Rating: 
Summary: Play away!
Review: After starting up the program, you'll see a ring of card games from which to choose -- including a few you're probably not familiar with. Hoyle does a good job at teaching you the basics so you can play even the more advanced ones with little startup time.Solitaire games are a dime a dozen, but the clear cards and speed makes for a nice gaming experience -- even though you could have done the same thing by pulling out a deck. Hoyle is more interesting when you have opponents to play against, but if you want games like poker or blackjack, you'll have to buy Hoyle Casino (the flagship of the Hoyle series). It's certainly likable and well done, but your own interest will depend on how many new card games you can learn.
Rating: 
Summary: Great fun!
Review: Although this version still has some bugs (in Canasta it allows players to open with the number of wild cards equal to or more than the natural cards) it still is a blast to play! Just pretend that the "table" rules are different when you play and you'll be just fine. I hope I can remember when I'm playing real people. I especially like the "revenge" button! I like this so much, I'm buying another for a friend for Christmas.
Rating: 
Summary: Mac users watch out
Review: As a Mac user, I was very disappointed to find out that these games are not native under MacOS X. It'll be two years in March that OSX was released, and the folks doing Mac development for Hoyle are way behind the curve. It's not going to be sufficient to keep cranking out slightly different Hoyle games each year so long as OSX support is missing. All that aside, the net play is misleading, to say the least. The games in the package do not allow for net play. Rather, it launches a website that has a selection of games, some very different from those in this set. Furthermore, small print on the back of the box again adds disappointment for Mac users - the web site does not allow Mac users to play.
Rating:
Summary: You're playing against your partner too!
Review: Characters are very stupid especially when playing a Spades game. After playing for a while, you discover that your partner is stupid and is getting you in trouble. You end up playing against your partner, by correcting his/her mistakes, as well as against the other team. Overall, the game is not bad; looking at its graphics and comparing it to other card games on the market.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Software
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Hoyle Card Games 2003
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Hoyle Card Games 2003
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Hoyle Card Games 2003
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT FOR THE KIDS
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Bridge Software
Review: I had hoped for an even better Bridge section on this 2003 (vs. 1996) Hoyle Bridge game CD. You can have a lot of fun creating your computer players with a wide selection of facial, hair, and clothing styles. But when you play the game, there is no fun left---you are unable to easily replay a game--can't redo the bidding--and the bidding used by your "partner" does not correspond to the accepted conventions or even basic bridge play! Lots of visual razzle dazzle with very little content!
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