Stacked with Daniel Negreanu

GameShark

Stacked with Daniel Negreanu is the best Texas Hold 'Em videogame on the market currently. It lets you play cash games, single table and multi-table tournaments and online on all platforms.

GamingTrend

While the AI has its issues as detailed above, it does a good job of helping players learn how to be better poker players as well as some of the basics on how to bluff someone.

netjak

An impressively solid computer AI and overall gameplay makes Stacked possibly the best Texas Hold’em game, and possibly one of the best teaching tools on the market.

PGNx Media

Stacked with Daniel Negreanu succeeds largely because it comes very close to recreating an actual game of poker. The presentation could have used some fine-tuning but the interface is solid enough. Although not perfect, Stacked is about as close as you’re going to get to a real game of Texas hold’em on your PlayStation 2.

GameSpot

Stacked presents itself as a typical game of poker, but thanks to a pretty intriguing artificial intelligence system, it plays things much smarter than your average poker title.

Gaming Nexus

Beginners and intermediate Texas Hold ‘Em players will love the custom avatars, multiple unique AI, and the chance to play against digital renditions of poker superstars. Experienced players will want to skip Stacked with Daniel Negreanu and head over to their favorite online poker site.

Games Radar (in-house)

Stacked could benefit from more polish and deeper player customization (no, we don't want to look fat and balding, even if we are), but its actual gameplay is solid, and the creepy I'm-watching-you-so-I-can-destroy-you vibe can only help your real-world strategy.

GameZone

STACKED is the best poker video game currently out on store shelves. That said, I am a little disappointed that the title didn’t go that extra mile in making itself a hit.

TotalPlayStation

The strength of STACKED's AI is what holds the game up. The presentation is lackluster, the audio basic and the character creation severely lacking. Even with all that, this is still the best poker game out there. It's just not a must-have.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

This game is about a realistic Texas Hold 'Em experience against the computer, and not much else. [Aug 2006, p.75]

PSM Magazine

Save-game swapping with PSP and organized MTV-sponsored online tournaments only sweeten the pot. [Sept 2006, p.88]

GamerNode

Stacked offers some of the most realistic poker gameplay out there. The game isn't a fast game, and this will bring down the enjoyment level for the majority of gamers.

Gaming Age

It's easily the best AI experience you'll find in a console poker title, so if you're dying to pick one up, definitely go with this one.

GamingExcellence

Until you’ve decided and played your hand, the Pokibot is extremely slow.

Operation Sports

Stacked lacks a playable interface and simply does not do enough with its modes to set itself far enough apart from the competition.

Next Level Gaming

Two things work against Stacked in the end. One, while the computer AI is great, whoever is dealing the cards needs to be looked into by the gaming commission. And it says "Halo With Chips" on the back, which gives the game higher expectations than it should. Being that I am really enjoying playing Texas Hold'em both in video games and in real life, I wanted to like Stacked. Unfortunately there are just too many other Poker games out there that are better, even with less realistic AI.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

If you're old enough to play online for nothing, why spend $30 for an ugly interface and weak action?

1UP

Stacked does have one hook (aside from the Negreanu name), but it's not a terribly compelling one. You're in control of a customizable avatar, and you can convey some basic poker information through your character via frowning, smiling, calling tentatively, or raising aggressively. Trying to simulate body language and table presence is a fine idea, but with such limited options it's more a gimmick than a viable gambit.

GameSpy

Unfortunately, similar products have been around for years now, and unless you're not old enough to play competitive poker on an online gambling site (most of which offer free games as well), it's hard to justify picking this one up.

Game Revolution

Probably because when compared to the likes of World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour, even Hello Kitty: Poker Party would look like gold. Stacked is better than that fictitious mess, I think, and might be worth a rental if you'd like to see some decent poker-sim A.I.

IGN

Its AI is mostly solid, but it generally doesn't play aggressively enough to put a whole lot of pressure on you, allowing you to sit back and dictate the course of play.

VGPub

But the real problem with Stacked is that it’s not worth the price tag. You can get the same gameplay for drastically less.

Cheat Code Central

The tutorial sets the stage for a pleasurable experience, but shoddy game modes, AI, and visuals kill the moment.