Reviews (28)

Games not realistic!!
I played the tournament Texas Hold Em poker and there is no way you can get pass the second round. You can have 3 of kind, and the other player would have 4 of a kind. You can have a flush, 2 other players would have a straight flush. This is what it is like almost every hand. Anyone who plays poker knows you don't see that many good hands out there.
Blackjack is way to unrealistic. If you have a 20 and the dealer has a 5 face up, he seems to always to get a 6, then a 10 to get 21. I played 10 straight hands, the dealer had 4 blackjacks and 6 20's. That is almost impossible for a dealer to get that lucky. And if you see the dealer has a king faced up, just surrender unless you have 21 because the dealer ALWAYS has another king down.
If you want to learn how to play the game, you should get this, but if you already know how to play, don't buy this, it is a waste of money!

I would give this game 3 1/2 stars
I bought this game for under $10 bucks which also included shipping.For that price, You can't lose!I was reading the reviews for Hoyle Casino 2004 which had all the worse reviews I've seen yet.The reason I bought Hoyle casino 2003 instead of the 2004 version is the fact that there really isnt much a difference.Plus with the 2003. I can play without having the cd in my drive. Which is a BIG PLUS! I was hoping to see if the Texas hold'em tournaments were gonna be like the world poker tour.SADLY ENOUGH IT'S NOT. They dont have a NO LIMIT game.It would of been exciting to go all in and see if anyone or a computer match it. But still can't knock sierra just yet.Because it is still fun.I want to try out the new drink system but only if they improve two minor issues.One: They have a no limit texas hold'em tournament and Two: CD optional if people want it in the drive. If you are in the market for a casino game.Get this version because you would save money.But still waiting to see what newer version will bring.So if Hoyle casino 2005 comes out.I'm reading reviews before I buy.Don't want to make the mistake by buying the 2004 version.

Hoyle's Casino 2003 - Best Ever
I recently purchased this from Amazon and received a manual along with it that I find very helpful as I'm new to Poker and Blackjack.The characters are so realistic and it's fun to listen to their conversations.
The first time I clicked on the AutoPlay screen to start playing I could hear sound but my screen went black. I have Windows XP Home Edition with DirectX 9.0. I was sure this was the latest version of DirectX, but when I went to Microsoft's Help & Support Center, on the list was the question did the screen go black. I then went to Microsoft.com and found there was an update called DirectX 9.0B. It took a little over 30 minutes to download this version. When I clicked Play on the AutoPlay Screen this time, the place where you hear what seems to be a frog croaking, it worked fine.
When some of the reviewers blame Hoyle for problems it could be Microsoft has an update that will make everything go smoothly. Hoyle creates extremely clever games and I'm very happy I bought this CD. The only games that can even compete with this are the Bicycle Card and Board Games which I also own. None of the other Casino games can even begin to compare to Hoyle's Casino 2003 in my opinion.

Lot's of fun and good practice
The table games are great and the play is very realistic. The players voices are a turn-off after a while so I play with the sound off. It is a great way to sharpen your skills before a trip to Vegas or AC. I had never played Pai Gow Poker but I learned from this software and look forward to trying it in a casino. The craps and roulette are fun too. I don't play slots in a casino so I don't use the slots on this either.Overall I think this is a good buy for some fun on the PC.

Fun Game
Very nice game. Graphics are well done.Facemaker is fun, and it uses the face I created in Card games without me having to tell it to go find it.The table games are well done, the speed of play is easily adjusted, graphics and audio are clear and crisp.There are so many gmes it is difficult to tire of this game.The slots could be a tad better, in that none of them are copies of real machines.Also the "feel" while playing them is not quite right.They are certainly playable though, as these faults are minor.I gave 4 stars out of 5, because the characters comments get annoyingly redundant very quickly.Of course, you can turn the character speech off if you want. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Bad Software
Couldn't get to load on my XP-Pro System. Crashed my computer every time I tried something to get it to load.When I called the number for tech support, I was told that the free tech support expired and I'd have to pay for help. NEVERMIND! I returned software for refund.

GREAT FOR THE KIDS
I got a new computer, and the old games didn't work with it, so bought this.My granddaughter loves to play Go Fish when she comes over,and she was ticked to death to see I bought it for the new computer. I enjoy playing Euchre myself, so these games get a lot of use.

Hoyle Card Games 2003
Euchre:
I basically play euchre when my phone line is tied up.Otherwise I play on Yahoo!

