wouldn't mind playing Texas Hold 'Em (even though I can't remember all the rules I'll pick it up).
It's very straight forward:
- Everyone is dealt two cards face down, and then there is a round of betting.
- After that, the dealer places three cards face up (the flop), followed by another round of betting. These cards are referred to as community cards, because everyone get's the opportunity to use them to make their best 5-card poker hand.
- The dealer then places the fourth community card face up (the turn/4th street), followed by another round of betting.
- The dealer then places the fifth and final community card face up (the river/5th street), and then there is the final round of betting.
Everything else follows standard tournament poker rules.
As for the space it self... while it may at first appear that there is only one poker table, if you go upstairs, you'll find there are four more tables up there.
Each table basically runs like a sit'n'go tournament. Thus you can't join a game once it's in progress, and only ends when there is one winner who has all the chips.
The problem with this is that there is no way of knowing how far along a table is from finishing their game without sending a PM to one of the players. However, by simply seeing how many players are seated at a table, you can usually guess how far along they are. For instance, if there are 4 or more players, it's likely going to be a while before the game ends.
Any empty table is free to join. Just keep in mind, once two or more players select "play", then a timer begins. At this point additional players have just 60 seconds to join the game before it starts. Each table can have up to 8 players.
Everyone starts with $2,000 in chips and the blinds start very low at just $5/$10, and keep doubling every 15 minutes. The other timer to keep in mind is the one used each time it is your turn to bid. You have 30 seconds to decide what you want to do, and if you don't do anything you will then automatically fold after the timer runs out.
What's disappointing is that while you can make hand gestures using the D-pad button when it isn't your turn, what you can not do is to chat with your fellow players... which is really not fun, especially when you are playing with your friends. 👎
I also think the blinds a too low, as a game can last as much as an hour or more for a full table, especially when some of the players are playing very tight.
I was also disappointed to discover after winning a game, I was not given any kind of reward. Compared to other games in Home where it's fairly easy to win Home rewards, this was certainly disappointing.
The other issue I have is that there is currently no option for a player to show their cards if everyone else folded... which can sometimes be fun to do... especially after seriously bluffing a bud.
Personally, for just $10, the PSN game High Stakes Poker is a vastly better game by all accounts, and considering how cheap it is, is a real bargain and has great online gameplay... including both audio and video chat support as well as private tables and multiple rule and setting options. 👍
If that Godfather space comes to my version I'll get it
Just like we do to access the EU, HK, and JP versions of Home, simply create a new user with a NA PSN ID, and you don't have to wait.
Speaking of which, the Japanese Home Theater is currently showing a full length anime film in theater #3:
I'm not an expert on anime, and the film is naturally in Japanese with no subtitles, so I'm not familiar with the title, but it did look impressive. 👍
Also in the JP Home, they have two new spaces to explore. One is like an outdoor carnival of sorts, and if you walk up the ramp you'll get a great view of the oceanside town... just watch out for the roman candle/firework launchers.
Also in this space, you'll be able to talk with the various vendors who will award you with various clothes and items to use in Home. There is also a carnival style sharp shooter mini-game.
The other space appears to be related to the new PSN game,
Spelunker, and starts with you walking down a dirt road in a rain storm, ending at the entrance of a cave, and inside there are several areas to explore and more people to talk with, and more Home rewards... just watch out for the bats and their never ending supply of fresh guano.
The JP & HK Siren Spaces have now added a new game called "Ward of Despair"... it's pretty freaky.
It's worth it though, as there are several cool costume items that can be found as you explore through the abandoned hospital ward and try and get out before being caught and killed.
The
Hanami event in the Asian Homes has begun with special items in the Mall, cherry blossom tress and public gatherings in the central plaza.
The HK Home Theater has also been expanded, and they are giving away Home items from the recently released PSN game,
Gomibako (Trash Box).
Just a quick note to let everybody know that the Shopping Mall has recieved two new stores today, ( so you will have to re-download it ) a costume shop ( it only has hats at the moment ) and Original V-Shirt store which only has one item in it at the moment, but it is free. I believe there's a few new items in the Threads store too ( There are some free ones too ).
Thanks for the heads-up. Here are the new free clothing items found in the various mall spaces:
NA Home Mall
- Threads
- Male
- Torso
- Resistance: Retribution T-Shirt
EU Home Mall
- Threads
- Male
- Head
- Do-rag
- Feet
- Old School Trainers
- Accessories
- Spectacles
- Classic 50s Sunglasses
- Female
- Head
- Do-rag
- Torso
- Jumping Dolphin Sleeveless T Shirt
- Lone Wolf Sleeveless T Shirt
- Legs
- Leggings
- Flared Jeans
- Accessories
- Spectacles
- Classic 50s Sunglasses
HK Home Mall
- Threads
- Male
- Head
- Do-rag (male & female)
- Feet
- Old School Trainers
- Accessories
- Spectacles
- Classic 50s Sunglasses
- Female
- Head
- Knitted Himalayan Hat
- Torso
- Jumping Dolphin Sleeveless T Shirt
- Legs
- Flared Jeans
- Leggings
- Accessories
- Spectacles
- Classic 50s Sunglasses
JP Home Mall
- Threads
- Male
- Torso
- Tembad (by DIESEL)
- Sodal (by DIESEL)
- Kaprix-Service (by DIESEL)
- PSP (by Nippon Ichi)
- PSP2 (by Nippon Ichi)
- Female
- Torso
- TELIT-D (by DIESEL)
- PSP (by Nippon Ichi)
- PSP2 (by Nippon Ichi)
- Legs
- FLOMY