Best Poker Sim?

TroyF · 06-04-2003, 11:12 AM

Anyone have ideas about the best poker sim on the market?

I know about the online ones, but I've had mixed success there. I'm really only playing to get more familiar with the game and all of the versions of it.

I have Hoyle's Casino now. Anything better out there?

TroyF

QuikSand · 06-04-2003, 11:15 AM

I have played a bit with a game called "Poker Night with David Slansky" - which is commonly available on ebay. I have mixed reviews... the player personalities are a little over the top, but the game play is adequate.

I think to get serious, you probably need to invest in one of the more intensive programs, but there's much more investment involved, as I recall.

Bee · 06-04-2003, 11:27 AM

The Turbo Poker series is supposedly very good.

panerd · 06-04-2003, 12:41 PM

Anyone else think the World Poker Tour is an elaborate scam that is being secretly funded by the casinos? Just about everyone I work with (myself included) seems to think they can somehow win at this game from watching the travel channel on Wednesday nights. I bet all of the pros are salivating at this renewed interest in casino hold em.

cuervo72 · 06-04-2003, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by panerd
Anyone else think the World Poker Tour is an elaborate scam that is being secretly funded by the casinos? Just about everyone I work with (myself included) seems to think they can somehow win at this game from watching the travel channel on Wednesday nights. I bet all of the pros are salivating at this renewed interest in casino hold em.

Secretly funded? I'd say it's overtly funded. I mean, there's built-in advertising for whatever casino is holding the event each week. I think that's what the segments with Shana Hiatt are all about (is she married to Van Patten? I didn't know that, but found 'Shana Hiatt-Van Patten' on a class of 1993 alumni list [google]).

albionmoonlight · 06-04-2003, 01:11 PM

Other then their obvious interest in having every warm body in the casino spending money, are Casinos cool with letting a person watch people playing poker? I got Slansky's book, and I will probably pick up Turbo Texas Hold 'Em or some other game.

However, before I become one of those guys that sits down at the table and makes all of the pros salivate, I'd like the chance to watch how it is played by real people (both to get more familiar with the pace, etc. and to make sure that I can easily follow a game without the pressure of playing before I start putting money up).

QuikSand · 06-04-2003, 01:19 PM

Alb, if you visit the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, their poker room is surrouned in glass, and there are plenty of people who sit in and watch the tables near the edges. Actually walking into the room, and hovering over the card players is frowned upon, but some people still do it. In Vegas, the poker room at the Mirage is pretty viewer-friendly as well - as are most, by my recollection. (I watched a game at the Flamingo, of all places, for about two hours before deciding that I needed to wait until one particular guy was gone)

Watching first is a good thing, especially to understand pace and gesturing.

ctmason · 06-04-2003, 01:26 PM

The Turbo Texas Hold 'Em Series is the only poker sim that is worth anything, quite honestly. The Sklansky software Quik is referring to is pretty much crap, IMO, and its a shame Sklansky, one of the best minds in poker has his name attached to it.

I do not have my copy of Tubo anymore or I'd send it out to you.

I would suggest Lou Krieger's books for newcomers to the game first, then graduate to the Sklansky/Malmuth Two Plus Two texts. It worked better for me in terms of understanding game play and terminology. I think that is a logical progression.

All this talk is making me wish I hadn't just quit gambling.

albionmoonlight · 06-04-2003, 01:26 PM

Thanks. My job next year in New Orleans is within spitting distance of the casino down there, so that's where I'd be doing almost all of my playing. (if I decide that I have what it takes to play for real money at all)

Anrhydeddu · 06-04-2003, 01:27 PM

Hoyle's Casino is what I used frequently to play poker (Omaha - Tournament) but lately I am having to implement house rules. I would love to know of a more challenging table of Omaha.

Honolulu Blue · 06-04-2003, 02:06 PM

I'd like to throw in World Series of Poker Deluxe into the mix. The computer opponents aren't great, but they're decent - probably better than most games that are available in stores.

