In breaking news, Rush Poker Mobile, which is compatible with Android-based phones, has been pulled from the Android Market. Originally, the program was unavailable “due to maintenance,” but Poker News Daily has learned that offering real money gambling could be to blame.
An e-mail from Full Tilt technical support posted on Droid-Life.com read in part, “Rush Poker Mobile is currently unavailable due to maintenance. While we are delighted at the success of the Rush Poker Mobile software, due to the software being in the beta testing stage, maintenance such as this is often essential.” The Rush Poker Mobile application was introduced into the Android Market last week after Black Card members beta tested it.
On the Android Market website, language against real money gambling games is given: “Apps with gambling themes or that include simulated gambling should be rated ‘Teen’ or above. Real gambling is not allowed in Android Market.” Also prohibited in the Android Market are programs that incorporate pornography, hateful speech, illegal activities, and “gratuitous real violence.”
Rush Poker Mobile’s departure from the Android Market doesn’t mean that players can’t use it. Instead, the application is still available from Full Tilt Poker’s website. A web-based version is available, as is a QR code that can be scanned. You’ll need Flash Version 10.1 or higher on your phone in order to use Rush Poker Mobile and whether the program will return to the Android Market in play money form remains to be seen. The program is not compatible with any phone that lacks Flash.
Users have reported that the application continues to work as normal despite no longer appearing in the Android Market. Players compete against Full Tilt members firing up Rush Poker tables on their computers and a maximum of one table can be opened at a time. The “Quick Fold” button appears in the lower left of the screen and, when you’re facing a bet, “Fold,” “Call,” and “Raise To” buttons will pop up along the bottom. When you click on the latter, a slider will appear in the middle of the screen with options to bet “Min,” “Pot,” and “Max.”
When players are sitting out, a link to the “Cashier” appears at the top of the screen, flanked by buttons to “Get Chips” and head to the “Lobby.” Options available include using animations, dealing a four-color deck, and turning the sound on and off.
On TwoPlusTwo, posters weighed in on their Rush Poker Mobile experiences. One player wrote, “My only complaint is it that takes forever for my phone to load; otherwise, it’s fun, dangerous, but fun.” Phone speed, cell signal, and wireless connection seem to be the major factors in a player’s ability to use Rush Poker Mobile.
Other posters were lamenting at authentication issues, while TwoPlusTwo faithful also questioned the overall security of playing online poker on a cell phone: “TBH playing on a phone is pretty bad idea. There is to much equipment out that can grab information off cell phones.” One poster, however, retorted, “and there isn’t equipment out that can grab information off of desktop PCs?”
Rush Poker was introduced in January as a high-octane variation on the age-old classic. As soon as a player’s action in a hand is finished, they are whisked away to a new table with a new set of opponents where a new hand is dealt. There is very little downtime in the Rush Poker cash games and tournaments that are available.
