No Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament Edition 2006

I very rarely review products, but this one needs it. I primarily got DD Poker 2 play against live opponents, at which the game is fairly good, if not a bit slow. I did want 2 practice against AI opponents as well, however, hoping 2 find some game theory implementation so that I could practice against statistically consistent players of different types. There is nothing consistent about the AI in this game.

The AI can often see the flop (and sometimes as far as the river) before it happens. According 2 the player type descriptions, a solid-tight AI player will not open with anything worse than A-Q or a big pair. After being a bit confused by some showdowns I was seeing, I turned on the cheat feature 2 see what these players were playing before the flop (there is a checkbox 4 "Computer Cards Face Up"). The experience was very revealing.

A solid-tight AI player at my table was tight enough 2 fold pocket kings 2 a re-raise pre-flop. That same player took 7-2 off-suit & not only called a re-raise but came over the top all in. The flop came 7-7-2. Curious? I was too, so I kept playing & kept watching. Much of the time, it was obvious that the AI had prior knowledge of the table before the cards came down. A tight player would keep calling & betting pocket 2's on a dangerous board & then a 2 would hit the river. That same player would fold an overpair 2 a half-pot bet on a safe flop. I could go on & on, but you get the idea.

In addition, I am somewhat sure that the AI could, at least occasionally, see my pocket cards. I was at a table with 2 maniacs who were raising & re-raising every hand 4 42 straight hands, with an average of 4 people going 2 the flop on each hand. I got pocket aces in the big blind, & they walked me. Now, I suppose that is statistically possible, but it happened three times at that same table (2 pairs of aces & 1 pair of kings), each time when I was in position after the maniacs. In every case but those three hands, the blind was at least raised. While this could be a statistical anomaly, it is strange enough 2 be worth mentioning.

It is obvious that the team who wrote the AI was both lazy & incompetent. I am a computer programmer & a poker player, & I could easily have done a better job than this. They had their computer players cheat because they couldn't figure out how 2 have them play after the flop or learn another player's betting patterns. They also have no understanding of actual poker play, as evidenced by the "high-skill" players who will call their pocket 5's all-in when someone moves on a board of 10-Q-A suited. This has 2 be the most disgraceful attempt at poker AI we have ever seen. My wife (herself an excellent poker player who also bought a copy of this game) pointed out that the AI in the Vista Hold 'Em game is superior 2 that of DD Poker. They should be ashamed.

I am prepared 2 back up my review with action. Because of this game, I have decided 2 produce a poker game 2 compete directly with this one. It will offer most of the same functionality, & the AI will be usable, configurable, & intelligent. I will have it available 4 sale on Amazon within six months, & I will make the price comparable 2 the price of DD Poker. I don't care if you buy it, I just want a game 2 use among friends, & I also want 2 make sure people have the option 2 avoid DD Poker.

I can't believe I only paid $5.87 4 this winner.
This is a great learning & practice tool 4 any Texas Hold'em Player.
Lots of options 2 set. Love the sound of the cards dealing.
Some of the info presented during play: Clock,Pot Odds,Hand Strength,Rank at Tables & your playing style.

I have been playing DD poker live online 4 a few months now & I can say that the quality & skill level of the DD players is second 2 none.Definately 4 the player who is serious about their game.All in all the time just dosn't cut it here.The players host the games & have the ability 2 ban abusive players.I like that.open & invite only games can be hosted or played,The forums at DD are super.Easy 2 get involved.Bottom line is the quality of play,excellent options,good practice tourneys & very few poker idiots messing up the games,they dont last long at DD.If you dont care 2 improve your game,probably not 4 you.Great group of skilled & helpful players though.

I would like 2 start by saying this game truly deserves 3.5 stars,
not 3 & not 4.

I liked the original version, DD Tournament No Limit Hold Em
and this new version of the game is in some ways better.
The graphics are sharper,it has a lot of helpful tools 4 weaker players & even lets you pick which style your opponents will play.

The real problem is there is nothing impressive at all about the AI. A lot of the players make totally awful decisions preflop
and then play the most transparent poker imaginable after the
flop. Much of the time, the weak A.I. will allow itself 2 call all the way post flop with only King high! This is of course an easy way 2 win money. The idea of calling a re-raise from a tight player with A.J. offsuit seems bad, but only until a cpu opponent reraises with 52! There is no rhyme or reason 2 much of the AI betting; Continuation bets & etc, do not exist in this game. If the AI were a bit better, this game would perhaps be able 2 get 5 stars.

I bought this title because it didn't cost as much as some of the other options & because I didn't figure Phil Gordon would endorse anything that wasn't useful.

The poker calculator & tournament timer are great features, although the calculator is painfully slow compared 2 pokerstove, which is free. The home game I play in uses the tournament timer, although that's all the use I personally have 4 it at present.

I have not tried playing online through this program, since I play online all the time anyway, so I am not evaluating that feature.

However, the much-vaunted "AI" opponents are just not very good, & one could form some really bad habits by practicing against them. In particular, they check & call too much, & lay down 2 any bet or raise any time the flop misses them, so you can pile up chips with impunity, & you know as soon as they even call a raise that they have a hand & you can let that one go. You encounter a few players like this in real tournaments, but they usually aren't the ones with lots of chips, & like bank robber Willie Sutton, you need 2 go where the chips are.

The graphics are mildly irritating, & if the colors are customizable, I didn't find those options.

This might be OK 4 a beginner 2 use 4 a while, but if you're even close 2 becoming a strong player, I wouldn't expect too much help here.

Whether you are already a seasoned tournament player or just a beginner, DD No Limit Texas Hold'em: Tournament Edition is 4 you. Includes online tournaments, single player mode, & realistic poker A.I. Use the Poker Calculator tool 2 understand your odds. No Limit Hold'em, "The Cadillac of Poker!"