Game developer Hands-On Mobile is rolling out a World Poker Tour Texas Hold ?Em application in the Apple App Store.

The application from Hands-On Mobile will include new features such as touch-screen controls with one-touch betting and updated graphics. The application will also feature audio messages from professional poker player and World Poker Tour announcer Mike Sexton.

?Having launched World Poker Tour Texas Hold ?Em across every mobile platform in various iterations since 2005, the core strategy continues to be promoting the WPT experience with the largest set of features and multiplayer capabilities on mobile,? said David McCaman, head of marketing at Hands-On Mobile, San Francisco.

?Poker and mobile gamers are everywhere, so focusing on the quality of game-play and access to the immense WPT mobile gaming community is key when utilizing all vehicles and especially word-of-mouth recommendations,? he said.

?The core strategy is to raise visibility in a crowded market through press, reviews and premium contesting in addition to core advertising reaching users on their device.?

Hands-On Mobile Inc. is a mobile technology company as well as a developer and publisher of mobile entertainment and games.

The World Poker Tour Texas Hold ?Em application gives users the ability to easily fold their cards with a quick flick of the finger.

Users with a good hand can place bets by dragging a finger along the betting wheel to set the desired amount.

Some of the new graphics within the mobile application from Hands-On Mobile include upgraded player art, enhanced in-game user interface and different menus to give the game a fresh new look.

When the application loads, users will see a new opening video that features exciting gameplay and a shot of a World Poker Tour final table.

?Poker has grown dramatically in the past five years, extending beyond the niche, male-dominated market,? Mr. McCaman said. ?We have found the majority of our audience is 18-45 with a male skew. 

?With our release in the Apple App Store we expect this to trend to continue but recognize that poker and mobile gaming have broken every demographic barrier,? he said. ?Having a mass-market game for experts and neophytes with the support of WPT is a recipe for success.?

Hands-On Mobile has provided Web-to-wireless gameplay within the application, letting poker fans play with other users on their iPhone, iPod touch or computer.

Multiplayer features let users play live with other players at public tables or create private tables to play with friends and family.

The World Poker Tour Texas Hold ?Em application is available for download from the Apple App Store for $3.99.

?We are continually progressing to a non-stop connected, multi-tasking society with an emphasis on maximizing every minute of the day,? Mr. McCaman said. ?Mobile gaming provides entertainment on-the-go.

?Gamers are able to enjoy these experiences on their terms,? he said. ?While traditional mobile gaming has been heralded as entertaining and mind-numbing time-wasters, current and future devices are making gaming a unique and compelling experience outside of waiting for the bus.

Mobile gamers are playing longer, more often and are now gaming while doing other passive activities.

"Device features, functionality, larger screen sizes and graphic processing capabilities in addition to a plethora of gaming content has proven that mobile is a true gaming platform,? Mr. McCaman said.