Stacked with Daniel Negreanu

STACKED is the best poker video game currently out on store shelves. That said, I am a little disappointed that the title didn’t go that extra mile in making itself a hit.

The strength of STACKED's AI is what holds the game up. The presentation is lackluster, the audio basic and the character creation severely lacking. Even with all that, this is still the best poker game out there. It's just not a must-have.

This game is about a realistic Texas Hold 'Em experience against the computer, and not much else. [Aug 2006, p.75]

Save-game swapping with PSP and organized MTV-sponsored online tournaments only sweeten the pot. [Sept 2006, p.88]

Stacked offers some of the most realistic poker gameplay out there. The game isn't a fast game, and this will bring down the enjoyment level for the majority of gamers.

It's easily the best AI experience you'll find in a console poker title, so if you're dying to pick one up, definitely go with this one.

Stacked lacks a playable interface and simply does not do enough with its modes to set itself far enough apart from the competition.

Until you’ve decided and played your hand, the Pokibot is extremely slow.

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?