I can only speak to the play money side of Poker Stars. Their software will show you what you have in a play money game, i.e., if you are playing Omaha Hi/Lo, they have on-screen print showing (not a separate window) of what you have. There is no recommmendation as to how to play your hand, just the same buttons to bet, check or fold that you'd find in a money game. That is helpeful when trying to learn how to read your hand in a split game where you are looking at more than one way to win, but when you've got those basics down, go play cheap for real money. The sooner you separate yourself from the play money to the money gamnes, and the sooner you can wean yourself from the help, the better off you'll be.

I'm not dissing the free money games, I still play them on occation. I have close to $200,000 in Poker Stars play money, and will get into a game that I don't usually like to play, just to gain experience. ...and I started that account with their regular $1000 free buy in.