Full Tilt Rolls Out Beta Software

Recently, the world's second largest online poker site, Full Tilt Poker, rolled out a beta version that completely overhauls its back-end system. Word broke of the brand new beta installment of Full Tilt on online poker forums like PocketFives and TwoPlusTwo. The software, which is currently only available for Windows, installs in a separate directory from your existing version. Therefore, it won't interfere with your current settings, hand histories, and any other unique functions.

The beta version is a completely separate download of about 40 megabytes. It took my 10 year-old Gateway that runs Windows 98 about four minutes to download. Installation was a breeze. You can run the beta version in a variety of different languages. In addition to English, you'll find two types of Chinese along with Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. You'll then accept the Terms and Conditions of the software, pledging not to sue Full Tilt in the event that your laptop catches fire.

Only Windows users are currently able to compete on the beta version, as it is not yet available for the Mac. Remember that Full Tilt Poker is one of only two online poker sites (PokerStars is the other) that offer fully-downloadable Mac versions. In the meantime, Mac users will have to sit idly by and hear about the latest and greatest addition to Full Tilt from their friends with Windows operating systems. A Mac beta version is expected within a few weeks.

The beta installation includes a flurry of graphics, loading nearly 100 "Pro" and "Player" avatars as well as graphics for the cards, table, and lobby. When you check out the main lobby, you'll be greeted with a familiar look:



The beta lobby is divided by Real Money and Play Money on the top as well as Hold'em, Omaha High-Low, Omaha High, Stud High-Low, Stud High, and Razz. Below that are selections for Mixed Games, Tournaments, Sit and Gos, Special tournaments, and Pro Chats. A checkbox in the lower right corner of the lobby allows you to filter out full tables. I had mine selected and saw that there were over 20,000 ongoing tables and over 60,000 players logged in at the time of writing, which was during the mid-afternoon in North America.

Standard avatars were the norm in the beta version of Full Tilt Poker. It is unclear how existing avatars will interact with the new graphics package on the online poker site. A post by a Full Tilt Poker representative on PocketFives.com cautioned beta testers, "The graphics are very different. This is mostly good news since they're much sharper and prettier in general. It will, however, break all custom graphics and possibly HUDs." I was unable to get any backgrounds to display when I fired up the new version. However, here's a look at the table, which appears in more of a rectangular HD-like screen:



You can tile with ease in the new beta version. Even my lackluster old computer resized Full Tilt's tables in a few seconds. It's really easy to tell what cards are in the center of the table, as the numbers on them increase in size dramatically. Here's a close-up look at a smaller table so you can see how the graphics change:



Full Tilt Poker has stressed the increased speed of its beta version due to a number of changes that took place behind the scenes. According to the same thread on PocketFives.com, "If you've had any trouble with the performance of the game that you're sure isn't related to your internet connection (improvements in that area are still coming), then I suggest giving this beta a try."

Users can submit bugs to Full Tilt Poker while they are giving the updated version a test drive. In addition, the site has alluded to freerolls and other forms of appreciation to its beta users. Many have questioned how custom avatars will interact with the improved graphics interface of the beta version, which uses 92 dpi images. A bevy of issues associated with getting PokerTracker, Holdem Manager, and other programs to interact with the new beta have also crept up. In addition, random errors like hole cards not showing up have also occurred. The bottom line is to proceed with caution. After all, it is only in beta mode.

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