Even when playing with other people, the computer takes its time moving the action around the table, so games take longer than they should. Home Reviews. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. So much for social conversation. And for fake chips.{/INSERTKEYS}{/PARAGRAPH} You're not playing for money in this online poker game, you're playing for pride. And yet Your fake chips have value; if you burn through your virtual bankroll, you can't just make a new stack of chips appear - you'll need to slum itat the cheapertables to earn it back, which will hopefully encourage rational, smart play online. See comments. If you play a tournament, there's no "railbird" option - once you're out of chips, you're kicked out of the room, so you can't watch to see who wins. It's even slower when playing against the computer, where ditzy opponents go all-in on any two face cards or worse and a grating faux southwestern soundtrack drones on a short loop. It's tough to complain about a free game thiswas free for the first 48 hours , but for Microsoft points - ten bucks in the real world - Texas Hold 'em should have been slicker and smarter. It's just puzzling that, with so manyinternet poker rooms to use for inspiration,many of Texas Hold 'em 'selements - play speed, AI, graphics - feel cobbled together and bargain bin. {PARAGRAPH}{INSERTKEYS}As long as you're chatting and betting with other human beings, Texas Hold 'em works, at least until someone loses. Pros Free if downloaded in the first 48 hours Even play money has value Tiered tournaments level the field.