February 4, 2005

By VICTOR GODINEZ / The Dallas Morning News

If you're a serious poker player, you've already discovered the world of online poker and the digital fortunes it promises.

But for greenhorns like me, or relentless poker fanatics who just have to get their fix even when they're not in front of their computers, there are some entertaining options.

Saitek's No Limit Texas Hold 'Em
Grade: B
Price: $49

Saitek Saitek’s handheld system offers help if you’re new to poker.

This dedicated handheld poker system is a little bulky – it's bigger than a Nintendo DS system – and pricey, but it gets the job done.

Players take on three computer opponents, and the large, black-and-white LCD screen makes it easy to see all the cards.

This handheld is clearly targeted at newbies. There's a little "Hint" button on the side that tells you whether you should raise, call or fold, and the plastic cover has a helpful chart showing the rank of winning hands. Don't know whether a flush beats a straight? Don't even know what a flush is? This is your system.

There's no multiplayer mode to play against other human players, but think of this as training wheels poker.

JAKKS Pacific's World Poker Tour
Grade: B+
Price: $24

This little unit isn't portable unless you have a portable TV, but it is a self-contained game system, which means no PC, console or handheld system such as a Game Boy is needed to play. Just plug the video and audio cables into the TV and it's ready.

While the main action takes place on the TV, there's also a mini LCD screen in the handset.

So when playing against other human players – the game supports as many as six players – just pass the controller around, and each player will see his or her face-down cards on the LCD screen.

The graphics are pretty low-resolution, but it's clear what's going on.

Plus, it comes with some nifty extras, such as a little booklet explaining the rules and terms of No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker with a chart on the back of hand rankings.

There's even an instructional DVD for a little more guidance.

Majesco's Texas Hold'em Poker
Grade: B-
Price: $19

This Game Boy Advance title looks great, plays well and supports as many as nine computer opponents, but the lack of a human multiplayer option really sticks out.

Placing bets and navigating through the menus is easy enough, but very little of the table can be seen at any one time. So when it's someone else's turn, the camera zooms across the table to their cards, and it gets a little annoying. Plus, the developers failed to take advantage of the GBA's link capabilities, so play against friends is out.

The game is pretty user-friendly but doesn't provide a hint button the way the Saitek unit does, so you've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.