Poker For Dummies (DVD-Video)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Program: B-
The
somewhat notorious-but-informative For
Dummies book guide series is now finding its way onto DVD, and with all the
card gambling hit TV shows, Anchor Bay and Razor & Tie have given us
Poker For Dummies (2004). So how dumb do you have to be to enjoy or
benefit from this or other such programs?
It does not matter. This is a
series that simply goes the longest way to explain everything, which is why it
is so successful. Having it for Poker
when there are so many more important things to learn is amusing, but it is
well done.
Along
with its extra section, the entire program runs only 50 minutes, beginning with
basics, onto bluffs and other tricks and secrets. The only problem is that how many of your
opponents will have seen this or know it and more from other sources. Enjoy, but don’t bet the house, if at
all. The main section is broken into
seven sections that run about 36 minutes.
I have played the game before, but have found it boring in recent
years. This DVD did not change that.
The full
frame, color, NTSC video image is clean and new, so it is not bad, but has the
usual limits and softness one should expect from such a production. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is credited on
the box as having “surround”, but there is not any major Pro Logic surround
information to speak of, so you will simply stuff sound into your center
channel if you play it back in Pro Logic.
Of course, the DVD is to plug the book and an advertisement is included
for all kinds of card guides from the series, following the extra Home Games. Though not for gambling addicts, Poker For Dummies at least delivers
what it promises.
- Nicholas Sheffo
