Video poker guru Bob Dancer responds:
Maybe. Letting the computer identify the hands you misplay is a different sort of learning experience. When the computer shows you enough times that from an unsuited AKQ you hold only the KQ when playing Jacks or Better, eventually you learn the correct play, even if you don't know why.
Another feature computer learning brings is being able to check hands that you encounter while playing for real. Maybe you ran into something like 8d9sTsJsQs in JoB and weren't sure if you should dump the straight to go for the straight flush. Regardless of whether you made the right choice (holding all five) or not, when you get home you can punch those cards into the system and you'll know what to do the next time you encounter the situation. I know players who write down every close play so they can check them later (although they wouldn't have to if they had a strategy card). This certainly isn't a boring way to learn.
Some folks have given up on learning new things. If you're in that category, even using good software will put you to sleep. But if you're still able and willing to learn, using software is a much gentler way of learning than reading books.
Also, many who'd like to learn to play video poker don't speak English as their first language. For these people, reading books written in English is difficult, but practicing on a computer where you see the card images is a very useful way to learn.
(Editor's Note: Bob Dancer was the lead consultant for the excellent software Video Poker for Winners and the author of the world's best video poker stategy cards.)
