iPhone poker game an early sensation

Scenario Poker is a 27-player shootout tournament.

The much-hyped Apple iPhone has yet to hit the market, but poker enthusiasts are already downloading the mobile's Hold'em game with abandon.

'Scenario Poker' is already a top download for the forthcoming iPhone, which is a combination of Apple's wildly successful iPod and mobile technology.

Players have gotten a jump start on the phone's release by downloading Scenario Poker to play on their Mac computers.

The game is a three-round shootout tournament against 27 virtual opponents. The poker is fast, as after you play your hand the virtual competition make their moves at rapid-fire pace until the action is back to you.

Customizable graphics, built-in help, statistics trackers and traffic light indicators to suggest actions also round out the Scenario Poker.

The game was released March 29 and flew to the number one position on Apple's 50 Top Widgets list. It has now settled into 17th position.

The phone is due to be released this summer.