SmartPref Pro

Opening the app for the first time

You install the app, tap the icon, and the first thing you see is a clean table with cards already dealt. The bot waits for your move. No login screen, no tutorial pop-up, just the game. That is the onboarding reality for SmartPref Pro. The app drops you straight into a practice hand against a computer opponent. The interface shows your cards, the pool, and the current contract. Everything is in Russian by default, which makes sense given the game's origin. The bot plays fast, almost too fast, and you quickly realize this is not a casual solitaire clone. This is a serious implementation of Preferans, a 19th-century trick-taking game with complex bidding and scoring rules.

The free version gives you unlimited practice games against the bot. No ads, no banners, just the cards and the rules. The developer promises no banner ads ever, and that holds true in the free tier. You get access to a short course on Preferans rules, a collection of daily puzzles called "Misere of the Day," and a user-friendly interface that tracks every move. The bot algorithm is described as balanced, but what does that mean in practice? It means the bot makes legal moves only, follows the order of play, and calculates the pool automatically. You cannot make an illegal move even if you try. The app enforces the rules strictly, which is both a blessing for learners and a frustration for experienced players who might want to play house rules.

How the bot algorithm and convention settings interact

The practice mode feels different depending on which convention you select. SmartPref Pro offers three convention settings: Sochi, Leningrad, and Rostov. These are regional variations of Preferans with different bidding rules and scoring systems. In Sochi, the bidding is more aggressive. In Leningrad, the play is more defensive. Rostov sits somewhere in between. The bot adjusts its strategy based on the convention you choose. This is not stated anywhere on the Play Store page, but it becomes obvious after a few games. The bot plays tighter in Leningrad and looser in Sochi. This creates a unique learning curve. A beginner might start with Sochi to learn the basics, then move to Leningrad to understand defensive play, and finally try Rostov for a balanced challenge. The bot algorithm is not a single static entity; it adapts to the ruleset.

This interaction between convention and bot behavior is the app's hidden depth. The Play Store description mentions the conventions but does not explain how they affect the bot. A player switching from Sochi to Leningrad will notice the bot passing more often, forcing the player to take contracts they might not want. This is a direct result of the convention's influence on the bot's decision-making. The app does not advertise this, but it is a key part of the experience. The rating system adds another layer. Each player starts with a rating of 1000. Winning games increases the rating, losing decreases it. To reach the Pro league, you need 1800 points. The bot's difficulty scales with your rating, so the better you get, the smarter the bot becomes. This progression system is not explained in the app's description, but it is documented in the knowledge base.

Online play and the subscription wall

Playing against the bot is free forever. The moment you want to play online with friends or against pro-bots, you hit the subscription wall. SmartPref Pro offers a 3-day free trial for the subscription. After that, you pay a monthly fee. This is where the complaints start. Some users report that the subscription replaced a previously purchased version of the app. The old version became incompatible, forcing users to switch to the new subscription model. This is a legitimate frustration. The free version limits you to practice games and puzzles. You cannot access public rankings, leaderboards, or online multiplayer without paying. The subscription also unlocks the full range of deck options, including Satin and German decks, and allows games with two, three, or four players.

The online mode works, but it has issues. The changelog mentions fixes for online interface problems. Users have reported bugs with login overlays and table pattern selection. The clean passes reward bug, where players did not receive rewards for clean passes when "add to bullet" was disabled, was fixed in a recent update. These bugs suggest the online component is still being refined. The pro-bots, which are more advanced than the regular bot, are only available in the paid version. This creates a two-tier experience: free players get a competent but predictable bot, while paying players get a more challenging opponent and the ability to compete against real people.

The subscription pricing and what it actually changes

The subscription is the app's primary revenue model. The 3-day free trial gives you access to everything. After that, you lose online play, rankings, leaderboards, advanced decks, and multiplayer options. The free version remains functional for practice, puzzles, and the basic bot. The pricing is not listed on the Play Store page, but third-party sources indicate it is a monthly fee. Some users find the cost reasonable, others feel it is too high for a card game. The value proposition depends on how much you play. If you play daily, the subscription might be worth it. If you play occasionally, the free version might be enough. The app does not offer a one-time purchase option, which is a common complaint among users who prefer to own software rather than rent it. The developer's response to complaints has been mixed, with some users reporting unhelpful support. The subscription model is a major point of contention, and it is likely to remain so unless the developer introduces a permanent purchase option.