Poker Texas Mobile TV Games User Guide

: June 6, 2024
: Games

Poker Texas – Quick start Guide
v. 1
MobileTVGames
Predrag Lazic
March 15, 2022

Introduction
In this manual, we give a short overview of the game – Poker Texas by MobileTVGames LLC. You can get the game on Steam [1]. If you prefer there is a video tutorial on the
YouTube[2].
The closest thing to a real deal – a home game of no-limit Texas Hold ’em! Your table, your rules! Invite friends all over the world and have the ultimate poker fun! Once you start the game on steam you will get the web address to which other players can connect – they will only need a web browser.

Before you start

To play this game with your friends all around the world you need only one player running a steam game and everyone else just needs the address to your running game and a web browser.
We suggest that when playing with friends you run a videoconference software along with the game – such as zoom. It makes the game much more fun and more efficient.

Launching the game

Game console – server

After launching the game installed in your Steam client the console Fig. 1 will open in which some messages will appear. Do not close the console – this is your game server running.

Figure 1: After launching the game the console will pop up. (Windows)

After this, your default browser should open up automatically. If this does not happen or you want to use a different browser copy the address shown in the console and open it in the browser.

Naming your casino

The opened browser page should look as in Fig. 2.

Figure 2: Initial browser page for selecting casino name.

You should choose the name for your casino now – it can not be empty and the name can not contain special characters. After selecting a valid name and clicking the button you should be on the log-in screen as shown in Fig. 3.

Logging in

Figure 3: Log-in screen. Notice the casino address in the browser.

On the login screen, you can also see the full address of your casino. You can send this to your friends that you want to connect to your game. They will only need a web browser. To play every player needs a unique username to log in and a password (which can be empty). Those values are not stored anywhere except in the memory of the running server for the running game session. You can use the username and password to come back to your seat at the table(s) if you had a computer reboot (not if you are running a server – i.e. the Steam game) or you closed the browser tab accidentally.

Creating a new table, and joining the existing one

Creating a new table

After you have logged in you will see the list of available tables. Of course, if you just started the server there will be no tables created as in Fig.4.

Figure 4: List of tables with notables created.

Anyone with your casino address who is logged in now can create a new table. To create a new table click the New Table button and you will see the options for creating a new table as in Fig. 5.

Figure 5: Creating a new table. Select options.

Most of the table options are selected by default but you have to select a table name and it can not be identical to already existing tables. Most options have descriptions that are shown when you hover the mouse pointer over them as in Fig. 6. For a detailed explanation of all options see subsection Table Options.

Figure 6: When creating a new table some options will show an explanation text when hovering a mouse pointer over them.

If you are using windows after creating a new table you will be taken to it automatically in the new browser tab – as in Fig. 7.

Figure 7: Joining table in progress.

If you are using Mac and you are not automatically joined to the newly created table press the join button. The same applies if you have logged in to the casino and there are already created tables. You can join any table by pressing the join button in the table list – see Fig.8.

Figure 8: To join a table you like press the join button in the list of tables.

You can play different tables at the same time – browser tab of the table will contain table name and your username. You can also play under multiple usernames.

Table Options

3.2.1 Table Name
Chose the name of your new table. It can not be identical to the names of already exisiting tables.
3.2.2 Minimal Chip value
Select minimal chip value. It can be a decimal value – for example 0.1.
3.2.3 Table Password
If you want players to need password to join your new table set it here.
3.2.4 BigBlind, SmallBlind, Ante
You can adjust by using sliders the value of big blind, small blind and ante (if you want to use ante).
3.2.5 Starting money in BB
Select how much chips every player gets when joining the table. You can set 0 in which case players will have to request chips from the table host. Notice that this value is expressed in number of Big Blinds not in absolute value!
3.2.6 Straddle

UTG Only the UTG player can straddle.
UTG and Later If the UTG player straddles, the player after him can also straddle. If he also straddles the next player can straddle up to the button (dealer) who is the last one who can straddle.
Mississippi – only the button (dealer) can straddle.

