iPod Poker
Apple’s iPod has come to dominate the portable music industry in recent years. The word iPod has even become interchangeable with mp3 player in everyday conversation. Whether its music in someone’s ears on the Subway during a morning commute or blaring over speakers at a Party, chances are the music is coming from an Apple product.
As more recent versions of the iPod have video capabilities in addition to audio, the device has become an invaluable portal for the game of poker.
Playing Poker on the iPod Touch
Although play is limited on earlier versions of the iPod (nano, etc.) the iPod Touch can support nearly any game that is normally accessible on the Safari Internet browser. Players can also download games like Reel Deal Texas Holdem by Phantom EFX. Many players run into problems trying to play poker online through Safari, as most online poker rooms require Adobe Flash Player. Apple has remained opposed to supporting Adobe Flash in its products, leaving owners of Apple products looking to alternate methods. Java is one alternative to Flash, but it does not always work consistently in Apple products. Apple has said it plans on supporting Adobe Flash Player in the future.
Playing Poker on Older iPod Versions
The iPod Classic can support some click wheel games, which are available for download in the iTunes store. Apple’s Texas Holdem features a series of seven tournaments; the player must beat each tournament in order to progress to the next level, with the first level holding $1,000 in (fake) prize money and the last level worth $2 million. This game features computer-controlled opponents who exhibit body language like players at a real table—they make smile or shake their head according to their hand, but they could also be bluffing. These aspects add to the reality of the game, putting the player directly into the action. The game also keeps track of important statistics, so players can review their numbers after the game to consider making changes in the future.
iPod Poker Training
Phil Hellmuth Jr. is one of the most renowned players to ever push around a stack of poker chips, and he has pioneered portable poker education with his instructional piece “White to Black Belt Poker Course.” The course was designed specifically with mp3 use in mind. Hellmuth takes players through the various levels of achievement, termed belts with reference to karate. The first belt, white, covers the basics of poker playing while the most advanced belt, black, teaches the more complicated aspects of the game. The “White to Black Belt Poker Course” runs at about $150, but individual sections are available for download, as well.
Players can also gain insight via poker audio podcasts. Some popular podcasts include Big Poker Sundays and Cash Plays (both from Poker Road), Two Plus Two Pokercast, and ESPN Radio: The Poker Edge. Full Tilt Poker has an enormous selection of audio and video pieces, with dozens of different podcasts available in its multimedia section at FullTiltPoker.com/multimedia.php.
The iPod’s functionality as a poker learning and viewing device is only likely to increase as new versions of the iPod are released. Better technology means more storage capacity and better video clarity. Other Apple technology, particularly the iPhone, promises to give players a multitude of poker-related opportunities. The release of the iPad also holds potential for poker enthusiasts, as it represents the potential for a new dimension of interactive, hand-held poker playing. Some players use the iPod as a poker tool for nothing more than a collection of their favorite songs to listen to while playing the game, organized into a single playlist. But no matter what the use, iPods are a great asset for any poker player.