In the previous segment, we outlined how to download, install and play the Power Up tutorial. In that tutorial, we discovered how to play three of the nine Power Cards available in the public Power Up Alpha.
In this part of this series, we’re going to take a closer look at all the 9 Power Cards. But before we do that, first let’s first explain the key concept of Energy Points
Energy Points
At the start of each game, each player at the table will get 10 Energy Points. It’s these energy points which allow you to play your Power Cards. Every Power Card uses up a specific number of Energy Points, ranging from 2 to 5. After every hand played or folded, you will receive 2 new Energy Points to spend on Power Cards, up to a maximum of 20 points.
Power Up – Power Cards
Power Card – Clone – 2 Energy Points
Receive a copy of the last power played this hand.
The clone card allows a player to receive a copy of the previously played Power Card in any given card. This can be used to react to the move of your opponent, and re-establish any potential lost advantage in the hand. This card is especially useful if a player has knowledge of future board cards, or one of your hole cards.
Power Card – Disintegrate – 4 Energy Points
Destroy a targeted board card this street
A card which will be familiar from the tutorial. A great card to protect your pocket pair when an overcard hits the board. This card also comes in handy to destroy a 4th flush card on the board if you’re already holding a 2 card, non nut flush yourself, as well as allowing to you eliminate other potential scare cards on the turn and river.
Power Card – EMP – 4 Energy Points
Prevent powers on this street
Do you want to protect your holding by getting rid of special powers on a particular street? Time to use the EMP! EMP stands for Electro Magnetic Pulse which temporarily disables all electric powered appliances. In other words, the use of Power Cards becomes disabled for that street. Remember Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr in one of Poker’s favorite movies Oceans Eleven? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrA-1cG_wq4 Well, that’s the EMP.
Power Card – Engineer – 5 Energy Points
Choose the deck’s next card from three options
A very powerful Power Card. If played, you will get the option to pick one of three cards to be dealt next.
Power Card – Intel – 3 Energy Points
View the deck’s top card for the rest of the hand
Another card which we got a glimpse of in the tutorial. Like we said previously, use this card early in the hand in order to maximize its power and benefit.
Power Card – Reload – 5 points
Redraw selected hole cards
It does exactly what it says… Found an Ace in your hand with a marginal kicker and facing an all-in? Play the Reload card to improve your kicker or even pair up to Aces if you’re especially lucky. Also, a great card to use if you’re missing a card to complete a straight or flush draw. Gamble time!
Power Card – Scanner – 4 Energy Points
View the top two cards in the deck; choose whether to discard them
Also one of the more powerful cards in the game. When played, you will be shown the next two cards in the deck (turn and river for example) and it’s up to you if you wish to use them or discard. If discarded, further unseen cards will be dealt at random.
Power Card – Upgrade – 5 Points
Draw a third hole card, then discard one
Together with Reload & Engineer, the joint most expensive Power Card available. This one is a beauty as it lets you draw a third hole card. After playing this and recieving your additional hole card, you will be prompted to discard a card of your choosing.
Power Card – X-ray – 2 Energy Points
Force all opponents to expose one of their hole cards
This beauty comes in too cheap in our opinion. If you play this card, both opponents will be forced to randomly expose one of their hole cards. This piece of information is now out in the open and it can create perfect spots for a bluff, or the information you need to shut down. Be careful though, sometimes the creation a bluff spot will be almost too obvious, and your opponents will be aware of this. Let the leveling begin!
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