Prominence Poker

About

Prominence Poker is a single player and multiplayer casual sport game. It was developed by Pipeworks Studios and was released on December 12, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Prominence Poker" is a free-to-play Texas Hold 'em game on Steam, where players compete against others and devious AI to build their reputation and bankroll. The single-player mode offers a rich story set in the city of Prominence, pitting players against four factions as they aim to defeat the mysterious town founder. The game also has a robust online community with various events and challenges, as well as ranked modes.

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+19

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,823 reviews

graphics117 positive mentions

optimization8 negative mentions

Prominence Poker offers a fun and immersive online poker experience with customizable avatars and engaging gameplay.
The game is free-to-play, allowing players to enjoy poker without the pressure of real money, and provides daily bonuses to keep the gameplay accessible.
The character customization and unique animations add a layer of personality and fun to the poker experience.

The game suffers from a low player base, making it difficult to find ranked matches and leading to long wait times.
Many players engage in reckless betting behaviors, such as going all-in frequently, which detracts from the strategic elements of poker.
There are concerns about the game's randomization algorithm, with players reporting unrealistic hand distributions and frequent bad beats.

graphics
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their high quality, appealing art style, and character customization options, making it stand out among digital poker games. However, some users report performance issues, including lag and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems, and a lack of adjustable graphics settings. Overall, while the visuals are considered charming and immersive, optimization concerns detract from the experience for some players.
- “The graphics, table layouts, and player entry/exit animations are all first-class, creating a level of visual appeal no other digital poker game has even approached.”
- “The graphics are the best I've seen in online poker.”
- “Great graphics, animations, atmosphere and character creation.”
- “I lowered the graphics as much as I could and it still crashes.”
- “Nice gameplay but graphics are very poorly optimized.”
- “The game is extremely laggy, especially considering that what's being run shouldn't be very graphics heavy.”
gameplay
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
57%
6%
The gameplay in "Prominence Poker" is generally praised for its solid mechanics and enjoyable poker experience, with many players appreciating the depth added by the story mode and customization options. However, some users express frustration with slow gameplay, perceived rigging in card distribution, and a lack of competitive player availability, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game is considered a fun and accessible introduction to poker, especially for newcomers.
- “At first glance, it looks like a standard online poker experience—but dig deeper, and the unique mechanics start to reveal themselves.”
- “The poker gameplay itself is solid and enjoyable, and the story mode adds a nice layer of depth.”
- “Gameplay runs smooth and the realism feel for poker is really felt here.”
- “Out of three hours of gameplay on all the tables I've played, only one person ever hit pocket aces from the dealer when that's a 0.5% chance deal. Yet I've seen more flushes than pocket aces when flushes are a 0.1965% chance. Talk about a rigged game; this is one for sure.”
- “Incredibly slow gameplay and a poor overview of the table make this a no from me.”
- “Gameplay is slow and boring; there are much better poker games out there that are free.”
story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
80%
7%
The story in "Prominence Poker" is described as a loose framework that serves primarily as a backdrop for the poker gameplay, featuring a progression through various gangs and a duel with the town's mayor. While some players appreciate the inclusion of a story mode and its customization elements, many feel that the narrative is minimal and secondary to the multiplayer experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of poker mechanics and light storytelling, with potential for deeper narrative development in future updates.
- “Like the love child of 'Texas Hold'em' and 'L.A. Noire,' 'Prominence Poker' offers a unique blend of poker realism and gritty storytelling that's both refreshing and entertaining.”
- “The loot boxes are not purchasable (as of writing). The game has a very loose story, with you starting off as a tourist in a gambling town called Prominence, and finding yourself in a high-stakes duel with the town's mayor, creatively named 'the Mayor.' From there, you are free to play online for more chips or play against AI to continue the story, going through the gangs and criminal underworld to gain reputation and eventually rematching the mayor.”
- “It's a poker game, but it also features an evolution and a small mode that can be considered a story mode, with final bosses.”
- “In reality, there's no real story to be found here, and the set-up serves merely as window dressing for a tour of some shady locales where you can ante up.”
- “As for the 'story', there really isn't one.”
- “The single player missions aren't much, and there are only 5-6 different venues to play at.”
music
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
43%
