Poker is so popular that many gaming developers are looking to integrate poker gaming simulators in their next games. They have noticed players' interest and passion for the casino game. They know that having a poker minigame will help boost their game's sales.
However, it's not just about having a poker minigame. That minigame has to be of the highest possible quality. Otherwise, players will turn to other games with better poker minigames.
So, what are some of the features of a great poker gaming simulator? What does it take to make a great poker simulator?
And, most importantly, which games have some great poker gaming simulators?
Read on to find out!
What is a poker gaming simulator?
A poker gaming simulator is essentially a computer program or software that offers a virtual poker experience.
Poker simulators recreate a poker game in a virtual setting. They offer a remote casino experience.
The best poker gaming simulators are often very realistic and immersive. They capture the essence and atmosphere of real-life casinos.
For example, the best poker simulators usually offer:
- Quick and smooth gaming (no buffering, quick payouts)
- A wide range of gameplay optionsÂ
- High-definition and realistic visualsÂ
- A realistic casino soundscape and high-quality sound design
Some poker operators even go as far as offering live dealer games to their paying customers. These types of poker simulators include a live dealer and make the experience even more realistic.
The best gaming developers and online operators understand that they need excellent simulators to make excellent poker games.
They understand how important a good simulator is for a player's overall experience and how it can help attract and retain customers. Making a perfect simulation of online poker can make or break a players experience within the game as you want it to be as accurate as it can be.
The three most reputable and popular poker simulators are:
- Power EquilabÂ
- PokerSnowie
- PioSOLVER
Their software and programs are purchased and integrated into many games by gaming developers.
Which open world game provides the best poker gaming experience?
Open world video games are virtual worlds where the player's objectives can be completed in almost any order. In other words, players have the freedom to complete objectives as they wish, go on side quests or stop to play a minigame.
Open world games are different from more traditional games with a linear gameplay. A linear gameplay usually requires players to complete objectives in a certain order.
Some of the most iconic open world games include:
- The Legend of Zelda
- Grand Theft Auto VÂ
- Minecraft
But which open world game offers the poker minigames? It's Red Dead Redemption II.
- Red Dead Redemption IIÂ
Red Dead Redemption II is one of the most famous and beloved open world games there is. It is consistently ranked in the top five open world games.
The game was released nearly seven years ago but remains incredibly popular.
It owes its success to its great storyline, well-written characters, high-quality visuals and wide range of gameplay options.
The most popular gameplay options in Red Dead Redemption II include:
- RobberiesÂ
- ShootoutsÂ
- Horseback ridingÂ
- Poker gaming in saloons
If you like poker and Wild West-themed games, then Red Dead Redemption II is for you. The entire game takes place in the Wild West of the late 19th century.
To access the poker gameplay option, you can head to one of the gaming saloons or parlours. There are several throughout the game.
Some of them are only accessible after finishing the main storyline. Others are accessible after completing some earlier missions.
We recommend heading to Saint Denis after the Rhodes' story quests for a great game of poker. Another good option is Blackwater and/or the Rhodes Parlor.
Of course, there are many more poker saloons and parlours to discover in Red Dead Redemption II. Have fun looking for them and unlocking new ones throughout the game!
If you ever get bored of poker, you can also play blackjack and dominoes.
Red Dead Redemption II is available on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Honourable mentions
If you have already tried Red Dead Redemption II, then give these other open-world games a go. They also include some fun poker minigames:
- Far Cry 3Â
- Hard West 2 (part open world)
- GTA Online
They are all great games and very entertaining to play by yourself or with friends.
Final thoughts
In this article, we discussed poker gaming simulators. We then listed some of the best open world games with poker options.
We hope you have fun trying some of these games out.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of our list and if you have other poker games to recommend.