3.2.7 Max Time, or Time To call Time….
One of these two options has to be selected. If MAX TIME is selected the time in seconds has to be defined (minimum 30 seconds). If this option is selected when it is players turn to act the countdown begins from the given time value. When it reaches zero if player did not make a move his hand will be folded even if check is one of his options.
If Time To Call Time, Time after Call is selected there are 2 values to be defined. First value (minimum 30 seconds) is the initial time that player gets to make a move. If this time runs out every player at the table (even the non seated ones, and the player himself – he can call time on himself ) will get a CALL TIME button which they can press. If someone calls time the second countdown begins from the second value defined (minimum 30 seconds). If that second countdown runs to zero the player’s hand will be folded – even if check is one of his options.

3.2.8 Multiple runs Multiple
runs is the complex topic and enables multiple runs in situations where at least one player is in all in and all community cards are not dealt yet (i.e. before the river card is dealt). To better understand this setting read the Multiple runs section 7 below.

3.2.9 Rabbit Hunting
The deck of cards is shuffled using state of the art random number generator at the beginning of each hand. If the Rabbit Hunting option is selected – if the hand is finsihed before all community cards are dealt – still all the community cards will be dealt exactly as they would be if the hand was played all the way to the river. The cards that are dealt after the hand was ended will be marked with bunny sign.

3.2.10 Absolute Aggressor
I came up with this name for the option trying to name a game rule we used in our home games. In standard game of Hold’em at showdown after river if there was no action at the river the cards are shown in the order starting from the small blind. If there was action on the river the last player who had aggressive action is the one from which the showdown begins. If absolute aggressor option is turned on the last aggression is remembered. For example if the middle player was the one who bet on the flop and later on the turn and on the river there were no actions that player is considered the last aggressor and the showdown starts with him showing hand.

At the table

Choosing your seat

Once you have joined a table you will be presented with something like in Fig. 9.

Figure 9: Joined the table in spectator mode. You can choose your seat.

Wherever you choose your seat it will always be shown at the bottom of the screen see Fig. 10.

User Interface

Play Scene

Once you have choosen your seat you will be presented with the User Interface as shown in Fig. 10. This is a so called play scene. Another scene exist – called Host scene – see below.

Figure 10: Seated at table (John) the hand is not in progress. Play scene is active with options and colors menus expanded. As compared to host scene – see Fig. 11.

5.1.1 Chat and Hands buttons
Pressing Chat or Hands button will switch what is shown in the black window below the fullscreen button. If hands is selected the hands history is shown while if chat is selected the chat is visible.
5.1.2 Chat message
You can enter chat message – send it by pressing enter.
5.1.3 Full Screen
Puts your browser in full screen mode.
5.1.4 Request chips
You can enter the amount of chips you want to request. Input the value and press the button.
It creates a request that host can approve or decline. Once approved you will get your chips as soon as the hand is not in progress.
5.1.5 Leave
You can leave at any time. If in hand you will be folded.
5.1.6 Stand
You can stand (and take a different seat) but only when hand is not in progress.
5.1.7 Cycle Scenes
This button switches between the play scene (shown in Fig.10, and host scene shown in Fig. 11.
5.1.8 Confirm All
If selected you will have to confirm your every decision.
5.1.9 Confirm Fold
If selected you will be asked to confirm your fold decision.
5.1.10 sitOut
You can sit out.
5.1.11 4color
Use the 4 color deck instead of 2 color one.
5.1.12 Warning sound
On or off.
5.1.13 Muck Losing Hand
At the showdown if players showing cards before you have better hand your cards will not be shown. You can choose to show (one or both) cards by clicking reveal ticks below your cards.

Host Scene

Host scene is available to every player however it looks a bit different for the player who is the host of the game – marked with pink H letter next to his name. On the right hand side you will see all the players at the table – their buyins, current stacks, and profit – or loss. At the bottom you will have also casino address which you can copy and invite other players to join.

5.2.1 Host scene as host player

Figure 11: Host scene view by player who is the host of the game. Other player has requested chips.

If you are the host, as John is in the figure above you will get host request as the one for request chips. In addition you have a horn button to every player so you can honk to draw their attention (also message shows up). You have also a MAKE HOST button and you can make someone else a host. Skull icon enables you to fold player. This is to be used only in extreme situations – requires confirmation.

