Poker Academy Software

#1 25th August 2008, 8:06 PM

Hi All,

I was wondering if anybody here has used or currently uses the Poker Academy software. Long story short, I have been playing poker for about 3 years now and am at best an average to sub-average player. I know I have a bunch of holes/leaks in my game and I'd like to try and start sealing them up. In addition to scouring the forums here, which have been great, I wanted to find a way to "practice" what I'm learning without necessarily putting cash on the line. I know there are play money rooms on most sites, but I wanted to find something that would replicate more "real-world" type scenarios, without someone going all-in simply cause it's play money. This is not a knock on play-money players, just sort of an observation.

From what I've read in reviews and the like, Poker Academy is a pretty solid training tool with challenging AI players that helps you analyze your play. In addition it seems to be able to point out weaknesses that you may have and offers advice on how to improve your play. I understand that no one thing will be the answer to all of my leaks, but I thought that getting this software in addition to spending some more time here at the forums and reading a few more books couldn't be a bad start. However, before I shell out the $$$ for this software, I thought I'd check-in with the Cardschat community and see if anyone had any experience with Poker Academy. Any feedback you have, good or bad, is appreciated. Thanks!

#2 25th August 2008, 11:22 PM

Well, it's the best of the simulators out there, at least the ones that I've tried.

I have an old version, and fool around with it sometimes. The advice and the play reeeally seems limit focused as both the players and the advisor limp way too much and call bets too much. Basically, even after fooling around with the player settings I can't get it to beat me on as often as it should at a ten player table. I'm not a great player, and I shouldn't be placing in the top 3 3/4 of the time at SnGs.

Newer versions might be better, but at sites with higher level SnGs like Stars the play money tables play as well as Poker Academy does, imo.

#3 26th August 2008, 12:37 AM

I can't reccomend it for NL, there are a few different AI types that once you know there style you can beat them quite easily. You could spend yor $$$ better elswhere imo!

#4 26th August 2008, 1:17 AM

Though I would rate "DD Tournament Poker 2" better overall and "World Class Poker" the best, I DO like my "Poker Academy". I have the basic 2005 version 1.5.1 that I bought back then for $29.95, I think.

I've adjusted my advisor to play like I want to play and I've adjusted the players to be varied in their type (loose to tight). I don't play it too much, but it's fun when I do. I'm not sure what the newest version is like, though.

Here's a pic of the advisor adjustment in my version (you also adjust the players like this):

#5 26th August 2008, 3:06 AM

I've played with PA for several hours and I don't think it is worth the 75 or 80 dollars. A major flaw IMO is that it will recommend you to bet, but it doesn't tell you how much. Also, I found some recommendations like limping in an unopened pot from mid-position with A10o a little too loose (at least for me).

#6 26th August 2008, 5:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFaith

I've played with PA for several hours and I don't think it is worth the 75 or 80 dollars. A major flaw IMO is that it will recommend you to bet, but it doesn't tell you how much. Also, I found some recommendations like limping in an unopened pot from mid-position with A10o a little too loose (at least for me).

??? You can't adjust your advisor? Gee, I only paid $30 and I can adjust mine.

#7 26th August 2008, 7:38 AM

I used the Demo a while back and then I have also lately used a friend's copy and I think it is OK. I like how you can select the different types of tournaments/games that you would like to work on. But I agree with NineLions that the bots call raises and limp in way too often. I have not messed around with any of the adjustments, but you would think that they would have this tweaked to usability from the start. The version I was using was the most current also.

It is ok for just playing for fun though....no different than playing any of the PS2 games(Stacked or WSOP), ha.

#8 26th August 2008, 8:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by absoluthamm

I used the Demo a while back and then I have also lately used a friend's copy and I think it is OK. I like how you can select the different types of tournaments/games that you would like to work on. But I agree with NineLions that the bots call raises and limp in way too often. I have not messed around with any of the adjustments, but you would think that they would have this tweaked to usability from the start. The version I was using was the most current also.

It is ok for just playing for fun though....no different than playing any of the PS2 games(Stacked or WSOP), ha.

So no one knows how to tweek the bots so they DON'T call raises and limp too much? Am I the only one who has a version that can do this? I'm confused, guys.

#9 26th August 2008, 5:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSticker

So no one knows how to tweek the bots so they DON'T call raises and limp too much? Am I the only one who has a version that can do this? I'm confused, guys.

I never said that I couldn't do this. I just didn't look into it as I have only used it a couple times and it technically isn't my version, it's my friend's. I just don't understand why they wouldn't ship the software already tweaked to how it should be. They put enough programming time into the software, why not make the thing accurate, ya know?

#10 27th August 2008, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSticker

So no one knows how to tweek the bots so they DON'T call raises and limp too much? Am I the only one who has a version that can do this? I'm confused, guys.

I dunno Stick, I'll give mine another try but every player always bets/calls any flush draw or OESD no matter what the pot odds. I've taken the aggression levels on implied odds down to zero, in fact I think all the aggression levels are down to zero and it's better; at least they don't knock each other out after a few orbits.

Similar Threads for: Texas Hold'em Poker > Poker Academy Software
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Time to quit playing poker and start taking it for real	TPC	Learning Poker	47	24th March 2010 9:50 PM
Full Tilt Beta Software	TRB1965	Poker Rooms	6	26th June 2009 1:34 AM

Play Texas Hold'em Online Poker \| Poker Academy Software
PokerStars is one of the best sites to play online poker. Using PokerStars marketing code CCHAT you get a $600 bonus. Note: No US Players Accepted.	Bodog is the a highly popular US online poker site with a huge deposit bonus of 110% up to $1100.