Practice Software

I am looking for some advice on software that helps you practice Hold'em. I have been looking at DD Poker or also known as No Limit Texas Hold 'Em: Tournament Edition 2006. Has anyone used this? Are there better programs out there?
Thx

I have DD Poker, and while it might be entertaining for a beginner, the AI just doesn't put up a serious challenge. At least the version I have doesn't (I retired from the DD Poker circuit after winning the WSOP main event twice in a row, wish I was that good in real life). Now maybe the 2006 edition plays a tougher game but it would have to be a HUGE improvement to be worthwhile as a training tool. Also DD Poker only plays no-limit tournaments, it doesn't play ring games and it doesn't play limit (again, unless they added that for the 2006 edition). I think Poker Academy is the best product currently on the market, for limit anyway, it used to be expensive but now you can get it on Amazon for $17.99. Poker Academy came out of game theory research at the University of Alberta and includes a heads-up limit bot that is supposed to be very tough to beat - I wouldn't really know since I don't play limit much. I think the full table limit bots are pretty good too. But if you want to practice no-limit, I honestly don't think there's a decent program out there. I've tried DD Poker, TJ Cloutier's World Class Poker, Wilson Tourney Hold'em, Poker Academy, and they all suck at no-limit (which is why I'm developing a program of my own for NL - not yet on the market in case you were wondering. Let's just say it might be a while, NL is a difficult problem from an AI standpoint. Which is good news if you're playing NL online.)

Originally Posted by NotSteve

I have DD Poker, and while it might be entertaining for a beginner, the AI just doesn't put up a serious challenge. At least the version I have doesn't (I retired from the DD Poker circuit after winning the WSOP main event twice in a row, wish I was that good in real life). Now maybe the 2006 edition plays a tougher game but it would have to be a HUGE improvement to be worthwhile as a training tool. Also DD Poker only plays no-limit tournaments, it doesn't play ring games and it doesn't play limit (again, unless they added that for the 2006 edition). I think Poker Academy is the best product currently on the market, for limit anyway, it used to be expensive but now you can get it on Amazon for $17.99. Poker Academy came out of game theory research at the University of Alberta and includes a heads-up limit bot that is supposed to be very tough to beat - I wouldn't really know since I don't play limit much. I think the full table limit bots are pretty good too. But if you want to practice no-limit, I honestly don't think there's a decent program out there. I've tried DD Poker, TJ Cloutier's World Class Poker, Wilson Tourney Hold'em, Poker Academy, and they all suck at no-limit (which is why I'm developing a program of my own for NL - not yet on the market in case you were wondering. Let's just say it might be a while, NL is a difficult problem from an AI standpoint. Which is good news if you're playing NL online.)

Thx for the info. I might spend the money to see if there are any improvements to this years version.