8%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its enjoyable and atmospheric qualities that enhance the poker experience. While the soundtrack is described as calming and fitting for the game's theme, some users suggest it can be repetitive and recommend the option to lower the volume or play their own music. Overall, the combination of good music, sound effects, and immersive environments contributes positively to the game's ambiance.
- “With the actions of each character at the table fully animated, and a soundtrack reminiscent of a Guy Ritchie gangster film, it all helps to give a bit of atmosphere to the proceedings.”
- “What I also like about this game is the character customization and all those extras along with the different tables and the relaxing music which brings a great 'poker' atmosphere.”
- “The music is also very calming, so after I'm done smashing my desk into dust with my fists, I'm able to sit back and relax to some pretty nifty tunes.”
- “Maybe they could mix up the music a bit, but that's the only potential gripe I could think of, and that's scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
- “Lack of stage music.”
- “The sounds of chips and cards are average, the music is mediocre, but the avatar voices are bad, bad, bad.”
optimization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
57%
23%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting excessive GPU usage and overheating issues, even during the main menu. While some users noted that the gameplay is enjoyable, the performance remains a major concern, with calls for better optimization and framerate management after several years since release. A few players mentioned that it runs well on mid-tier PCs, but the general consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements in optimization to enhance the overall experience.
- “Just needs better optimization, but otherwise fantastic game.”
- “This game runs in UE4, pretty overkill for a poker game, but the experience is solid, and the optimization is perfect, able to run on most mid-tier PCs at a decent framerate.”
- “Good, free-to-play, high quality, well optimized, great customization, quite unique, lots of fun, worthy and great to play with friends!”
- “Nice gameplay, but the graphics are very poorly optimized.”
- “I would just say it's unoptimized, but the game is always — even on the main menu — skyrocketing your GPU to 100%.”
- “There's nothing to this game that justifies its outrageously poor performance, even at low settings.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
24%
9%
The atmosphere in Prominence Poker is a standout feature, blending a gritty, immersive environment with engaging character animations and a soundtrack reminiscent of gangster films. While some players appreciate the detailed 3D world and character customization that enhance the poker experience, others feel it lacks the full immersion found in similar games. Overall, the game's unique aesthetic and relaxing vibe contribute to a captivating poker atmosphere that appeals to fans of the genre.
- “It's a surprisingly engaging poker experience with a cool, slightly gritty atmosphere.”
- “Well, what can I say, Prominence Poker takes the key elements of Texas Hold'em and makes it simple to play, yet it still implements a cinematic and intense atmosphere.”
- “You are in a sort of dark toony atmosphere among what seems to be a bunch of criminals gambling with dirty money.”
- “It's a poker game riddled with unnecessary dark atmosphere, everyone looks like a criminal, the game has terribly annoying background sound effects like ringing phones, overly cartoony mute characters that have dramatic introductions and transition screens that serve no purpose...”
- “The atmosphere in this game is very captivating, with a jazzy punky vibe.”
stability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
97%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and game freezes that disrupt gameplay. While some players appreciate the character customization and graphics, the overall experience is marred by persistent technical issues, particularly in single-player modes. Despite being in development, the game's stability remains a major drawback, leading to frustration for many players.
- “The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs, allowing for a highly customizable experience.”
- “I appreciate the stability of the game, which enhances my overall enjoyment.”
- “The lack of in-game text boxes and tournaments doesn't detract from the solid performance.”
- “Its buggy as hell and I get stuck on the player who won 'won screen' and the game resumes without any possible pause, escape, or reset.”
- “Game constantly freezes in the middle of a match.”
- “The current problems I've encountered are that the game crashes with 'fatal error' while waiting for players to form a table sometimes, and the game sometimes (or maybe half the time) freezes (in single player after someone wins a hand/stands up from all in).”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both entertaining and lighthearted, thanks to its funny animations, quirky character designs, and amusing sound effects. Many reviews highlight the game's comedic elements, such as the absurdity of poker outcomes and the humorous interactions among players, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. However, some users also note that the game's mechanics can feel rigged, adding a layer of irony to the humor.
- “I love this game; it's fun and hilarious.”
- “We persevered and found ourselves in a hilarious series of betrayals, bluffing, and ego flexing.”
- “Best poker game out there with a great sense of humor.”
monetization
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
64%
23%
