iPad and iPod Texas Holdem
The iPad and iPod are two of the most successful products in Apple history.
The iPod started as a music player, but has evolved to offer everything from internet browsing to texting. The iPad is a tablet computer that gives users the ability to do nearly anything with this device.
Both the iPod and iPad have become popular ways to play online Texas holdem due to their versatility and portability. And what's nice is that you can find a large variety of poker apps for both devices.
Let's discuss everything that you need to know about playing Texas holdem through these devices by covering how they work, how their poker experiences compare, and some of the best apps for each device.
Basics of an iPad
The iPad wasn't a big leap for Apple because they've been in the tablet space since 1993.
But iPad's launch in 2010 is another great milestone in the company's history, improving upon the screen size, video quality, storage, and battery life of their previous efforts.
Considering that iPads can offer up to a 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro, some people have completely replaced their PC/Mac with this handheld device.
Here's a closer look at what you need to know about an iPad outside of its poker playing function.
The iPad can do just about anything that a PC or Mac can do, including browsing the web, taking pictures, using social media, playing games, watching TV shows, reading books, and printing documents.
With all the functions that an iPad can perform, it's become a more convenient option for those who want the features of a PC with better convenience/portability.
The iPad is especially good for games – whether you're playing Texas Holdem or something else – due to the large screen and interface.
Screen size for iPads ranges anywhere form 7.9 inches for an iPad mini to 12.9 inches for an iPad Pro. The screen features ambient light sensors to adjust brightness and sense when the iPad should adjust from landscape to portrait mode.
These devices have two internal speakers, with a volume switch on the right side of the unit. You'll also find a microphone that can be used to record your voice.
The Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR interface allows you to use wireless headphones and keyboards with your iPad. The keyboard is great for having lengthy Facebook chats or using word processors.
You can also use an iPad for Google Maps thanks to the WiFi network trilateration, which provides information to satellites.
Comparing an iPad Pro to MacBook Air, the latter offers more computing power. If you have a job that requires extensive documents and/or spreadsheets, the MacBook Air is a better option since it performs these tasks faster.
The iPad has a longer battery life, a camera, and is easier to transport than the larger Mac laptops.
Basics of an iPod
The iPod was launched in 2001 as a way to improve upon the lackluster portable MP3 players of the 1990s. Despite widespread skepticism about a computer company jumping into the music player market, the late Steve Jobs proved critics wrong since the iPod revolutionized MP3 players.
Today, there are two main types of iPods in the Touch and Nano.
The iPod Touch features a larger screen at 4 inches, while the iPod Nano has a smaller 2.5 inch screen.
The iPod Nano is irrelevant for our purposes because it only offers a limited number of games that are made specifically for the Nano.
That said, let's focus on important aspects of the iPod Touch since this is the version that you can play Texas holdem apps with.
The iPod is the world's most popular MP3 player because it offers so much more than just music.
Running on the iOS operating system – the same as the iPhone and iPad – this device acts as a web browser, video player, communication device, game system, and of course an MP3 player.
The game system is especially crucial to us because of the many Texas holdem apps that this product can support.
The iPod is often called an "iPhone without the phone" because it offers many of the same capabilities as an advanced smartphone.
This wasn't always the case because the first and second generation iPods offered very few capabilities beyond the ability to play MP3s.
But at the time of this writing, the sixth generation iPod is the latest version and offers most of the same hardware features as the iPhone 6 does.
The latest iPod Touch offers a 4 inch, high resolution screen that's the same version used in the iPhone 5. This screen gives users the ability to zoom in and out just like an iPhone.
The iPod Touch also offers WiFi, which gives you the ability to browse the web like you would with a smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac.
The sixth generation iPod features two cameras: a low resolution unit for FaceTime chats and a high resolution camera for photography.
You'll find a dock connector on the bottom of iPod Touches that allows you to sync them with a computer. This is helpful for transferring data and files between an iPod and Mac.
One more important feature is the accelerometer, which uses sensors to allow your iPod to respond to how it's held. This is useful when it comes to games and controlling the action.
The main difference between an iPod and iPhone is that the latter can be used as a standalone phone and FaceTime app. Unlike the iPod, an iPhone is not dependent on WiFi to make or receive calls.
