Launched in 2006, PKR is an extensive online casino and poker operation that is known for its realistic 3D graphical interfaces. PKR offers standalone poker software, meaning that no other company uses it. PKR hires Playtech, a leading casino software developer, to manage its online casino.
Although currently unavailable for United States players, PKR Poker is one of the most popular European gambling sites. Fortunately for Mac users, PKR released a fully operational PKR Mac poker software in 2009. However, PKR’s casino software remains natively unavailable to Mac users.
Visit PKR.com to download the Mac software!
PKR Mac Poker Software
Most Mac users can use PKR’s poker software natively. This means users can simply download and install to software to begin playing in PKR’s highly realistic 3D poker environment. To download the PKR Mac software, visit PKR’s main website and click the Free Download button. Choose Download for Mac, then follow the onscreen instructions to install the software to your Macintosh system. Once installed, you can use PKR’s poker software as though you were using a Windows-based PC.
There are some systematic limitations you need to take into account when determining whether your Macintosh system can support PKR’s poker software.
PKR Mac System requirements
- Any Intel processor (not Power PC)
- 1 GB RAM
- At least a Leopard (Mac OS X v10.5.7) or Snow Leopard (Mac OS X v10.6) version of Mac
- 1.5GB hard drive space
- Graphics card with at least 32 MB RAM (Intel GMA 950 is not supported)
- Broadband Internet connection
- Major Internet browser
PKR Mac Casino Software
PKR’s Playtech based casino software is not natively compatible with any Macintosh operating system. There are, however, steps you can take to overcome this limitation and experience PKR’s realistic 3D environment on your Mac. The first option for playing PKR casino games on your Mac is to install Windows. You can use the software Bootcamp to have both Mac and Windows running simultaneously on your machine. This is not difficult. You simply need to download and install Bootcamp to your Mac and purchase a genuine copy of Windows XP, Vista or 7.
A second, less drastic option to run PKR’s casino software on your Mac is to use a Windows emulator such as the program Wine. Wine gives your computer the framework it needs to operate Windows programs. Problematically, Wine sometimes has compatibility issues. There’s no guarantee Wine will enable your Mac to run PKR.
A third, moderate option, is to install Windows as a virtual operating system running on top of Mac. There are two programs you can use for this. The first, Vmware, is highly sophisticated but also relatively expensive. The second, Virtualbox, is a freeware program developed by Sun Microsystems that is simple and intuitive. Basically, these programs work by installing Windows as a Macintosh program. Mac still has control over the computer’s hardware drivers and memory allocation, but Windows runs identically to normally installed Windows otherwise.
PKR Mac Features
The poker room that PKR Mac users have access to is innovative and exciting. You can create a 3D character that every other player on the site will be able to see. The possibilities are nearly endless for character creation. You can decide on skin tone, body shape, facial features, hair color, clothing and accessories. You can then use PKR’s emote control technology to make your character show certain emotions or use body language during conversation. Not only does this make the game more realistic, but it also adds a new dimension of strategy to online poker. You can use your character to play in games of Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha hi-lo. These games can be played in pot limit, no limit and fixed limit formats. The PKR Mac software also features many side games that can be played while you’re waiting during a poker hand. These include mini roulette, mini blackjack, Caribbean stud and more.
If you decide to try using the PKR Casino on a Mac, you’ll have access to a large array of different casino games. The main categories include table games, slots, card games, progressives, Asian games and arcade games. Each category offers many different games. For example, table games include European roulette, American roulette, craps, sic bo and Wild Viking. Arcade games include Pop Bingo, Bonus Bowling, Keno, Jackpot darts, Rock Paper Scissors and many more. All of these games are available with top of the line graphics for Mac users who are willing to use an emulator or virtual operating system. PKR Mac casino users will also enjoy lucrative bonuses by moving up through a VIP program that allows comp points to be turned into cash rewards.
If you live outside the United States, PKR is one of the best online gambling options available. Featuring both a casino and poker room, PKR emphasizes a highly realistic 3D gaming experience. If you’re a Mac user, you’re in luck if you want to use PKR’s poker room; however, you will need to take additional steps to utilize PKR’s casino software. Fortunately, there are a few options you can choose from for doing this. At any rate, using PKR on your Mac is a perfectly viable option.