Teaching is not its strong suit, so if you want a program to teach you the game, this isn't it. But I think it would be good once you've learned a few things and see how well you do.

It has 7 card stud and Omaha in addition to Hold 'em.

QuikSand · 06-04-2003, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctmason
All this talk is making me wish I hadn't just quit gambling.

Say it ain't so!

TroyF · 06-04-2003, 02:18 PM

Panerd,

Just to make sure you understand me. . . I do not think for a second I could win at big time poker. I do OK at poker night with the friends, but I have no doubt the sharks would eat me alive at a big money table.

Not that I'd ever go to a big money table anyway. I gamble for fun and watch my money very carefully. I budget like I would for a normal night out. I'll rarely throw down more than 40 bucks at any casino or gambling establishment.

That said, I'd enjoy a tough game of poker against a computer opponent. I'd also like to get better at the game and get a feel for what I'm supposed to do in the different games. Also to get a feel for where my strengths and weaknesses are.

TroyF

panerd · 06-04-2003, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TroyF
Panerd,

Just to make sure you understand me. . . I do not think for a second I could win at big time poker. I do OK at poker night with the friends, but I have no doubt the sharks would eat me alive at a big money table.

Not that I'd ever go to a big money table anyway. I gamble for fun and watch my money very carefully. I budget like I would for a normal night out. I'll rarely throw down more than 40 bucks at any casino or gambling establishment.

That said, I'd enjoy a tough game of poker against a computer opponent. I'd also like to get better at the game and get a feel for what I'm supposed to do in the different games. Also to get a feel for where my strengths and weaknesses are.

TroyF

No, not at all. Don't get me wrong, that is why I added "myself included" in my orginal post. I am really into math and I keep telling myself over and over... two cards. That's it. It can't be that hard to try and figure out all of the possibilities. Unfortunatly I know that the math is only a tiny % of the game and I would get blown away by people that can read my hand and rich people who will bet heavily on even the shittiest of hands. I am just fascinated by the number of "hold em" conversations I have been involved with around the water cooler the last several months as compared with the rest of my life. I think the travel channel (and the casino poker industry) really hit a homerun here. I want to someday be as good as Mike McD...

"You were lookin' for that third three, but you forgot that Professor Green folded it on Fourth Street and now you're representing that you have it. The DA made his two pair, but he knows they're no good. Judge Kaplan was trying to squeeze out a diamond flush but he came up short, and Mr. Eisen is futilely hoping that his queens are going to stand up. So like I said, the Dean's bet is $20"

ctmason · 06-04-2003, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
Say it aint's so!

'Fraid so, Quik...at least for now.

It was more of a personal decision, not really any type of moral epiphany or change of heart about "the game." I supplemented my income pretty well with playing poker, and tended to break even betting sports.

Like I've posted about, I'm going back to grad school (Arizona State is where I've finally settled) this fall and my income will be greatly reduced.

For some, gambling is a hobby, and at one point it was just that for me. Although I enjoyed it, the hours that I had to spend researching, reading, analyzing and playing to stay sharp, while for the most part profitable, will just no longer be available.

The way I saw it, it was becoming just like another job, and I've already got two. As I got better and better, it required just more of my time, and while I suppose I could lay back and enjoy playing win or lose, that's just not how I want to play the game.

I quit sports betting mostly because it just took the fun out of sports for me. Add to the fact that I wasn't very good at it and didn't have the additional time it would have taken for me to make a worthwhile profit, and it just adds up.

Besides, I'm trying to bowl more tournaments this summer and fall, with an eventual move to the PBA regional tour on the somewhat distant horizon. It's just like training for anything, I have to dedicate more time to that. Besides, I can always bowl action and it's not technically gambling.

Rather than attempt to dip my toe in the pool, it's better to just stay away. I enjoy gaming in all its forms, and while I've often wondered if I had a "problem," I don't know that I show any signs of it...yet.

