Limited to SPINS games

Online poker room partypoker has pushed out a new version of its mobile poker app. Highlights of the revamped client include portrait orientation and new social features.

The fresh look is currently only available when playing SPINS, partypoker’s version of the Jackpot Sit-and-Go. The update is expected to roll out to the rest of the poker room’s games early next year.

“This is just one of many updates that will be delivered in the coming months as we overhaul our mobile proposition,” said partypoker’s Head of Product, Ross McQuater, in a press release.

Portrait mode

It is a simple thing, but when it comes to mobile poker apps, partypoker’s switch to portrait orientation is a significant shift from the norm. As partypoker Team Online’s Jamie Staples enthusiastically explained:

The experience of just being able to play with one finger is something I have never had the chance to experience before. It’s so simple and intuitive!”

As usual, the player’s cards appear at the bottom of the screen. Right above the cards are the fold, bet/raise, and check buttons, as well as preset bet size buttons. All look surprisingly accessible on a virtual poker table meant to fit on a phone.

The hand replayer has also been redesigned to fit with portrait orientation. In addition, the SPINS lobby has been streamlined, with the option to view buy-ins in grid or carousel format.

Social features

partypoker moved in the direction of “social” poker years ago, one of the first online poker rooms to begin catering to recreational players. The new “social currency” in the app update, Diamonds, is a continuation of this progression.

Players earn Diamonds just by playing poker in the new app. As partypoker continues to roll out updates, players will be able to earn Diamonds by accomplishing various goals. Think of them like “missions” or “achievements” that we often see in mobile games.

players will be able to earn Diamonds by accomplishing various goals

Diamonds can then be spent in-game. Currently, players can use Diamonds to “rabbit hunt” once a hand is over. Rabbit hunting is a term for revealing the cards that would have been dealt had the hand continued.

Players can also spend Diamonds on goofy items like fish and sharks that they can throw at each other at the table. Serious players might find these things juvenile, but for a lot of people, they are just silly fun that makes mobile poker more enjoyable.

Professional poker player and member of Team partypoker Sam Trickett wrote in a blog post that he enjoys those sorts of things, saying, “I think this adds a social element of fun to the game where you can interact with each other in a light-hearted way.”