Microsoft shows its Hold 'Em hand

In July, TikGames' Xbox Live Arcade poker game Texas Hold 'Em was reported to be free to download and play on the Xbox 360. The following week, a Microsoft rep denied that. That was apparently a double-bluff, as the game arrived on the Xbox 360 Marketplace at 1 a.m. this morning, and as originally reported, was downloadable at no charge.

It won't stay that way for long, however. Microsoft has said that Texas Hold 'Em will only be free to download for the first 48 hours. Starting at 1 a.m. Friday, Microsoft will start charging users 800 points ($10) a pop to download the game.

Texas Hold 'Em features persistent bankrolls attached to each Xbox Live gamertag, so players who bet recklessly and come out on the losing end will have to go back to the lower-stakes tables to work their way back into the games with heavy action. Check back soon for GameSpot's full review of the game.