You can only answer calls with an iPod if it's on the same WiFi network as your iPhone and they're under the same Apple ID.
Other differences between the two include that the iPhone has a larger screen, offers a fingerprint sensor, and has a longer battery life.
The big advantage of the iPod is that it's cheaper, costing $200 compared to $650 for the iPhone 7.
How to Play Poker through an iPad and iPod
Considering that iPads and iPods are both Apple products with similar hardware, they involve the same process when playing Texas holdem.
When looking for any type of poker app, you need to visit the App Store through your iPad or iPod. The App Store will be one of the first icons listed on your mobile device, provided you haven't switched everything around.
The App Store immediately presents you with a number of recommended apps. In order to find Texas holdem apps, click on the Categories or Search feature at the bottom.
You click Get App to begin installing a Texas holdem game that you're interested in. Once installation process is complete, you may be asked to allow notifications or access to certain aspect of your device.
Some apps also prompt you to buy chips and invite friends from Facebook. You need to put a credit card or other payment method on file to purchase chips, and nothing will be charged until you verify chip purchases.
Playing at real money poker sites through your iPad or iPod is relatively the same, as you search the App Store and download the desired poker app.
Most online poker rooms have more deposit options than what you'll see available through the social poker apps. This helps serve a broader range of players who can't use certain payment methods in their area.
Some real money poker rooms not only offer apps, but also the ability to play through a web browser. Unfortunately, iPad and iPod users have more difficulty accessing in browser play with iOS.
This is because you need an Adobe Flash program to use in browser play. And since Apple and Adobe have a long standing feud dating back to 2010, Flash isn't readily available to iPad and iPod users.
You can get around this problem, though, by downloading standalone apps through the App Store, like Puffin Browser and Photon Flash Player.
How Do I Find the Best iPad and iPod Poker Apps?
The App Store makes it easy to find good Texas holdem games by offering ratings next to each one. These ratings consist of 1 to 5 stars, with most apps having between 4 and 5 stars.
When you click Get App, you'll have the option to read more detailed reviews by customers who've used them.
Another option includes googling each app and looking for detailed reviews. You won't find every app reviewed, but some of the most popular Texas holdem apps are covered on different websites.
One more route includes downloading apps, trying them, and keeping/deleting them. This is more time consuming, but it also provides a nice hands on way to finding good poker apps.
iPad vs. iPod Texas Holdem
The differences between iPad and iPod poker aren't significant, but they do exist. Here are a few of the most notable differences that you'll find between the two.
If you want to see the avatars, cards, tables, and backgrounds up close, then you'll want to play Texas holdem with your iPad.
As mentioned earlier, the iPad Pro offers a 12.9 inch screen, which is much larger than the iPod Touch's 4 inch screen. An iPod is mainly good for recreational poker players who just want to enjoy hands here and there.
Another benefit of the iPad is that you can multi table – a.k.a. playing multiple poker tables simultaneously.
An iPad's screen is bigger, which allows you to fit more tables onscreen.
While some iPod poker apps allow for multi tabling, it's much harder when you're doing so on a tiny screen.
You can't beat the portability of an iPod Touch, considering that it's smaller than a smartphone and feels like you're sticking a pack of gum in your pocket/purse.
While iPads are smaller than the average PC, they still aren't pocket sized by any means. If you play a lot of poker on the go, the iPod is a superior choice.
One more factor to consider is what you primarily use your mobile device. If it's music, then the iPod is handy for listening to your favorite songs while playing a few poker hands.
If you're watching movies, creating spreadsheets, and browsing the web, an iPad allows you to multi task in between poker hands.
Best iPad and iPod Poker Apps
Dozens of quality poker apps have sprung up, with some dedicated purely to recreational players while others cater to serious poker players.
If you want to cut down on the time needed to look at a bunch of different apps, check out some of our favorites below.
888poker iPad OnlyWith how large 888poker is, we're surprise that they're not optimized for iPods. But if you have an iPad, it's definitely worth checking out this real money poker site.
For one thing, 888poker usually offers free money upfront to try their real money tables. Now they're offering $88 in cash game funds and tournament tickets.
