Online Poker Controllers
The days when all an online poker player needed to crush the game was a computer screen and a mouse are now but a dim and distant memory. To get ahead in the modern game you need multiple monitors, powerful processors and handheld controllers that allow you to play a stack of tables. In this month’s Stuff we look past the flashing LEDs and funky buttons to bring you the lowdown on the leading poker controllers on the market.
Easy Pokerpad
If retro (think Nintendo NES-style retro) is cool then this thing could be considered ice-cold. The makers of the Easy Pokerpad have consciously forgone the virtues of style in an attempt to deliver unparalleled performance at the tables. Unfortunately, this product’s clout at the table is almost as blunt as its looks and it struggles to cope with multiple tables, a standard for many serious players. The Pokerpad’s compatibility is better than most but it that doesn’t mean you can plug and play on every site in operation. For those it does work on the interface is simple and most moves can be performed relatively swiftly.
Adding more than two tables becomes problematic though as you are forced to manually switch between each game, meaning you lose vital seconds from your decision making time. Without the help of a Delorean and Doc Emmett Brown this product struggles against some of the more flashy and sophisticated looking products on the market. The £40 price tag makes it one of the cheaper controllers on the market, but for that money you can also purchase a good quality mouse that will allow you to multi-table much more effectively.
SCORES
Looks – 1
Ease of Use – 2
Compatibility – 3 (Blue Sq, Sky Poker, Ladbrokes, Titan, Winamax, 888, Dusk Till Dawn, Pokerstars)
Overall – 2
Poker Controls
$99.99; www.pokercontrols.com
Continuing the 80’s theme that seems to be developing through these reviews, the best way to describe Poker Controls product is like something you might find in the film Flight of the Navigator. This control is easily the most stylish looking of all the control pads featured and if this was where the review stopped then it would be our top pick hands down. Style over substance has often been the undoing of many products though and a plethora of bells and whistles doesn’t necessarily mean an epoch making product. While Poker Controls pad certainly isn’t a modern technological breakthrough it is a solid piece of kit with excellent functionality; albeit in a limited capacity. By the company’s own admission their device is best used when playing 1-4 tables and this certainly rung true during our road test. The pre-defined betting options mean that once you’ve activated your desired table the action is swift; however, it’s the getting to that table which can be tricky.
The integrated mouse pad is a handy back-up if the shift keys fail, although the “raise-o-meter” is a little loose which means getting to the right raise amount is often hit and miss. By far the most impressive feature is the tilt button, which freezes you out of the action for a pre-set amount of time in order for you to regain your composure and save your precious dollars. Ergonomically the product is a little cumbersome but overall this product is one of the better all-in-one controllers on the market and certainly worth the $99 RRP.
SCORES
Looks – 5
Ease of Use – 2
Compatibility – 4 (All major rooms: Pokerstars, Full Tilt, Party Poker, Cake Poker, 888, UB, Titan and Absolute)
Overall – 4
PokerMouse
$99; www.pokermouse.com
Continuing the “retro is the new modern” theme, this product looks and feels just like it’s been lifted straight from a Scaletrix box. As the name suggests the Pokermouse is exactly that, a mouse that has been nipped and tucked into a quaint device, perfect for playing online poker. The roller ball makes for an easy transition between tables but, like many similar products, the ability to play more than 3 or 4 tables is tricky. Indeed, any more than four tables and losing your bankroll will become the least of your worries as RSI will see you virtually crippled in less than 15 minutes.
The absence of any auto keys means that you have to highlight each table when you are required to act, however, this is no different than using your standard mouse and is actually more efficient than using a designated hotkey. Bet sizing is controlled using either the clicker or the rollerball with both options providing fairly accurate and speedy movements. The Pokermouse has a wireless range of up to 8 metres and while impressive it does become somewhat of a redundant feature unless you play poker on a cinema sized screen. The $99 price tag puts it in line with many top end controllers on the market and in many respects it delivers one of the best performances. My opinions on the product are mixed but, according to the company, “the market loves it” and who am I to argue with that.
SCORES
Looks – 3
Ease of Use – 3
Compatibility – 5 (All sites)
Overall – 3
Razer Naga Gaming Mouse
£59.99; www.amazon.co.uk
“Elky” paved the way for virtual gamers in the online poker world and now the Razer Naga is doing the same for gaming technology. Forget your bog-standard £20 mouse from PC World, this little baby is a sleek, all-singing, all-dancing mouse that has unrivalled accuracy and efficiency. Built for hardcore gamers this mouse is perfectly poised, offering ergonomic excellence that makes multi-tabling a breeze. The in-built keys mean you can programme in various AHK scripts giving you the ability to further refine your movements thereby reducing the danger of a costly mis-click.
For the techno geeks amongst you the Naga operates a 5600dpi Laser Sensor, has a 200 inches per second max tracking speed and clocks 1000Hz (1ms) response time. This product is by far and away WPT’s top pick as it combines ultimate comfort and style with speed and accuracy. While the other controls are looking to bring something new to the market, this product takes what the market already has and does it better than anything before it. If you’re a serious player and want something that’s functional rather than gimmicky, the Naga is the perfect choice. Pricewise, when you consider this product against the others in this review, this mouse is excellent value at just under £60 and will stand you in good stead throughout even the toughest online sessions.
SCORES
Looks – 4
Ease of Use – 5
Compatibility – 5 (All sites)
Overall - 5 |
