With World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets, the intense action you've come to expect from the #1 poker game francise gets cranked up even higher as you enter the largest sporting event in the world - the World Series of Poker, with the challenge to Beat The Brat - Phil Hellmuth! Build the bankroll and face off against some of the world's top pros including Johnny Chan, Chris Jesus" Ferguson, Mike The Mouth" Matusow, Greg Raymer, Annie Duke, Phil Unabomber" Laak, Humberto Brenes, Marcel They Flying Dutchman" Luske, David Devil Fish" Ulliott, and Shannon Elizabeth in your quest to win the championship bracelet for the $10,000 Main Event. With heated heads-up tournament action, more poker tutorials, more locations, and the most stacked list of A-list pros ever in a video game, this year's game is upping the high-stakes like never before!
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11 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Getting Closer to a Real TableOct 02, 2007
By Cheffy
"Chef"
First, if you only enjoy NL Hold 'em, you might want to think twice on this version. Imagine WSOP '05 with more pro's, more games, limit, HORSE, Razz, Stud too. It's a tough game if you play properly, if you play it like an arcade game, you will either excel or get very bored. Now if you like the other poker variations, then pick this up. The AI is much tougher than last years game, and the play seems more like a casino table than previous versions.
The online aspect of the game is where serious players are going to love '08... There are stats. All the things most poker players love deep down inside, the numbers. You can have multi table tournaments, so you can essentially use this as a trainer for that weekend trip to the card room. Cash Games, SnG's, all the things you find online. You do get a lot of donk play, so don't be surprised with the suck-outs. But the overall online experience so far is 98% positive, and I'm starting to get together a weekly game.
Other things to love: There are a ton of achievments. Pro voices A blackjack mini game within the game Video's (White belt from Helmuths thingy is one of the 'goodies')
Phil Helmuth is the 'star' this year, but a lot of the information that scrolls and is shown between loading screens is regurgitated from previous versions with a few current tidbits. If you ever wanted to compete with him or someone like Matusow, then here's your chance.
As a poker player, I can't complain much. It's not Poker Academy, or Full Tilt, but it is getting incredibly close to making me really feel like I'm at the table with Allan, Elisabeth, Chris and E Dog... This is an excellent addition to the WSOP brand.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
a noble effortMar 03, 2009
By James L. Mcdaniel
"phirebug"
this is almost a really, really fun game. it is good practice, but if you are one of those players that gets irritated at bad beats, let this one go. the AI in this game will re-raise you preflop with 8-4 offsuits all day long and hit them with a regularity bordering on the absurd. this tends to make the cash games really easy, but the blind structure makes the tournaments really hard.
on the other hand, it is good practice for beating games filled with really, really bad players.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Ok game to learn fromMay 26, 2011
By Terry D. Sturdivant
"Capern417"
This poker game is ok, and many beginners can learn from this poker game... But it has a lot of flaws, you cant save any tournament games and expect, bad beat, after bad beat, after bad beat, after bad beat, after bad beat... You catch my drift... overall 3 out of 5
Not for avid poker players...Dec 02, 2009
By E. Dexter This game was honestly not much of an improvement over the original WSOP game or the Tournament of Champions game. The AI is still just as terrible and the commentary is the exact same thing as the previous games, such as when Lon says "Here comes the flop" is followed by Norman Chad's "That's what my wife said on our honeymoon" Even the players say a lot of the same phrases as the previous two games.
I think the best part about the game is that is has a lot of pros that you will recognize such as Chris Ferguson, Phil Hellmuth, Devilfish, Phil Gordon, etc. etc. But to me, this was pretty much the only good part of the game.
I was surprised to see people still playing online, though it is rather empty.
If you are just learning how to play, this MAY be a good game for you. However, I would recommend signing up for a free account on one of the many poker sites that are out there and learning the game with play chips (same goes for players who are proficient players.. I'd stick to online)
I gave the game 3 stars only because of all of the pros the game has.. Other wise I would've given it a 1.5 or 2.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Overall its an average game, but good if you get it for a good price.Dec 02, 2008
By J. Jantz WSOP 2008 is mostly a good game with a few flaws. I enjoyed playing Omaha, Razz, and 7 card Stud just as much as NL Hold'em. My favorite part of the game was that you could create an avatar and play as many or as few tournaments in the World Series that you want. Then you can accumulate money and use it to buy accessories for your "bachelor pad." I think it makes the game a lot like creating a player on NCAA Football.
My two complaints with the game are that the cards are very small on the screen and if you don't have a large tv then I wouldn't recommend the game. It is especially hard when you are playing games that have cards showing for each player. My second complaint is that if you are not actively knocking out players then the number of players in the tournament take forever to get knocked out.
Overall, I would recommend the game if you are a big poker fan (more than just Hold'em) and have a pretty big TV (or like sitting really close to a small one).
based on 8 reviews
( 8 customer reviews )
