PokerZebra 0.4: Now with "random"

PokerZebra is the working name for a Texas Hold’em Poker Odds Calculator for Mac OS X. You can download PokerZebra 0.4 here. Leopard or Snow Leopard required. I suspect it will only work on Intel macs, but I could be wrong.

You can now evaluate a hand against an opponent who has any two cards, by using the word “random”.

Screen shot 2010-04-12 at 4.07.05 PM.png

This was the hardest part of this little project. It required me getting familiar with running a cancellable task in the background in Objective-C. I usually program in Java, so my Objective-C skills are basic. Cancellable background tasks that provide ongoing feedback in the GUI is an advanced topic in any computer language I’m familiar with, so it has been a steep learning curve for me. (Note to self: maybe it shouldn’t be an advanced topic? Maybe language designers need to make this easier?)

Once I’ve fixed any issues that arise in this update, I can add specific ranges, such as AA (any two aces), 77+ (any pocket pair 77 or higher), or K3+ (any hand with a king and a 3 or higher).

There’s also an app icon, created by Rob from the Netherlands:

pokerzebra.jpg

Here’s what you need to know:

  • This works on Intel Macs running Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). Perhaps I’ll be able to add PPC and Tiger support soon. No promises though.

  • Specific hands (eg “Ah Kh”) are supported, as is random hands (“random”). Currently other ranges of hands are not supported. This will come soon.

  • Send feedback and bug reports to pokerzebra@pokercopilot.com