Cards on the table

If you can put its excessively long title aside, World Series of Poker 2008: Battle For The Bracelets is the pocket aces of console poker games.
Activision, the game’s publisher, has cemented itself as a firm chip leader in creating spot-on Texas hold ‘em simulations, but the concept of playing poker on games consoles remains a risky bet.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed playing the latest instalment and its array of new features, but would trade every second I spent behind my virtual chips for a bout of backyard poker with a group of mates.
I know that ‘Smithy’, ‘Gazza’ and ‘Iguana’ might not be as good as Joe Hachem, Eric Seidel and Shannon Elizabeth, but for mine, playing poker is all about interaction, something that WSOP 2008 just can’t deliver.
It does, however, do a great job trying.
WSOP 2008 features a beefy career mode, an excellent online mode and many variations of the poker game, including stud, which is a great variety.
But if enduring the highs and lows of the poker circuit doesn’t tempt your hand, players can jump straight into a final table battle with the stars of the game.
As you progress through the game, hand rankings, pot statistics and a plethora of extra features become available, all designed to help improve your game.
The replication of the poker superstars, including a spot-on version of Chris Ferguson, and the prerecorded sound bytes put the polish on an already shiny package.
It was a great buzz to see and hear Joe Hachem read my strong hand when I pushed in a few too many chips after the flop.
He folded, of course.
The better-than-ever AI isn’t scared to bet big either.
Activision has done a stellar job with WSOP 2008, especially considering most lovers of the game would prefer to play the real thing.
WSOP 2008 is out now and available on Playstation 3, PS2, PC, Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS.
Rating: 3.5/5