Poker Academy V2 (Win/Mac)

by POKERSOFT

Product Features

• Poker Academy software utilizes statistical modeling, neural networks, and advanced game theory to dynamically adapt its play to exploit patterns in opponents play
• The three most popular Texas Hold'em games in one package - No-limit, Limit, Tournament
• Taking your game to the next level - If you can be profitable playing Poker Academy, you will be a formidable foe in the online poker rooms and real life casinos and card rooms.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000B6OBPS
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: September 26, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,384 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #17 in Video Games > Mac Games > Casino
  • #50 in Video Games > PC Games > Casino

Product Description

Poker Academy 2 is a straight-up poker simulation that recreates the feeling of real Hold 'Em action. It's got powerful AI and multiple playing options, to assist you in taking your poker game to the next level.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy, Learn, Win, November 18, 2005

By 

Herschel Greenberg (Chino, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Poker Academy V2 (Win/Mac) (CD-ROM)

Poker Academy V2 is a must buy! I have been playing poker all my life, but only recently have I focused on Texas Hold Em. Each time I play, I increase my skills, but I don't play often enough against quality opponents. When I came across Poker Academy V2, I was skeptical about how much it would help me learn the game. Well, let me tell you, I am significantly better than I was before.

Not only are the computer opponents better than any other poker game out there, but the program allows you to see every statistic possible about your cards, the pot odds, and how you bet overall. For example, I learned that I was very passive pre-flop but very aggressive post-flop. I also learned what happens when I call to see a flop with the various different card combos and how many outcomes are possible. The programmers, who have set up an extremely complex algorithm to run the game, give you access to all the components that make up that code so you can get a better idea of all the odds and percentages of everything that happens in a round of poker. When you watch on TV and you see people call "time," they are calculating in their head the pot odds, which includes how much they have invested in the pot compared to the total number of cards that will help them win or lose. Poker Academy V2 does this as well, so you can begin to pick up patterns with certain hands, which translates into better and smarter betting on a real table.

The best thing I can say about this Poker training tool (I think of it more as a tool than a game) is how well I have done at a real Texas Hold Em table. During my most recent trip, on a $3/6 Limit Table, I won over $280 in about 2 hours by using all the knowledge I have gained about how to play Texas Hold Em and about how I play my game. In other words, the more I know about my skills, the better I act at the table. For the price Amazon sells this product compared to how much I won on my last trip, I would say Poker Academy V2 is well worth it. Spend the money now, learn to play the game better (no matter what your experience level is), and go win at a real table.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Software, October 28, 2005

By 

N. A. Oursland "Alan" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Poker Academy V2 (Win/Mac) (CD-ROM)

This software came out of research at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The limit artificial intelligence opponents are widely considered the best in the world. The no-limit opponents are okay. They are fantastic for training up as a beginner, and the developers keep improving them. Playing against computer opponents I can easily get through 300 hands an hour. This software has improved my game about 10-fold.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poker Academy is head-and-shoulders above the competition, October 28, 2005

By 

Anubus (Urbana, IL USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Poker Academy V2 (Win/Mac) (CD-ROM)

Poker Academy (PA) has the best artificial intelligence that will challenge even great players. Unlike most other poker programs that use canned strategies, this software actually learns and adapts to your play. As you improve, PA will also improve, challenging you to continue to play better to win. PA offers several no-limit and limit AI engines to give you experience against a variety of playing styles. You can practice new strategies that you may have learned from a book (Good poker books are also listed in the help section of the software), and see if these strategies work for you without having to risk any money. There are many statistical tools available with this software to help you analyze your play, including a showdown calculator. The interface is also very user friendly with convenient action buttons and hot keys.

The customer service is superb! If you have any questions, the PA support team will work with you and answer quickly. The PA team is the most dedicated software team I have ever seen! They continually release updates to the software, and you can even play with them online!

The community forum at www.poker-academy.com is very helpful, and the software developers are very active on this forum. Also check out the pro version 2 of this software on the website. It gives you even more advanced software analysis tools and additional AI engines to help you further analyze and improve your play.

The online play is fun, and it is a good way to get playing experience against real people without having to risk real money. The developers host weekly free-roll tournaments, where you can win a free, high-quality PA polo shirt!

I had also purchased DD Tournament Poker in the past. DD does not even come close to PA. The AI in DD is weak and predictable, the interface is uglier, and DD lacks the powerful statistical tools that PA has to offer.

In conclusion of my long review, if you are serious about poker or just want a fun experience, Poker Academy is the software for you and is worth your money many times over!