Full Tilt has released a mobile client for its exclusive Rush Poker game. Available for Android phones running Android 2.2 (Froyo) or higher, the Rush Poker app runs on Flash, so it may never launch on the iPhone, but it does bring real money poker to Android users.
Rush Poker is ideal for playing on a mobile phone. The game plays like a regular game of cash poker, with one big difference. When a player is no longer in a hand, he is immediately moved to another table and a new hand is dealt. This means no waiting, no waiting for a playable hand, just sit back and get into the action. There’s even a “quick withdraw” button, so you don’t have to wait for your turn to act; If you’re dealt rags, just click and you’ll “rush” to a new seat and new hand.
If you’ve played Rush Poker on PC or Mac, then you already know that this format is fun, fast, and perfect for the mobile market. One of the biggest problems with mobile poker is connectivity. It’s a mild annoyance when you’re playing the game and another player disconnects, but when it happens repeatedly it gets really annoying. With Rush Poker you don’t have to worry, if a player disconnects at your table, you only have to wait once, because in a few seconds both of you will be taken to separate tables.
The Android version of the game is almost exactly the same as the normal version. You can play in the same group of tables as PC or Mac players, at a full range of bets from $0.02/$0.05 fixed limit to $2/$4 no limit, in both Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The interface is almost exactly the same, except for the layout of the buttons and there are no checkboxes for previous actions. Due to the small size of the screen, the upload bar only appears after clicking the upload button, but you get used to it very quickly. Finally, there’s no option to write player notes, but since it would be slow and cumbersome to use on a mobile phone, it’s a feature most gamers probably wouldn’t use anyway.
Because Rush Poker Mobile runs on Flash, only phones running Android 2.2 are currently supported. That includes HTC’s Desire, Evo and Sapphire, Motorola Droid and Milestone, and Samsung Galaxy S, among others. Several tablets including the Advent Vega, Samsung Galaxy Tab and the entire Archos range also run the software.
In general, the game works very well on a mobile device. The interface is very useful once you get used to the touch screen controls. While it’s not entirely perfect, it plays very well and is the perfect way to fill free time on the train or during a coffee break. Hopefully this will encourage some of the other poker sites to follow suit, and perhaps release a poker client for a different operating system so iPhone or Windows Mobile users can catch some of the action too!