looking, otherwise you won't fool any of them. Put your thousand bucks stake on the table and sit down. Black Jake deals first; he places your cards in front of you and stacks the others underneath the row of names at the top of the screen (don't be fooled by the guy's courtesy). It you like, you can get the cards sorted into order and if you can't remember what to do you can get another peek at the rules. Watch carefully now as each player takes his turn to raise the stake, to see or to fold. Because you are only a beginner you can ask Moll for a tip. When you have made your choice, look each of the other players right in the eyes as they make up their own minds. Watch Holliday whenever he asks for a beer that means he's going to raise the stake. You can see the value of each player's bet on top of his pile of cards. 'Black Jake says rubbish and throws in his hand' ... 'the Mayor checks his gun and raises'. If you stay in you get a chance to swap up to three cards, and if you aren't sure, just ask Moll and she'll help ya. You keep raising the pot until it's just you and Smith. You have two pairs. Queens and eights. You're ready to go all the way. When the pot reaches 180 bucks... Smith sees you and guess what? He pulls out a pair of Kings and a pair of Tens, he wasn't bluffing after all. You started with 1000 dollars and you're 80 bucks down already. But you can see the boys' loot on the table you're not the only one to have lost an opening round. Sit back and watch the Doc deal another hand. COMMENTS Control keys: as prompted Joystick: N/A Keyboard play: N/A Use of colour: very basic Graphics: good but they lack excitement Sound: nice one Scott Skill levels: N/A Lives: N/A Screens: N/A

You against six, in the POKER card school. Don't try and cheat in this version, 'cos the guys round the table have all got guns. Fortunately all people shoot off hereabouts, pardner, is their mouths.