The appeal of poker software is quite simple and direct: one is able to learn and practice a game that is normally played for money without risking any real cash. Prior to the existence of such software, someone wanting to learn how to play a game like Texas Hold 'em had to learn the hard way, by playing for money against other poker players who already had learned the game.
Before going further, I should point out that the serious student of the game can - and should - supplement one's practice by watching televised poker tournaments and reading books. But watching poker events and reading books is not a substitute for experience.
I have heard the argument that one can get practice in these games for free at many online poker sites, where a person can compete against other live players for "play money." This is true, but not recommended, for the simple reason that poker, when not played for actual money, is a rather idiotic game, and anyone indulging in such an endeavor will inevitably establish idiotic habits. Why not risk my entire stack on every hand, just in case something good happens? That is exactly how many players approach the game when no real money is at risk. It might be a good idea to play a few hands for "play money" just to get a feel for how a certain poker website's software works, but more than that will ultimately prove to be costly.
Years ago, when I was playing poker with a semi-serious intent (and when online poker in the United States could be played legally), I used Wilson Software's Turbo Texas Hold'em and had good results with the software. I also used Turbo Tournament Texas Hold'em, which was specifically designed for tournament players.
In approximately the same price range was Poki's Poker Academy, designed for practice Texas Hold 'em ring games. This software came with a tracking chart which showed your results against the results of how things would have turned out had the program played the cards you were dealt, which was useful.
Wilson Software appears to be gone, and the same is true of Poki's Poker Academy. Poker Academy is no more, according to their website.
What's left?
There's a site out there selling something called Hold'em Manager 2 - I'm not providing a link - but the site accepts Bitcoin, which made me think the site was unsafe. Well, that and the sentence in Russian on the home page. Color me paranoid.
There are a few other sites out there as well, but nothing really struck me. At this point, my advice is to read a lot of good poker books and practice live as much as you can.
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