Customer Reviews

Hoyle Casino 2003

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

It's ok but if you have an older version don't waste your money there isn't much difference.

I recently saw a television show about Las Vegas and what the strategies were on playing the various games offered there. I'm not a gambler by nature, but the show got me to thinking about the possibility of actually beating the "house" at various games.

I didn't want to drive all the way to Las Vegas to find out, and I didn't want to drop a bundle of hard earned money to just experiment either, so I was searching for an all-in-one computer game that would allow me to indulge my fantasies as a high roller without the risk of losing my shirt, my family, my car, my dog...

Enter Hoyle Casino 2003. The game is well laid out and the action is very realistic. There are an abundance of video poker games, video slots, real poker, real slots, roulette, craps and a ton of variations that I have heard about but have never tried. Each game has a nice tutorial that explains how each game is played. If your computer is fast enough, you'll even see the dealer deal out the cards. I was able to pick up and understand games that I have never played before such as three card poker, Pai Gow poker and craps.

This game is very well though out and you don't have to log into the internet to play. Everything runs from your computer. In my search for casino software on the Internet, practically every one that I saw was an online version. This was not what I was looking for. I just wanted a stand alone version. If you just want to past a few minutes away without getting heavily involved with online gaming, I would say that Hoyle Casino 2003 is just the ticket for you. It runs off of your computer, but it also gives you the option to play online as well.

Most professional gamblers say that blackjack gives you the best odds of winning. I'd have to agree because I've already won $15,000 at the blackjack tables. Ahhhh, if only it was for real...

Depending on what you're looking for, Hoyle Casino 2003 can be anything from mildly interesting to engrossing. (This is definitely the software for Mac users, since Hoyle 2004 in incompatible with OS9 and OSX.)

Your screen will show a wide-angle shot of a virtual casino -- but when you click on a particular section, you're led into a world of different games, from poker and roulette to blackjack and all sorts of video variations. If you're a novice at any game, you may refer to the books that come with the software; or, simply pay attention to the onscreen hints.

Casino 2003 excels at card games like blackjack, offering hints on basic strategy, savvy computer opponents, and a user-friendly interface. Poker is equally challenging, but if you go to the slots, it's up to you to find the machines that are "loose" -- just like at Vegas.

Roulette doesn't have quite the visual spark of the original (though it proceeds more quickly) and the horserace game is a disappointment. The pace for all the games is snappy, and there's such variety that you can easily be engrossed for hours in, say, a poker tourney. A tour of the slots can give you a good feel for the real thing (without losing any cash).

This may be a new standard for casino game software.

I bought this game for under $10 bucks which also included shipping. For that price, You can't lose! I was reading the reviews for Hoyle Casino 2004 which had all the worse reviews I've seen yet. The reason I bought Hoyle casino 2003 instead of the 2004 version is the fact that there really isnt much a difference. Plus with the 2003. I can play without having the cd in my drive. Which is a BIG PLUS! I was hoping to see if the Texas hold'em tournaments were gonna be like the world poker tour. SADLY ENOUGH IT'S NOT. They dont have a NO LIMIT game. It would of been exciting to go all in and see if anyone or a computer match it. But still can't knock sierra just yet. Because it is still fun. I want to try out the new drink system but only if they improve two minor issues. One: They have a no limit texas hold'em tournament and Two: CD optional if people want it in the drive. If you are in the market for a casino game. Get this version because you would save money. But still waiting to see what newer version will bring. So if Hoyle casino 2005 comes out. I'm reading reviews before I buy. Don't want to make the mistake by buying the 2004 version.

Very nice game. Graphics are well done. Facemaker is fun, and it uses the face I created in Card games without me having to tell it to go find it. The table games are well done, the speed of play is easily adjusted, graphics and audio are clear and crisp. There are so many gmes it is difficult to tire of this game. The slots could be a tad better, in that none of them are copies of real machines. Also the "feel" while playing them is not quite right. They are certainly playable though, as these faults are minor. I gave 4 stars out of 5, because the characters comments get annoyingly redundant very quickly. Of course, you can turn the character speech off if you want.

Let me start this review by reminding you that there
a lot online games on internet.We go there, hoping to have fun,and most of the times we do but there are a lot of problems there we find: abusive players,cheaters,slow internet connections,a numerous errors etc.
With Hoyle Games you can have a lot fun without a single problem.
MY computer does not "fight" with this computer game.
I never get any errors or cheats.
I never got my computer frozen as from internet or other cd-rom games.

So...if you really need a Casino video game - chose Hoyle's as these people know excatly what we need.
Praise for Hoyle's Casino Games.

Shot full of bugs. Graphics poor. Fun level, zero.
Not enough info provided about the content of the product at purchase time. I have Hoyle card games and it is wonderful, but sorry to say casino and board are not up to par.

I recently purchased this from Amazon and received a manual along with it that I find very helpful as I'm new to Poker and Blackjack. The characters are so realistic and it's fun to listen to their conversations.
The first time I clicked on the AutoPlay screen to start playing I could hear sound but my screen went black. I have Windows XP Home Edition with DirectX 9.0. I was sure this was the latest version of DirectX, but when I went to Microsoft's Help & Support Center, on the list was the question did the screen go black. I then went to Microsoft.com and found there was an update called DirectX 9.0B. It took a little over 30 minutes to download this version. When I clicked Play on the AutoPlay Screen this time, the place where you hear what seems to be a frog croaking, it worked fine.
When some of the reviewers blame Hoyle for problems it could be Microsoft has an update that will make everything go smoothly. Hoyle creates extremely clever games and I'm very happy I bought this CD. The only games that can even compete with this are the Bicycle Card and Board Games which I also own. None of the other Casino games can even begin to compare to Hoyle's Casino 2003 in my opinion.

Hoyle is by far the worse casino game that I have purchased. It has too many bugs. Every time I try to play my computer reboots by itself and you lose all the information stored. The older version of hoyle did the same thing. I thought the newer version would be an improvement, but its not. If you like to play casino games, stick to Avery Cardoza.

Hoyle Casino by Sierra is great gambling fun. I learned how to play Pai Gow Poker in one week-end. It was easy once I started using the tutorial and in-game strategies to improve my play. I'm ready for VEGAS baby!

It also comes with the FaceMaker program so you can create your own characters with a variety of different features and personalities. BUT, the fun really begins when you find the secret cheat that provides an unlimited cash flow!!