Naturally, this is all a good idea, since I'm moving closer to Las Vegas, and into a state where poker is legal. So I guess I'll see you at Casino Arizona this fall. LOL

cuervo72 · 06-04-2003, 07:55 PM

Hmm, the DirectTV guide synopsis for World Poker Tour tonight:

"Hollywood" Movie stas and Playboy playmates compete with great poker players.

Bonus

RPI-Fan · 06-04-2003, 07:57 PM

I'd also recommend the World Series of Poker Deluxe. I got it on Ebay for less than $10 total, and it provides me a lot of fun. At the same time, it's a challenge.

As the other fellow said, it's not a learning device (other than experience), but it does a nice job of combining fun and realism.

~rpi-fan

QuikSand · 06-05-2003, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctmason
The Turbo Texas Hold 'Em Series is the only poker sim that is worth anything, quite honestly.

Thanks for the kick-in-the-ass comment, Todd. My copy should arrive in a few days. Overdue.

Radii · 06-05-2003, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctmason
The Turbo Texas Hold 'Em Series is the only poker sim that is worth anything, quite honestly.

FWIW, I would give this software a strong recommendation as well. It drastically improved my disclipline after 4 or 5 hours of usage. It also lets you set up simulations to test your own theories(I had AKo I knew my opponent had JJ before the flop should I have stayed in? Set up simulation, run 10,000 hands, find out). Great stuff.

QuikSand · 06-11-2003, 09:23 AM

So, I'm fiddling with Turbo Texas Hold 'Em, and am impressed early on. Version 5 (the latest) has a lot of flexibility with the "profiles" that you use for competitors and advice.

Right now, I am playing with the advice cues turned off, but am fairly frequently using the feature to "check" my own judgement. That's a good balance for me - but the game is very flexible.

There's also an optional add-on for an "after-game critic" who will review your mistakes after a session. That might be worthwhile for me - that's the tone I probably need. ("That was a loose play.")

sjshaw · 07-10-2003, 08:53 PM

Slashdot had a few good articles and links on this general subject:

http://games.slashdot.org/comments.p...ad&cid=6407039

http://games.cs.ualberta.ca/poker/

robbgmaier · 07-11-2003, 12:12 AM

can someone give me a good link to order turbo texas hold em?

Eilim · 07-11-2003, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by robbgmaier
can someone give me a good link to order turbo texas hold em?

Turbo Texas Holdem

If you pick it up, please let me know what ya think. I had just been looking at it and thinking of picking it up but am currently hoarding my pennies for NCAA2004 and Madden2004.

-Eilim

QuikSand · 07-11-2003, 07:53 AM

Turbo Texas Hold 'Em is the first poker sim I have played where I truly felt I was learning about the game. Both Mrs. Q and I are hooked - it's a very solid learning tool. I understand those who have said that this is the only poker game worth buying if you are trying to become a good player. Maybe you can have fun beating the simpleton computer opponents on a cheaper poker game, but this game is deep, customizable, and rigorous.

I am just getting into "profile testing," but I can see why this game is worth the money. TTH at $90 or so is a beter deal for me than some casino games garbage off the shelf for $25.

Radii · 07-11-2003, 09:27 AM

I'll second QS again here, TTH is a great teaching tool. Playing TTH for a few hours to learn a few good lessons, understand the importance of tight/agressive play, learning good and bad starting hands, the importance of position, seeing different plays by different opponents and just simply getting the experience that comes with seeing hundreds or thousands of hands, is much much cheaper than getting that experience at a real table dropping real money

I have always felt it was totally worth the $90 or so I spent on it.

Vegas Vic · 07-11-2003, 12:26 PM

I also give this program high marks for anyone looking to improve their game. It will definitely make you a winner at the lower limit games. At higher limits, you will need to think much more deeply and mix up your play to be successful.

ctmason · 07-11-2003, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
Turbo Texas Hold 'Em is the first poker sim I have played where I truly felt I was learning about the game. Both Mrs. Q and I are hooked - it's a very solid learning tool.