5.2.2 Host scene as non-host player
As a non host player you will have identical host scene as the host does except you will not get host request to resolve and you will not have make host and fold player buttons as the host does.

Playing the game

Once the hand is started you will see somehting similar to Fig. 12.

Figure 12: The hand is in progress and it is John’s turn.

Betting

When it is a players turn to play different options will show up depenting on the game state. In Fig. 12 John has options to fold, check or raise. To choose the bet one can use the slider or the +10, −10, +1, and −1 buttons. Those numbers will be adjusted regarding the minimal chip value. In this example teh minimal chip value is 1. Also you can adjust your bet using the arrow keys up (+10), down (−10), left (−1), and right (+1). In different situation options screen to make a move can look different – as in Fig. 13.

Figure 13: The hand is in progress and it is John’s turn.

Time for play – calling time

As shown in Fig. 12 you can see a green line and a green number 12 near the John’s name. Depending on how the table options are selected it can happen than when the time runs out – player hand is folded (even if check is an option). Or if the option to call time is selected after intial time runs out every player will get a call time button (including the ones only observing the table) and including the player himself. If the time is called the new countdown begins and after that one elapses the player’s hand is folded.

Showdown

Typical showdown situation is shown in Fig. 14.

Figure 14: Showdown. Ben was the last aggressor (table does not have absolute aggressor option turned on) on the river and has a winning hand. Because of that John does not show hands because his much losing hand option is on. If he decides to show one or both cards he can click the reveal options.

Multiple runs

Multiple Runs is the most complex feature of the game. If turned on in table settings when two or more players are in the situation that some players are in all in they can decide to make more than one run for different pots. Imagine that we have 3 players John with 100 chips, Ben with 200 chips and Claire with 300 chips. They all go all in preflop. The mainpot which is 300 includes all 3 players and they can decide to run 3 times for that pot. Remaining sidepot between Ben and Claire is additional 200 chips and Ben and Claire can decide to run 2 times for that sidepot. Situation can be more complex with more players and some players getting all in on later streets – flop or turn. Again the number of runs can be selected for each sidepot independetnly. The players have to agree on the number of runs and the game host has to set it up in his host scene. He has some time to do it. If not done default is one run. You can see such options that host can choose when 2 players are all in preflop – Fig. 15.

Figure 15: Two players are all in on preflop. The table host gets the options for multiple runs from 1 to 4.

The maximum number of runs per sidepot is 4 times. In Fig. 15 the players have agreed on 3 runs and host has selected that. After that the game proceeds and produces a final result as in Fig. 18.

Figure 16: Two players all in on preflop and selected to run 3 times.

This is an advanced topic and it is not always easy to reach an agreement on number of runs. Because of that it is benefitial to have video conference software (such as Zoom) running along with the poker game.

Aftermath – transcript files

For each table running in your casino the Log file and Hands file are written. Those are simple text files and you can locate them by pressing the gear button in your steam client, then manage and then browse local files – see Fig. 17.

Figure 17: To get location of log files and hand files you need to press Browse local files option. Press the gear button first.

Once in the game’s local files folder it will look as in Fig. ?? (Windows).

Figure 18: Local game files. The log file and hands file will contain the name of the table (ZG80) in this case.

Log file is not very useful but hands file contains all the game information – how each hand was played and buyins and stacks at the end of each hand – file LogFileHands0Z G80.txtisopenedandshow

Figure 19: Detailed transcript of the table game.

If you launch the Steam game several times and create the table with the name that was already used – so that log and transcript files already exist – existing files will be appended. There is time and date stamp for every hand start and end.

Conlcusion

We hope you will have many fun hours playing Poker Texas with your friends! Send us
your opinions and suggestions to [email protected].

Piracy protection

In order to protect the game from piracy we will update the game on the Steam from time to time. In which case if you try to connect with the non-updated game version you will get a message in the console to update your Steam game. We apologize for possible inconvenience but we had to take measures to protect this wonderful game from piracy.

References
[1] https://store.steampowered.com/app/1856170/Poker__Texas/
[2] https://youtu.be/rKRdPAGuRhc