High stakes poker on the Vegas strip, PS3-style

by Kevin Kelly { May 11th 2007 at 5:31PM }

Speaking of card games, doesn't it feel like poker reached a pinnacle of popularity awhile ago, and is now on the long slide back into the realm of frat houses, casinos, and late-night "Hey, here's a deck of cards" sessions? There was a time that you could walk into almost any store in America, and they'd be selling poker chips and card tables. It's definitely starting to hit the skids now, as evidenced by the complete box-office failure of the film Lucky You.

Anyhow, we digress. At Sony Online Entertainment's game event last week, we played a few hands of High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition. While it might be nominated for one of the Long Title of the Year Awards, it actually wasn't too bad. We played some tournament style Texas Hold 'Em, and the graphics were slightly better than the poker games we've played on the Xbox 360, though the gameplay was pretty much the same. You can't really change that up much.

If you're in to poker, or just like staring at avatars from uncanny valley, it might just be worth a download this Summer, when it releases for $9.99.

Gallery: High Stakes Poker (PSN)

Tags: PS3 downloads

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Zertoss @ May 11th 2007 5:34PM

Notice how marketing cleverly put 'strip' and 'poker' right next to each other and in that order.

sheppy @ May 11th 2007 5:40PM

I'm confused... this is available right now or coming soon? How much?

sheppy @ May 11th 2007 5:42PM

"Yo Shep! Just click da links, tard!"

"The game is anticipated to be available for digital download through the PLAYSTATION® Network this summer for the suggested retail price of $9.99."

On one hand... it's nice to see more variety hit the PSN. On another, helps if I follow links...

Kevin Little @ May 11th 2007 5:42PM

I know it might sound unimportant but the graphics do matter in games like this. It makes the experience much more immersive. This looks interesting.

http://www.ebizmba.com

Taha @ May 11th 2007 5:53PM

I like that it supports the camera, though I already have the free poker game on 360 so im not gonna get this.

Rubang B @ May 11th 2007 5:54PM

I can't believe you guys seriously compared the graphics of 2 poker games. "Wow, look at the bloom on that Jack of Clubs!"

Thomas @ May 11th 2007 6:04PM

Too bad you can't use your PS HOME character.

Kevin Kelly @ May 11th 2007 6:06PM

Rubang, thanks for my first laugh today. You do sometimes find yourself writing weird stuff about these games. "The lens flare when the river card came up was amazing!"

jSn @ May 11th 2007 6:10PM

You'd think if SOE was doing this - it would be a fully integrated part of PS Home - just like bowling. What the hell were they thinking...

Vince UK @ May 11th 2007 6:16PM

jsn

I'm certain by the time Home is open for business, Poker will be just one of the card games on offer.

I for one will be devastated if Cribbage isn't one of them.

jSn @ May 11th 2007 6:23PM

Yea - I mean, you'd hope they'd integrate that sort of simplistic game into the Home system. Sony's dropped the ball before though - so I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't come through here. I personally think there should be full game integration in Home too - as in - if you have a game disc in your PS3 - you should be able to make a group and go straight to the game (with your group) via PS Home. Rather than say exiting PS Home and going to the XMB and then into the game.