A. If you're serious about poker software, the only software that comes close is Wilson Turbo series (Turbo Texas Hold 'Em, Turbo Seven-Card Stud, and Turbo Omaha High-Low).

Wilson's artificial intelligence is well developed. The software comes loaded with dozens of cyber-opponents that play at different levels of expertise and with different styles, or you can create your own custom opponents. The program also has ready-made lineups that simulate loose, average, tight and low-limit contests, or you can let the software rotate players through the game (just like at a real casino). Your opponents will attempt to steal pots, bluff, go on tilt, and otherwise almost act like the sharks and yahoos who play at the local card club.

Wilson provides a stunning array of reports that measures your play against the cyber-opponents. My favorite feature is the starting hand analyzer. It records the hole cards for every hand and every player. The analyzer tells you how often each combination won and how much you (or any other player) gained or lost. You can see whose pocket aces hold up, and who is repeatedly going to the river (and losing) with a king and nine.

And here's the kicker (pun intended)... each program costs $89.95. That's right! Ninety big ones for ONLY ONE version of poker! Ouch! Why so expensive? Probably because serious poker players are willing to pay the price and do their homework. But goobers who hemorrhage cash at the tables won't buy Wilson Turbo products because they "cost too much." And that's exactly how the pros like it.

Wilson Turbo series is the clear winner for professional or semi-professional players.

Good luck!
Basil Nestor
The Unofficial Guide to Casino Gambling