One of the biggest video game releases of 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2, offers players the choice to play poker against NPC’s. How is the poker experience in this triple-A video game?
Where to Find Poker in Red Dead Redemption 2
You can play poker in five different locations in the game after you completed the mission “Who is Not without Sin”. The locations are the Saloon of Valentine, Flatneck Station, the Saloon of Saint Dennis, the Saloon of Blackwater and the Saloon of Tumbleweed.
Only NLHE cash game is available at $0.02/$0.04 stakes.
From a Poker Fan’s Standpoint
Rockstar Games strayed away from historical accuracy for this part of their game. Texas Hold’em did not become the most popular variation of poker until the second half of the 20th century. Even then, the fixed limit version of Hold’em was more commonly played up until the early 2000’s.
At a late 19th century American frontier setting, the town folks likely would have played a Stud game instead.
However, you can’t fault the RDR2 developers for including a game type that their average player is most likely the most familiar with, hence making the gameplay more enjoyable.
As for the poker AI, it isn’t very advanced in strategy. The opponents’ actions are most often non-aggressive, with lots of limping, check-calling and check-folding – with one exception. Post-flop, the player named “Isaac” seems to be the polar opposite, and betting too often. Your opponents also call with wide ranges with many weak cards making them easy to play against. Many of the NPC’s are sitting at the cash table unreasonably short-stacked.
Interesting to note here that in recent years, major breakthroughs have been made in Poker AI. Mostly thanks to Carnegie Mellon University’s software named Libratus. The poker playing AI defeated a line-up of four elite players in heads-up NLHE in a 120,000-hand challenge.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s poker AI, however, is far from the world-class players’ level.
On the other hand, we have to stress that it is not often you get to play virtual poker with graphics from a major game studio’s big release. PokerStars’ recent VR game may be aiming for such a visual experience, but in my opinion, falls short.
The online poker room PKR also offered high quality 3D animation poker. But it failed to garner traffic and closed down due to financial troubles in May 2017.
The Gaming Community’s Reaction
RDR2 players, who aren’t necessarily poker fans, seem to be enjoying the mini card game. Multiple articles have been published on gaming websites speculating whether or not poker will be available in Red Dead Redemption 2’s online version.
If yes, it could provide poker fans a very special experience.
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