You can also look forward to a wide range of freerolls and other promotions at 888.
Our one complaint about 888poker is that the VIP rewards and rake aren't as favorable as what you'll find at other mobile poker sites.
Fresh Deck PokerThis game is good for social players who like customizing their avatar and chatting with others. The avatar customization features are among the best in the business.
Another benefit to Fresh Deck Poker is that you can start games on your iPad and finish them through an iPod or iPhone.
The downside to Fresh Deck is that it only offers the bare minimum with regard to poker action and game selection.
Governor of Poker 3Governor of Poker is so popular that it has become a trilogy, with the third game now offering multiplier action.
Governor of Poker 3 offers a fun Wild West theme, and the goal is to play your way to the high stakes saloons. This makes for a role playing element that keeps you wanting to play for hours.
The chat box is also livelier on Governor of Poker than other apps due to the heavy social gaming crowd that it draws.
This definitely isn't a game that's going to push your poker skills to the limit because the competition is weak. But you can still have a great time thanks to the RPG and Wild West elements.
PokerStarsIf you want to play real money poker on your iPad and iPod, then PokerStars has a lot to offer.
For starters, they're the world's largest real money poker room, giving you a huge selection of cash games and tournaments.
PokerStars doesn't have the type of free money offers that 888 does, but they're the best poker site in terms of loyalty rewards.
The only problem with PokerStars is that it features a serious online setting with no room for fun avatars and table backgrounds.
Texas Holdem Poker Offline 2As the name implies, Texas Holdem Poker lets you enjoy games online and offline. The latter is great for those times when you just want to play a few hands when no WiFi is available.
Texas Holdem Poker Offline 2 offers multi tabling – something that's rare for a social gaming app. You can also look forward to anime style avatars and unique table backgrounds.
Drawbacks include no chat function and slow gameplay. This is a relatively new app, so hopefully these problems are worked out in the future.
World Series of PokerDeveloped by EA, the World Series of Poker WSOP app does a solid job of mimicking the experience of the real WSOP.
This game sees you accumulate WSOP gold bracelets and circuit rings as you win tournaments. The WSOP app has even offered prize packages to live WSOP events!
Another benefit to WSOP is the game selection because you can look forward to Texas holdem, Omaha, and pot limit Omaha cash games.
But keep in mind that this app doesn't offer much in the way of stylish backgrounds and avatars.
Zynga PokerAlong with the WSOP and PokerStars, Zynga has instant recognition around the globe.
Zynga Poker has millions of users, which makes finding cash games and tournaments a breeze.
They also offer several different formats, including Jump, Shootout, sit and go, and multi table tournaments.
Jump is a fast fold variant that gives you a new hand immediately after your action in the current hand is finished. While many real money poker rooms offer fast fold variants, it's rare for a social gaming app to do so.
The only thing that we wish Zynga would do differently is run less spam and prompts to buy more chips.
Unibet Poker iPad OnlyUnibet offers another real money poker option for iPad users.
What makes Unibet Poker stand out is that it combines real money poker with all of the entertaining aspects that you find in social gaming apps.
You can choose from over 100 avatars, complete missions, and earn over 40 achievements.
Unibet also offers safeguards to protect recreational players from sharks, including the ability to change your screen name every 3 days and automatic seating.
The one problem with Unibet Poker is that it's not as big as most other poker apps in this list, making it harder to find large tournaments and full cash tables.
On the other hand, this site isn't so small that you'll have to wait for 15 20 minutes just to play.
Conclusion
The apps above only represent a fraction of the exciting and unique poker experiences that you can enjoy through an iPad or iPod.
If you visit the App Store, you'll find dozens of quality apps that you can play at any time, whether you're sitting around the house or taking a work break.
As for what device you use to play mobile poker on, this is largely solved by what device you own. If you own both an iPad and iPod, then it's important to note the advantages of each device.
Generally, iPod poker is good if you're looking for supreme portability and/or music is really important to you.
An iPad offers a larger screen and is compatible with more real money poker sites. You can also better perform basic computing tasks on an iPad, such as creating spreadsheets and documents.
But regardless of which device you choose, you'll be able to enjoy entertaining poker action on a variety of apps.