Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Strategy
- Platforms: Family Computer Disk System, Game Boy
- Developers: Hect
- Publishers: DTMC, Hect
Square Deal: The Game of Two Dimensional Poker (1990)
Square Deal is a two-dimensional poker game developed by Microïds and released in 1990 for the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and Macintosh. It is a unique and challenging game that combines the strategy of poker with the fast-paced action of a card game.
The goal of Square Deal is to be the first player to win all of their opponents’ chips. Players take turns betting and raising, and the player with the best hand at the end of each round wins the pot. The game is played on a 5×5 grid, and players can bet on any of the five horizontal rows, five vertical columns, or two diagonals.
Square Deal is a game of skill and strategy. Players must carefully consider their bets and raises, and they must be able to read their opponents’ hands. The game is also fast-paced and exciting, and it can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels.
Gameplay
Square Deal is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game begins with each player being dealt five cards. Players then take turns betting and raising, and the player with the best hand at the end of each round wins the pot.
Players can bet on any of the five horizontal rows, five vertical columns, or two diagonals on the game board. The minimum bet is one chip, and the maximum bet is the amount of chips that the player has in their stack.
Players can also raise the bet by adding more chips to the pot. The minimum raise is one chip, and the maximum raise is the amount of chips that the player has in their stack.
If a player does not want to bet or raise, they can fold and forfeit their hand.
The betting continues until all but one player has folded. The remaining player wins the pot and collects all of the chips that were bet.
Strategy
Square Deal is a game of skill and strategy. Players must carefully consider their bets and raises, and they must be able to read their opponents’ hands.
There are a few basic strategies that players can follow to improve their chances of winning:
- Bet on your strong hands. If you have a strong hand, such as a pair or better, you should bet aggressively. This will force your opponents to fold their weaker hands and give you a chance to win the pot.
- Bluff occasionally. Bluffing is a risky strategy, but it can be effective if you do it at the right time. If you have a weak hand, but you think that your opponents are bluffing, you can bet or raise to try to scare them off.
- Pay attention to your opponents’ betting patterns. Your opponents’ betting patterns can give you clues about the strength of their hands. If a player is betting aggressively, they may have a strong hand. If a player is betting timidly, they may have a weak hand.
Reception
Square Deal was well-received by critics upon its release. The game was praised for its unique gameplay, its challenging AI, and its fast-paced action. Square Deal was also a commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide.
Since its release, Square Deal has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Nintendo DS, iOS, and Android. The game has also been included in several retro game compilations.
Square Deal is a classic poker game that is still enjoyed by players today. The game is a great way to test your poker skills and have some fun.
Legacy
Square Deal has had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game’s unique gameplay has inspired a number of other poker games, including Heads-Up Hold’em and Poker Night at the Inventory. Square Deal has also been credited with helping to popularize poker among casual gamers.
In 2007, Square Deal was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The game is recognized for its unique gameplay, its challenging AI, and its fast-paced action.
Square Deal is a classic poker game that continues to be enjoyed by players today. The game is a great way to test your poker skills and have some fun.
Review Score
8/10
