Texas Hold 'Em to get update

If there's one thing card players can't stand, it's a cheat. Microsoft has determined that there are a number of card sharks dealing from the bottom of the virtual deck, as it will release an update to its Texas Hold 'Em poker game as this week's Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays offering.

Microsoft has said the patch will eliminate known exploits used to inflate rankings on the game's online leaderboards, and that the rankings will be reset to ensure their validity going forward. A number of other tweaks have been made, including multiple changes designed to speed up the flow of a game. Players can now play immediately when joining a table by posting the big blind, as well as enter an "away" mode that automatically posts blinds and folds their hands until they return. Furthermore, users who let the timer expire more than three times will be automatically kicked out of the game.

In addition, Microsoft is making blinds proportionate to table stakes and correcting matchmaking oversights that could have players joining tables they couldn't afford. However, one expected feature of the game, support for the Xbox Live Vision camera, won't be included in this update. Microsoft says that feature will be added in another update, due early next year.

The Texas Hold 'Em update should be available for download Wednesday morning at 1 a.m. PST.