Pirate's Den

We’ve all enjoyed a flutter at one stage or another, and probably when we’ve lost we believe that it’s a crooked game. Well, there are few more crooked or as devious as pirates and so combining gambling with the swashbuckling, grog loving kind then Pirate’s Den is right up your street me-hearties!

There are three types of game to become captain of – Blackjack, Liar’s Dice and Poker. These are not the card game but the dice version of which I speak of. In essence the rules are still the same it’s just how you tot things up which is slightly more different. For example, playing the dice version of blackjack (whereby you have to get 21 or the highest number after a sequence of bids), you have two dice, which are doubled up on your first throw. Another round of betting follows and then your next roll of the two dice you get to pick either or both to get you closer to the illusive 21 – without going over. This continues to be played as such until one player has won the pot.

In Blackjack, you can play against up to three other pirates who will offer some pretty stiff opposition. For those of you who remember Captain Pugwash from the telly, you’ll be swearing that one if not all of these seafarers resemble characters from it.

Liars’ Dice is a game of total chance rather than anything else. You play against the various ‘Pugwash-alikes’ who all have to take turns in calling how many dice there are of a certain number. The ante keeps raising until someone calls the last player a liar, at which point all the dice are checked and you’ll be able to see who’s the liar. The penalty for speaking out of turn or for lying is the same – one of your dice will be removed (and as you only start with five it won’t take too long for one or other to be out of the game).

In Poker you have to try to play your dice right – and if you don’t, then like all good pirates do, cheat! Yes that’s right, in this game you can choose to cheat by removing or adding a spot to the dice of your choice, re-roll one/selected dice or re-roll all five. Your bets are automatic and are lead by your opponents either in terms of betting, raising or calling. Needless to say your opposition will all be sticking to the pirates code as you’ll be finding yourself nearly losing every round due to their cunning and unbelievably good rolls.

In the end then, this is a gambling and puzzle lover’s paradise for anyone who enjoys card games or trying to outwit your opponent. The game is very addictive and will definitely help keep you occupied for hours. The game’s pretty tough at times and will have you pull your hair out on the odd occasion, but you’ll be ecstatic for winning and indeed knocking the other pirate’s out one by one!

Rating 84%

Positives

Three games for the price of one

You can play career mode, hot seat or a quick ‘roundie’

Keeps you engaged for long periods of time

Negatives

The opponents are all pretty wicked and will beat you quite quickly especially when learning the ropes

The controls are a little cumbersome and frustrating at times – you can end up betting by accident rather than passing if you’re not fully focussed