The overall impression of the AceKSL software which is used by rooms in the United Poker Network is that it is a functional software with some nice features but also some shortcomings. In particular, the software is not entirely consistent in terms of which functions that exist and which are missing. Also, some basic functionality is virtually impossible to find! For example I didn’t manage to figure out how to bring in more chips or how to join a waiting list from the lobby. The reason that I think this says more about the client than it does about me is that I normally have no problems finding these functions.
You get adequate information about the game at tables without having to open them and you can open tables to look at the game without being logged in. It is reasonably easy to navigate between different types of games in the lobby although the selection is divided between a group of buttons above the table lists and a set of tabs below it where it is mixed in with options, tools and such. Since the tournament section is still under construction in the United Poker Network this, however, has little practical importance at this point. A little bit alarming was the fact that I didn’t manage to figure out a way to join the waiting list without opening the table window so this is, if it is at all possible, unnecessarily complicated. If there is indeed a way to do this, my remark still says something about the slight feeling of confusion that is present in general when first using the client. It is not as clear as it could have been where to find different functions.
No check boxes or similar exist that allows you to enter your action before it is your turn in no limit and pot limit games. These options are however excellent in fixed limit games and in general throughout so it is a shame that this works poorly in big bet games. Cards are magnified if you move the mouse pointer over them – a functionality that is probably useful for some players or simply if you want to have a real close look at your rockets. There are also double text output windows which is useful if you want for example to have dealer text and chat at the same time but not mixed. The slider works well and there are buttons for typical bet sizes. Bet sizes can be typed but the amount has to be confirmed with a click or a return, which is reasonable but could slow down the game somewhat. There is a history hand reviewer built into the table window that is very useful and you can search hand histories in the lobby as well. On the alarming side (apart from the alarm caused by the rather poorly sampled screams and exclamations that you will probably want to turn off) it must be noted that I never managed to figure out how to bring in more money, and I did look around quite a bit!
It is mildly visible whose turn it is, their names blink, but this could have been clearer. Also, it doesn’t say what the previous action was, something that is very useful. E.g. you might want to remind yourself who raised without having to count chips. This is a shame since other information is excellently visible, such as if someone is about to leave etc. Only two tables can be open at the same time but between these two tables the focus works well, tables shift focus and there is a sound effect that indicates that it is your turn to act.
The graphic is clean and ok, especially the elements that are not part of the actual poker game (such as the lobby). The tables show a table (you can customize colors) and avatars that unfortunately are fixed just like in the iGlobalMedia client used at Party Poker. The lists in the lobby could have looked a lot more appealing however, they look kind of like an Excel sheet or something. The chips are and cards are not very pleasing to the eye and for example, the pot always look the same when a player takes it down: a blocky little collection of chips.
The software has a feels smooth although there is a sense of confusion because there are no mouse-over effects. It is not as clear as it could have been which elements are clickable and which are not but this is likely something that you get used to.
The AceKSL client has a number of options and settings but, again, there is a confusing feeling that there is a lack of consistency. Some information is meticulously well presented while other similar information appear to be completely missing. The previous stated example illustrates this: that the client displays better than most other clients whether players are about to post, leave and so on, but it doesn’t say what the last action was. |
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