Gamble For A Buck

Astraware Casino brings all the excitement of a casino to the iPhone.  You don’t have to put up with old ladies and the smell of stale cigarettes and you still get all the action.

The game includes 10 of the most common games found in a typical casino:

-Texas Hold’em (Limit and No Limit)

-Blackjack

-3 Card Poker

-Roulette

-Craps

-Video Poker

-Slots

-Baccarat

-Video Keno

-Video Derby

All the games come with a detailed description of how to play.  If you’ve never played Texas Hold’em, which can be an intimidating game, you will still be able to get the basics and develop strategies for playing against the computer.  Playing enough of some games allows you to raise the stakes and maximum bets, which in turn affords the opportunity to make (and lose) more money.   

Speaking of money, there is a virtual Bank that is shown as an ATM.  You begin with a bankroll of $1000 and money can be withdrawn and deposited at will.  Keeping most of it in the Bank is a smart way to avoid losing all your funds and it may even spawn some frugal practices in real life.  The Bank can always just be reset if you get into trouble.  We don’t want this game to get us in deep with any seedy loan sharks or Mafioso.  But the running bankroll does give a sense of accomplishment if you manage to get on a run.

The sound in the game is minimal but consists of typical casino sounds such as card shuffling and dice rolling.  There are no annoying “ambient casino” noises, so playing with the sound on can actually add to the aesthetic of the casino experience.  There is also the option to play music from the iPod library during your game.

The graphics are basic and animation is minimal but serves its purpose.  The card animation can be turned off to speed up the games.  This app is not trying to be flashy and put unnecessary cut scenes or talking animals to get in the way of gambling.  It offers a clean interface of a casino floor to select your game and each game has the standard setup found in most casinos.  This is an app for people who want the closest thing possible to a real casino floor on their iPhone.

Astaware Casino is a no-nonsense casino simulator that can entertain and educate on the fine art of gambling.  While not initially interested, I finally was able to get a basic understanding of Texas Hold’em.  Every game may not be a favorite, but the basics like blackjack and roulette never get old.  This game is currently available for only a dollar so pick it up and escape the harsh economic times by carelessly betting imaginary money.    

If you are a compulsive gambler, this game will only enable your addiction.  If you aren’t a gambler, it may well make you one.