Overall, Hoyle isn't too bad, but I find that even on the "advanced" setting, your partner is too timid, mostly by failing to lead trump on your call or order.However, they often order up from first with 2 bowers and no support, when they could have had 3 or 4 trump by passing for "next".

Also, 1st chair never donates.

Unrealistic loners, the computer often takes trick 1 with trump or off Ace, and properly leads the Right, but then leads offsuit to give the opps a chance to stop the loner.Even when holding JJ9, AK.

Pinochle:

In viewing the meld, you gain additional information that can be used later in the gameplay.The computer never makes use of this.Say your P in double-deck has 3 aces of diamonds (which you only know after the fact) and you make diamonds trump with a run (so the computer should know you have the 4th ace).You lead the Qd.Your P should play the 10 of diamonds and lead back at least 2 ace of diamonds before playing other suits.

Also, in the bidding, if you are in a game to 3550 and both teams have around 3000, you cannot count on your P to bid even if you have no marriage yourself.This is very frustrating because you now have to bid a lot more.I think it is so the player can have the glory, but I want the computer to play with the understanding that you must bid to win.

Canasta, Go Fish, Old Maid, You Name It!
The Hoyle Card Games are really great! There are many characters you can play against in the different games, with different personalities. The facemaker isn't as great as some other Hoyle Games, but I got used to the difference quickly. The only other negative is that only one person can play the gamesat a time, because otherwise you could see each other's cards. This is a really great game, though! I give it a thumbs up!

Hoyle Card Games 2003
I am satisfied with most games except for Bridge, the main reason I made the purchase. The players take far too long to respond and even longer to play their cards. It is so bad that I never even play bridge!
In hearts, the players make inappropriate comments when playing the queen of spades.
In gin rummy, you don't get a good look at the cards when the game is over.
Overall, the older versions are better for both the games and the characters. I look forward to reviews for the 2004 version to see if there is any improvement before I think of buying it! ... Read more

Features

• vices.

Reviews (37)

It knows what you have in your hand!
This game is OK for the basics, but don't expect anywhere near a real experience here. I can't tell you how many times I get beat on the last card, with just one higher card, say a 9 high to my 8 high. Always with only one card higher! That's not real. Plus, too many of the players are idiots, while a few are otherworldly lucky. It's nothing close to a random draw, and that's what you need for a real experience.

This toy is so fun!
I first played this toy at my friends house and thought, "How fun!"Of course then I wanted the game for myself.When I bought it, I played every game and loved it right away.This game rocks!

Card Games is Great !It's from the experts.
Hoyle Card Games is a great way to learn the finer points or learn a new game all together.This CD is free of bugs; the graphics and audio are very good.Hoyle are well-known rules experts.

have to learn all over again
It takes some time to get used to the fact that you have to play it with the CD in.

Puzzle Game
I read the reviews and was thrown for a loop because 99% of the complaints were talking about card games.I was looking for review of the puzzle games and I found only a few.Puzzle is outstanding, addictive, fun, relaxing and frustrating.What more can you want? ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Solitaire and mahjong tiles are two classic card games now available on your computer with spectacular graphics, fun animation, and great sound effects. Play 30 variations of solitaire and mahjong tiles, featuring large numbers on the cards to make them easy to read. Play by yourself, or with a friend or family member on the same PC. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Beware this outdated software
This software is designed to run on a monitor at 640x480 resolution.This means that if you are using a relatively new computer (less than 5-6 years old) your resolution is probably greater than 640x480.If so, the game area will not fill your screen, rather it will shrink depending on how high your resolution is.The window you are running in will fill the screen, but Sierra fills the space not used by the shrinking game area with black.My monitor is a couple of years old, but was designed to run at 1280x1024.The actual game area uses about the center 1/3 of the screen.The card backs on the Solitaire are so small I have to strain to read them.I guess you could change your screen resolution before you play and then change it back afterwards, but that makes the game too much trouble for me.It is a shame too, because the games are quite good (probably 4 stars) if you can see them.

Not very Mac OSX-friendly . . .
Not sure how this package of games works on a PC, but is is not very Mac OSX-friendly, from what I can tell.(It is listed as Mac friendly, but I suspect it is probably more PC-oriented.)There are no drop-down menus, and finding instructions for the numerous games - - when there are some - - is not easy, either.The printed materials are virtually useless for this purpose, also.Finally, it seems to be fickle about whether it will let you add players.In short:the CD has dozens of games you can play; but if you are unfamiliar with the game's rules or objects, you wind-up having to try to figure it out for yourself.All-in-all, this CD is a letdown and not what one would expect from Hoyle.

