Results tagged “vnc”

As of this writing there are no iPhone apps for online poker but you can still play online poker with your iPhone! It's not perfect but it definitely works well and it's very easy to set up.

Really; it's very easy.

What we're doing is running a "remote desktop" on your iPhone or iPod Touch. This is when you actually run another computer right from your iPhone.

It's the same technique they use when you call for support and the person in Mombai or Manila connects to your computer and runs it right from their cubicle.

The software system that you need is called "VNC". It runs in two parts: one on the remote computer called the "server", and one part in the iPhone called the "client".

The server half of the system is free. The client half is an iPhone app. There are currently four of those in the iTunes app store ranging from free to $24.99. Sorry to say it but the free one, "Mocha VNC Free", is overpriced. Then comes two at $4.99 and $5.99.  The $4.99 one, "VNC Pocket Office" is new and I haven't tried it, but so far the reviews are very, very bad. (i.e., it only crashes. Not good for poker.)

I have personally tried the $5.99 one -- the paid version of Mocha VNC -- and find it difficult and non-intuitive to use. One very definite drawback with it if you have multiple monitors on your desktop computer is that Mocha will only show your primary monitor. A huge problem if you have dual monitors.

Happily the $25 app, Jaadu VNC, works very well. This one will show your entire desktop regardless of how many monitors it spans. ImHO, this is a well made app and it has consistently improved both the interface and performance at each version iteration. It's the one I use and the one that you see in the screen shots here: Jaadu VNC. It's a good value at $25.

As you can see from the screen shots, you will depend on the iPhone's interface to pinch-and-zoom in and out so that you can make the little screen work for playing poker. But the fact is that, with a little practice, you can actually play two tables. (It takes good timing and nerves of steel, but in a pinch it can be done.) 

The iPhone's screen is two tiny for seeing detail when you're looking at all or most of the table, but you can clearly see the action and see when it your input is needed. 

When it's actually time for you to make a play you just zoom in to the section of the table that you need to see or use. When it's time to play, you just tap on the on-screen buttons to have your actions registered. 

Making bets is easiest if you tap on the bet slider to increment the bet. You can type in exact amounts if you want but that requires using the keyboard, which is the weakest part of Jaadu VNC. It's actually a real pain so I just use the buttons and bet in ithe default increments.

The Actual How-to:

Ok; here's how you do it step by step.

1. Download a free VNC for your "remote" computer. You can find them for Windows, Mac and for Linux computers. The three most used versions out there are "RealVNC", "UltraVNC" and "TightVNC" and they all either are free or have free versions. They all will work with Jaadu VNC on the iPhone. (Jaadu recommends UltraVNC for performance, but I've found that it doesn't agree with all Windows installations so just go to one of the others if you run into Ultra's occasional balkyness.) 
   
   When you install it, you can take either the "full" or the "server only" installation. The server is the only part that you need for what we're doing here. When you're asked if you want to run the server "as a service" check that box in the afirmative. Running as a service will always have it ready and waiting for you to connect from your iPhone.
   
   When you set up the service mode, you will be required to put in a password. Make it a tough one with lots of numbers and strange characters. Remember; this lets you run your computer from another, remote computer. If somebody guesses your password then they can run your computer and look at your files and play your poker.

2. When the service starts up on your "remote", pass your mouse cursor over the icon for the running VNC server and you'll see the IP address for it. Write that down.

3. Go to the iTunes app store and get the VNC app for your iPhone or iPod Touch and install it.

4. Start the VNC app on your iPhone and "Add a connection". (For most versions, click the "+" icon on the connections screen.)  Enter the IP address that you wrote down in step 2 and enter that tricky password you created at the end of step 1.  Click "Go". After a few seconds you'll see your desktop replicated on your iPhone screen.
   
   Pinch and zoom and use your finger to move the virtual desktop around. Try a few non-poker applications on the remote just to get the hang of things before you go to the poker. A solitare game maybe?

That's it. You're all done.

After you've practiced with the interface start up your poker games and have some fun. Maybe see you at the free tables.