Just Getting Started and Wondering What Software to Run?

[ImNewHere]

Well, I've finally decided that to get better at poker I need some help. I've tried playing .10-.25nlh on poker stars and it's a struggle. I've played a fair amount of time(10,000players points) and I've seen my bankroll go between $50-$400($88 currently). But i'm just not consistant. I've heard of different software that will help track your play as well as opponents and I'm wondering what you guys recommend? Other advice to help me be more consistant would be helpful as well.

Thanks,
Ken

[spoonitnow]

I suggest you play 2nl for now.

When you have $100, play 5nl. (20 buy-ins)
When you have $250, play 10nl. (25 buy-ins)
When you have $750, buy PokerTracker 3 or Holdem Manager and play 25nl. (30 buy-ins)
When you have $1750, play 50nl. (35 buy-ins)
When you have $4000, play 100nl. (40 buy-ins)
When you have $10000, play 200nl. (50 buy-ins)

I suggest moving back down when you lose 1/3 of your moving-up bankroll requirements. For example, if you move up to 25nl, you should move back down to 10nl when you lose 1/3 of $750, which would put you at $500. While you're doing all of that, work your ass off studying and you'll have a good side income within a year. Good luck.

[LawDude]

I suggest you play 2nl for now.

When you have $100, play 5nl. (20 buy-ins)
When you have $250, play 10nl. (25 buy-ins)
When you have $750, buy PokerTracker 3 or Holdem Manager and play 25nl. (30 buy-ins)
When you have $1750, play 50nl. (35 buy-ins)
When you have $4000, play 100nl. (40 buy-ins)
When you have $10000, play 200nl. (50 buy-ins)

I suggest moving back down when you lose 1/3 of your moving-up bankroll requirements. For example, if you move up to 25nl, you should move back down to 10nl when you lose 1/3 of $750, which would put you at $500. While you're doing all of that, work your ass off studying and you'll have a good side income within a year. Good luck.

What spoon says. If you have disposable income and are interested in poker for the long haul, there's nothing wrong with signing up for the free trial of PokerTracker3 right now (i.e., when you start out at 2NL) and purchasing it when the 60 days run out. It really is invaluable to determine where your leaks are and how to get better.

[ImNewHere]

That's great info guys. I think stepping down is a good idea and it sounds like you both think PokerTracker is the way to go. I'm going to go that route and see what happens. The leaks are what I really need to see right now. I do feel that with some work I can play some good poker.

[TonyB73]

That's great info guys. I think stepping down is a good idea and it sounds like you both think PokerTracker is the way to go. I'm going to go that route and see what happens. The leaks are what I really need to see right now. I do feel that with some work I can play some good poker.

Both PT3 and HEM have free trial periods, so I'd try both and see which one you like best before purchasing. There's pretty violent disagreement amongst regs as to which is better, and at the end of the day I think its just a personal preference.

Oh yeah, and do what Spoon says re limits - you don't have anywhere near enough money to play 25NL.

[Arjonius]

What level you're funded to play depends on your total bankroll, not just the amount you have on a specific site. Said total includes all the money you're willing to use for poker, no matter where it is, including in your pocket, bank, etc.

To use myself as an example, I have enough to play NL50. It just happens to be spread across multiple sites. So if I have 50 on a particular site, I have no qualms playing it all.

It can get a little tricky if you decide to add to your roll over time; e.g. I've seen some people commit to adding $x per week or per month from their pockets no matter fi they've won or lost.

As for PT3 and HEM, they're tools that quantify opponents' tendencies. You still have to adapt your game to take advantage. This is a key and fairly common among micro players who "play their cards".

[LawDude]

What level you're funded to play depends on your total bankroll, not just the amount you have on a specific site. Said total includes all the money you're willing to use for poker, no matter where it is, including in your pocket, bank, etc.

To use myself as an example, I have enough to play NL50. It just happens to be spread across multiple sites. So if I have 50 on a particular site, I have no qualms playing it all.

It can get a little tricky if you decide to add to your roll over time; e.g. I've seen some people commit to adding $x per week or per month from their pockets no matter fi they've won or lost.

As for PT3 and HEM, they're tools that quantify opponents' tendencies. You still have to adapt your game to take advantage. This is a key and fairly common among micro players who "play their cards".

I actually think the most important aspect of poker software to an inexperienced player isn't the HUD (though, of course, there's nothing wrong with learning how to use it and incorporating it in your game at an early stage). Rather, it's the tracking function. The software collects all your hands, allows you to review and replay them, allows you to filter results by all sorts of variables (so that you can find out if you are losing money playing hands from early position, or playing particular starting hands that should be +EV, or stealing or defending your blinds, or 3-betting, or any number of other situations).

This is huge in finding out where your leaks are. So I think this is of value to the player starting out even if the player never turns on his HUD until later.

[phil8493]

I actually think the most important aspect of poker software to an inexperienced player isn't the HUD (though, of course, there's nothing wrong with learning how to use it and incorporating it in your game at an early stage). Rather, it's the tracking function. The software collects all your hands, allows you to review and replay them, allows you to filter results by all sorts of variables (so that you can find out if you are losing money playing hands from early position, or playing particular starting hands that should be +EV, or stealing or defending your blinds, or 3-betting, or any number of other situations).

This is huge in finding out where your leaks are. So I think this is of value to the player starting out even if the player never turns on his HUD until later.

So I'm beginning and I hear your point. I'm trying PT right now. Granted I've only imported several thousand hands, but it seems like it will take FOREVER for me to know my profitability for my entire game -- no to mention the profitability of playing AJ in early position. Seems like I'll need to play several million hands to get a sense of such things.

My understanding is that I won't know my win/lose rate (for all situations) until I've played 50,000 hands. I won't get there for a year or more....

So what can I do to learn the game w/o having to play for a few years?

I'm wondering if Poker Academy/Wilson Turbo are good investments?

[kiwiMark]

^Here's the kicker. Your game will change so much over your first 50,000 hands that those stats will be a poor reflection of your game as it is then. Enjoy!

[spoonitnow]

So what can I do to learn the game w/o having to play for a few years?

http://www.flopturnriver.com/pokerfo...-a-153854.html

[Kijjo]

Yeah, that's fun, get used to hearing that your sample size is too small to mean anything. Mathmatically it's true.
I think until you've played a large quantity, you have to focus on the details - choose your worst few hands of a session or mark a couple tough hands during the session (ones where you lose track of your plan/not sure if you're ahead or behind) and go back and study those. If you do this continually, you'll improve your game while building a database.