Stacked with Daniel Negreanu

Stacked could benefit from more polish and deeper player customization (no, we don't want to look fat and balding, even if we are), but its actual gameplay is solid, and the creepy I'm-watching-you-so-I-can-destroy-you vibe can only help your real-world strategy.

Simply isn't recommended for experienced poker players. With its shoddy A.I., limited game styles, and strangely vacuous multiplayer mode, most versed card players will find the offering well below both their expectations and skill level.

Until you’ve decided and played your hand, the Pokibot is extremely slow. If you’re used to Internet Hold’em play, this game seems quite boring.

Two things work against Stacked in the end. One, while the computer AI is great, whoever is dealing the cards needs to be looked into by the gaming commission. And it says "Halo With Chips" on the back, which gives the game higher expectations than it should. Being that I am really enjoying playing Texas Hold'em both in video games and in real life, I wanted to like Stacked. Unfortunately there are just too many other Poker games out there that are better, even with less realistic AI.

Stacked does have one hook (aside from the Negreanu name), but it's not a terribly compelling one. You're in control of a customizable avatar, and you can convey some basic poker information through your character via frowning, smiling, calling tentatively, or raising aggressively. Trying to simulate body language and table presence is a fine idea, but with such limited options it's more a gimmick than a viable gambit.

Unfortunately, similar products have been around for years now, and unless you're not old enough to play competitive poker on an online gambling site (most of which offer free games as well), it's hard to justify picking this one up.

If you're old enough to play online for nothing, why spend $30 for an ugly interface and weak action?