You're welcome.

lcjjdnh · 08-06-2003, 04:12 PM

Looking at the site for Turbo Texas Hold 'em, I also see that Tournament Texas Hold'em is available as well. Does anyone have any input as to which of the programs is better?

Radii · 08-06-2003, 07:45 PM

If you want to try to play tournaments, then tournament texas holdem is. But for your average player, definitely the regular one.

Strategy in tournaments varies signifigantly in parts from 'normal' ring games, so if you want to work on your normal game, then you definitely want Turbo Texas Hold 'Em.

digamma · 08-06-2003, 08:06 PM

I'm curious how others use Turbo Texas Hold 'Em.
I usually play with the overlay advice off--so you actually have to pull up the advice if you want it. I also use the "Challenge Mike" feature fairly frequently. Others?

QuikSand · 08-06-2003, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by digamma
I'm curious how others use Turbo Texas Hold 'Em.
I usually play with the overlay advice off--so you actually have to pull up the advice if you want it. I also use the "Challenge Mike" feature fairly frequently. Others?

I use "Challenge Mike" a lot, too. It's tough, but instructive.

Bonegavel · 08-07-2003, 10:37 AM

At one point I thought this was turning into a Tax software thread. In place of Turbo Texas, I was placing Turbo Taxes. I almost had to ditch out of the thread, but thankfully, I perservered and made it. (actually, taxes and gambling are both great ways to lose money)

I have a the Real Deal Casino Quest game and it is adequate. I was real disappointed by the fact that their Craps (best game in a casino, BTW) table had bugs. Emailed them about it and they promised a patch, but the patch didn't fix it all. How can you put out a Casino game and not have the Craps table functioning properly?

I know this thread was about poker, but most Casino programs have poker in them somewhere. Real Deal has a Poker only game. Haven't tried it.

Calis · 08-07-2003, 10:45 AM

What's a good "fun" Poker game? I have the Turbo Tourney game, and will buy the Turbo Hold 'Em version soon, but I'm looking for something to just kick back and have some fun with also.

How's the WSOP Deluxe Casino one? It sounds like just an updated version of the old game folks here have been talking about, along with some other casino games added, is this true? Just looking for a decent poker game with a little added oomph to it.

As for the Reel Deal Poker game, I've heard rumors it is pretty awful, but can't really seem to find any info on it.

Airhog · 08-07-2003, 01:33 PM

Just dont go with hoyle casino. You will not enjoy the poker there. It would have been nice had they actually used a real tournament format, but instead they use this crappy take the top two players to the next round bs.

The ring games are not bad, but its not very challenging.

06-04-2003, 01:11 PM	#6
albionmoonlight Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	Other then their obvious interest in having every warm body in the casino spending money, are Casinos cool with letting a person watch people playing poker? I got Slansky's book, and I will probably pick up Turbo Texas Hold 'Em or some other game. However, before I become one of those guys that sits down at the table and makes all of the pros salivate, I'd like the chance to watch how it is played by real people (both to get more familiar with the pace, etc. and to make sure that I can easily follow a game without the pressure of playing before I start putting money up). Last edited by albionmoonlight : 06-04-2003 at 01:18 PM.

06-04-2003, 07:55 PM	#16
cuervo72 Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maryland	Hmm, the DirectTV guide synopsis for World Poker Tour tonight: "Hollywood" Movie stas and Playboy playmates compete with great poker players. Bonus __________________ null

06-04-2003, 07:57 PM	#17
RPI-Fan Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Troy, NY	I'd also recommend the World Series of Poker Deluxe. I got it on Ebay for less than $10 total, and it provides me a lot of fun. At the same time, it's a challenge. As the other fellow said, it's not a learning device (other than experience), but it does a nice job of combining fun and realism. ~rpi-fan __________________ Quis custodiets ipsos custodes?