The monetization in the game primarily revolves around optional microtransactions for chips and cosmetics, which are generally considered unobtrusive and not pay-to-win. While some players express dissatisfaction with the presence of microtransactions, many agree that they do not detract from the overall experience, allowing casual players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money. Overall, the monetization model is seen as fair, with ample opportunities to earn in-game currency through regular play.
- “There are microtransactions, but I have found no need to purchase any of them.”
- “A very accessible and free way to learn Texas Hold 'em, with only the slightest pressure to suggest in-game purchases.”
- “This game has microtransactions, but they only add chips to use in buy-ins (not pay-to-win, yay!), or for cosmetics, some of which range from silly to sharp.”
- “The character creator is fine, the gameplay's alright, they made winning a hand nicely satisfying with a zoom-in sequence that doesn't overstay its welcome, there's enough animations on opposing players that you can read their body language a bit and see them checking you and other players out a bit... it's a decent game, covered in mobile-esque monetization BS.”
- “The more you spend on in-game purchases, the better your odds are.”
- “Chips are earned either through single player (which is very limited within itself) or via microtransactions through their online store.”
grinding
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
10%
75%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant investment to progress, especially in solo play. While some enjoy the rewards and the ability to play casually while grinding, many express frustration with the slow pace and repetitive nature of the tasks involved. Additionally, there are options to bypass grinding through real-money purchases, which some players view as a necessary alternative.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “It gets tedious watching people do nothing for 30 seconds multiple times in a row.”
- “This slows down the action and makes it tediously boring.”
- “It is extremely tedious to refill table items.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a struggle for poker video games to evoke genuine emotional experiences compared to real gambling, with some players finding the games lacking in emotional depth. One user shared a personal story of overcoming loneliness and depression through the game's wholesome approach, indicating that it can foster emotional connections, albeit in a different way than traditional gambling. Overall, while some players find emotional resonance in the game, others feel it falls short of the highs and lows associated with real stakes.
- “I recommend it since it's the most wholesome approach to poker I've found online.”
- “Before I had this game, I was a coward with no friends and I was so depressed that I cried when a woodlice that was in my room left me because he was my only friend. His name was Woody, as it reminded me of my most loved film as a kid, Toy Story. I always had a crush on Woody, but my mum said that was gay, so I repressed that dream of mine and have only thought of it through Woody the woodlice.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The game offers excellent replayability, particularly for players seeking a "freemium" online card experience with minimal time commitment, earning a high replay value rating of 5/5. The inclusion of factions and unlockable items further enhances its replay potential, suggesting a promising future for its campaign mode.
- “All in all, not a bad option for players who are looking for a 'freemium' online card game with infinite replayability and a minimal time commitment.”
- “There are also factions that let you unlock more items, which add to its replayability and character.”
- “It isn't complete yet, but it's a really clever 'campaign' of sorts that seems like it will have plenty of replay value and should be a selling point unto itself.”
- “There are also factions that let you unlock more items, which adds to its replayability and character.”
- “It isn't complete yet, but it's a really clever 'campaign' of sorts that seems like it will have plenty of replay value and should be a selling point in itself.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The character development in the game is praised for its impressive visuals and unique design, enhancing the overall creativity of the poker simulator. Players appreciate the attention to detail in character customization, which adds depth to the gaming experience.
- “The character design part is pretty neat, making the game more creative and unique.”
- “The cosmetics and character designer are also pretty good for a poker simulator.”

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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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9h Median play time

218h Average play time

3-104h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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Prominence Poker is a casual sport game.

Prominence Poker is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 218 hours playing Prominence Poker.

Prominence Poker was released on December 12, 2016.

Prominence Poker was developed by Pipeworks Studios.

Prominence Poker has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its optimization.

Prominence Poker is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include HD Poker: Texas Holdem, Poker Championship, Governor of Poker 3, The Four Kings Casino and Slots, Poker Night 2 and others.

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