There IS an Undo Feature
I almost didn't buy it because other reveiws said the game lacked an undo feature.Perhaps in older editions, but the one I bout last week has an undo for every game I've tried so far.

This game is tremendously varied.It will take months of steady play to go through every game once.The MaJong tiles even have an option where you can design your own layouts, if you ever get tired of the ones they have.

And you can decide to play with someone elso, too!I'm glad I've got it (although it may take more of my time than it should!)

Don't Make The Same Mistake I Did...
When we switched from a Mac system to a PC system,I needed to replace the Eric's Ultimate Solitaire that I had enjoyed on the former system.Because Eric's isn't available, I replaced it with Sierra's Hoyle Solitaire and Mahjong Tiles, the best I thought available. Boy was I wrong!Sierra's Hoyle Solitaire DOES NOT HAVE FEATURES/OPTIONS that are available on other software (not only Eric's Ultimate):

NO "AUTOPLAY", so every card must be clicked and dragged even when winning is definite;
NO "RETRY GAME" - you get one chance and that's it;
NO "HINTS";
"UNDO" is good for only one play;
NO "FLYING CARDS" option.

Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere for a solitaire game and don't make the same mistake I did.

It's great
Hello... my name is Kelly... I would just like to say that i think this software is excellent and extrememly good... the only thing that i wish was that there were even more games for everyone to enjoy the fun of!!! haahaa! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Stay engrossed for hours!!!!!
I also purchased Board Games and Card Games at or about the same time.Since I and my three other siblings were brought up on most of these games back in the 1950's, it is a big pleasure for me to play these games alone or against computer generated opposition.I can't cheat. . .this is wonderful.Also I love to redo a game in case I think I can make a higher score.I love the Facemaker option.So in between my boring daily chores I play Puzzle Games or one of the others.So far Word Yacht is my favorite.As a former English teacher it is a real challange!!!!

Hoyle Puzzle Games 2003 - a disappointment
I have purchased all the Hoyle Collections (Board Games, Card Games, Word Games, Casino); and have found all of them to be superb...Have always said that Hoyle makes the best games.However, Puzzle Games falls far short of their usual efforts.Most games are boring, or a repetition of other packages (Anagrams, Crosswords, Hangman, Mahjonng).Not their best effort; and not what I was expecting from Hoyle.

crashes on mac
iMacOS 9.2 256K real RAM. Have been using system 2 years, no problems.

This game is a `port'. I found parts of the 'games' which will not run on my Mac. Other parts simply cause crashes.

Although advertised as a `Mac' playable game I cannot recommend it for such.

Three kids [12- 14 yo] installed on Win XP home. Report games `boring' and unchallenging.

Gets old quickly
Although Slide Tiles and Edge Tiles are different than the usual solitaire games, most of the games are pretty simplistic.The maze games, although intriguing, are awkward and frustratingto play on a computer keyboard. If you're looking for a mindless alternative to television, this is a good product.If you're looking for a challenging diversion, Microsoft's Pandora's Box is a much better buy.

Great Mixture of Games
I think it has great variety of games. It has some solitaire games. I don't know how to play solitaire but for those of us that do; it is a nice inclusion.I like the inclusion of the tile games. I was kind of unsure if I wanted to buy this cd because I wasn't thrilled with previous versions of tile matching by Hoyle. But here they added some new versions of tile matching games that require more strategy. They are less boring.
The Incredible Machine is a complete version of the game. It is a good game because you can experiment so much in trying to figure out the Puzzles. Unfortunately, there is a issue where the game wasn't retaining scores.
The Word puzzles are great. The Anagrams makes you think about how many words you can make from a series of letters. I liked Hangman because you can choose different scenes to play the game. There are crosswords as well.
There are some arcade-types of games. Some involve running around a maze; which is challenging with the various helpers and obstacles. Time breaker is fun as it is similar to break out. However depending on what is loosened from the wall; there are interesting effects on gameplay.
Star collector is challenging as it is about lining up pieces and capturing stars. I think it is one of the more harder of the games.
This game has something for everyone. It isn't boring. No one really seems to do these compilations as well as Hoyle. They seem to run well. And you don't need the Cd to play the game in your computer once installed. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Friday Game Night is the answer for fun and games for everyone in the family. Grab the snacks and play programmed characters or that uncle who likes to cheat. He has to obey all the rules here and no one has to worry about keeping score--everything is automatic, easy, and pure fun. ... Read more