07-10-2003, 08:53 PM	#21
sjshaw lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000	Slashdot had a few good articles and links on this general subject: http://games.slashdot.org/comments.p...ad&cid=6407039 http://games.cs.ualberta.ca/poker/ __________________ Hollywood Media Whores FOBL CHAMPION 2007 2020 2035 Last edited by sjshaw : 07-10-2003 at 08:54 PM.

07-11-2003, 12:26 PM	#26
Vegas Vic Checkraising Tourists Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL	Turbo Texas Holdem I also give this program high marks for anyone looking to improve their game. It will definitely make you a winner at the lower limit games. At higher limits, you will need to think much more deeply and mix up your play to be successful.

06-04-2003, 11:15 AM	#2
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	I have played a bit with a game called "Poker Night with David Slansky" - which is commonly available on ebay. I have mixed reviews... the player personalities are a little over the top, but the game play is adequate. I think to get serious, you probably need to invest in one of the more intensive programs, but there's much more investment involved, as I recall.

06-04-2003, 11:27 AM	#3
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	The Turbo Poker series is supposedly very good.

06-04-2003, 12:41 PM	#4
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	Anyone else think the World Poker Tour is an elaborate scam that is being secretly funded by the casinos? Just about everyone I work with (myself included) seems to think they can somehow win at this game from watching the travel channel on Wednesday nights. I bet all of the pros are salivating at this renewed interest in casino hold em.

06-04-2003, 01:19 PM	#7
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Alb, if you visit the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, their poker room is surrouned in glass, and there are plenty of people who sit in and watch the tables near the edges. Actually walking into the room, and hovering over the card players is frowned upon, but some people still do it. In Vegas, the poker room at the Mirage is pretty viewer-friendly as well - as are most, by my recollection. (I watched a game at the Flamingo, of all places, for about two hours before deciding that I needed to wait until one particular guy was gone) Watching first is a good thing, especially to understand pace and gesturing.

06-04-2003, 01:26 PM	#8
ctmason High School JV Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Mesa, AZ	The Turbo Texas Hold 'Em Series is the only poker sim that is worth anything, quite honestly. The Sklansky software Quik is referring to is pretty much crap, IMO, and its a shame Sklansky, one of the best minds in poker has his name attached to it. I do not have my copy of Tubo anymore or I'd send it out to you. I would suggest Lou Krieger's books for newcomers to the game first, then graduate to the Sklansky/Malmuth Two Plus Two texts. It worked better for me in terms of understanding game play and terminology. I think that is a logical progression. All this talk is making me wish I hadn't just quit gambling.

06-04-2003, 01:27 PM	#10
Anrhydeddu Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Oct 2002	Hoyle's Casino is what I used frequently to play poker (Omaha - Tournament) but lately I am having to implement house rules. I would love to know of a more challenging table of Omaha.

06-04-2003, 02:06 PM	#11
Honolulu Blue Dynasty Boy Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Michigan	I'd like to throw in World Series of Poker Deluxe into the mix. The computer opponents aren't great, but they're decent - probably better than most games that are available in stores. Teaching is not its strong suit, so if you want a program to teach you the game, this isn't it. But I think it would be good once you've learned a few things and see how well you do. It has 7 card stud and Omaha in addition to Hold 'em.

06-04-2003, 02:18 PM	#13
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Panerd, Just to make sure you understand me. . . I do not think for a second I could win at big time poker. I do OK at poker night with the friends, but I have no doubt the sharks would eat me alive at a big money table. Not that I'd ever go to a big money table anyway. I gamble for fun and watch my money very carefully. I budget like I would for a normal night out. I'll rarely throw down more than 40 bucks at any casino or gambling establishment. That said, I'd enjoy a tough game of poker against a computer opponent. I'd also like to get better at the game and get a feel for what I'm supposed to do in the different games. Also to get a feel for where my strengths and weaknesses are. TroyF

06-11-2003, 09:23 AM	#20
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	So, I'm fiddling with Turbo Texas Hold 'Em, and am impressed early on. Version 5 (the latest) has a lot of flexibility with the "profiles" that you use for competitors and advice. Right now, I am playing with the advice cues turned off, but am fairly frequently using the feature to "check" my own judgement. That's a good balance for me - but the game is very flexible. There's also an optional add-on for an "after-game critic" who will review your mistakes after a session. That might be worthwhile for me - that's the tone I probably need. ("That was a loose play.")

07-11-2003, 12:12 AM	#22
robbgmaier College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2001	can someone give me a good link to order turbo texas hold em?

07-11-2003, 07:53 AM	#24
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Turbo Texas Hold 'Em is the first poker sim I have played where I truly felt I was learning about the game. Both Mrs. Q and I are hooked - it's a very solid learning tool. I understand those who have said that this is the only poker game worth buying if you are trying to become a good player. Maybe you can have fun beating the simpleton computer opponents on a cheaper poker game, but this game is deep, customizable, and rigorous. I am just getting into "profile testing," but I can see why this game is worth the money. TTH at $90 or so is a beter deal for me than some casino games garbage off the shelf for $25.

07-11-2003, 09:27 AM	#25
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	I'll second QS again here, TTH is a great teaching tool. Playing TTH for a few hours to learn a few good lessons, understand the importance of tight/agressive play, learning good and bad starting hands, the importance of position, seeing different plays by different opponents and just simply getting the experience that comes with seeing hundreds or thousands of hands, is much much cheaper than getting that experience at a real table dropping real money I have always felt it was totally worth the $90 or so I spent on it.

08-06-2003, 04:12 PM	#28
lcjjdnh College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NJ	Looking at the site for Turbo Texas Hold 'em, I also see that Tournament Texas Hold'em is available as well. Does anyone have any input as to which of the programs is better?

08-06-2003, 07:45 PM	#29
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	If you want to try to play tournaments, then tournament texas holdem is. But for your average player, definitely the regular one. Strategy in tournaments varies signifigantly in parts from 'normal' ring games, so if you want to work on your normal game, then you definitely want Turbo Texas Hold 'Em.

08-06-2003, 08:06 PM	#30
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	I'm curious how others use Turbo Texas Hold 'Em. I usually play with the overlay advice off--so you actually have to pull up the advice if you want it. I also use the "Challenge Mike" feature fairly frequently. Others?

08-07-2003, 10:37 AM	#32
Bonegavel Awaiting Further Instructions... Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Macungie, PA	At one point I thought this was turning into a Tax software thread. In place of Turbo Texas, I was placing Turbo Taxes. I almost had to ditch out of the thread, but thankfully, I perservered and made it. (actually, taxes and gambling are both great ways to lose money) I have a the Real Deal Casino Quest game and it is adequate. I was real disappointed by the fact that their Craps (best game in a casino, BTW) table had bugs. Emailed them about it and they promised a patch, but the patch didn't fix it all. How can you put out a Casino game and not have the Craps table functioning properly? I know this thread was about poker, but most Casino programs have poker in them somewhere. Real Deal has a Poker only game. Haven't tried it. __________________

08-07-2003, 10:45 AM	#33
Calis College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	What's a good "fun" Poker game? I have the Turbo Tourney game, and will buy the Turbo Hold 'Em version soon, but I'm looking for something to just kick back and have some fun with also. How's the WSOP Deluxe Casino one? It sounds like just an updated version of the old game folks here have been talking about, along with some other casino games added, is this true? Just looking for a decent poker game with a little added oomph to it. As for the Reel Deal Poker game, I've heard rumors it is pretty awful, but can't really seem to find any info on it.

08-07-2003, 01:33 PM	#34
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	Just dont go with hoyle casino. You will not enjoy the poker there. It would have been nice had they actually used a real tournament format, but instead they use this crappy take the top two players to the next round bs. The ring games are not bad, but its not very challenging. __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

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