improving my game

Are there any free programs like Pokertracker out there? i dont have the $50 to spend even though i would like to. Trying to go from .25/.50 to .50/$1

PokerTracker and HEM have a free trial period. Usually studying the game a bit and then adding PT or HEM will allow you to profit enough to pay for the full version.

ok thanks which do you recommend?

I have never used HEM. I have used PokerOffice and PokerTracker2. I like PO hud but like PT2 stats better. I am migrating to a new computer and will be using PT3 there. There are a number of members who are dedicated HEM users and just as many PT2/PT3 users. Do some digging in the forum to read some of their experiences and take advantage of the free trials.

Additionally, just turning on hand history in your poker clients, then noting the hands you have problems with while you play and reviewing them afterwards is a big help. It is pretty easy with any editor to open a hand history file and search for the different hands you are dealt or search for your position.

Here is an example using a Poker Stars HH

PokerStars Game #25208968971: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/02/21 20:43:59 ET
Table 'Clavel IV' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Tuwei168 ($24.15 in chips)
Seat 2: PDROCK ($11.10 in chips)
Seat 4: Bagwell43 ($32.25 in chips)
Seat 5: D. AK-47 ($13.90 in chips)
Seat 6: jillychemung ($25 in chips)
Seat 7: RiverCity30 ($14.15 in chips)
Seat 8: mspitolai ($41.10 in chips)
mspitolai: posts small blind $0.10
Tuwei168: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jillychemung [As Kc]
PDROCK: raises $0.50 to $0.75
Bagwell43: folds
Shark'sDaddy joins the table at seat #9
D. AK-47: folds
jillychemung: raises $1.75 to $2.50
RiverCity30: folds
mspitolai: folds
Tuwei168: folds
PDROCK: calls $1.75
*** FLOP *** [Qh 4d 5h]
PDROCK: bets $1.25
jillychemung: folds
Uncalled bet ($1.25) returned to PDROCK
PDROCK collected $5.10 from pot
PDROCK: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.35 | Rake $0.25
Board [Qh 4d 5h]
Seat 1: Tuwei168 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: PDROCK collected ($5.10)
Seat 4: Bagwell43 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: D. AK-47 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: jillychemung folded on the Flop
Seat 7: RiverCity30 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: mspitolai (small blind) folded before Flop

I have highlighted items that I would use as search strings in my editor. So I could see how I play any hands where I'm dealt an Ace 1st. I hope you get the idea. Also there are hand replayer programs available (do a Google search) that you can feed the entrie history into and replay a session hand by hand. And there is always taking a hand, posting it in the Hand Analysis section and getting feedback on it. Make sure to read the posting guidelines to get the best analysis possible out of your post.

The trial-version of PokerTracker only works in frerolls and play-money games. But, you can get a free upgrade to the full version if you deposit with one of their partners.

I know a lot of people here swear by these programs, but I tried them and I don't like them, don't use them, wouldn't use them, and don't trust them.

Ummm... That's not true. I've got the trial verison of PT3 and it works fine for cash games...

Oops! I had HEM, not PT. My bad.

^^^ Ditto. There are a couple of features not enabled in the trial version of PT3, but I never used the trial version for play money or freerolls, only for cash game and cash tourneys. I've since purchased the license.

There's a stickied thread here: http://www.cardschat.com/f13/pokertr...-thread-99765/

The links provided by AG and others in this thread will give you a lot of useful info on the tool. Note that the cost in the opening post in the link is out-of-date, it's around $90 now.

I trialled both PT3 and HEM recently and cash games work/worked on both. PT3 gave me 60 days worth, HEM was much less, 15 or 30 days.

just a little observation, but you are properly bankrolled for 25/50 and moving to 50/100 and can't spare 50 bucks for PT or HEM ???

Well one buyin at .25/.50 NL (100BB) is $50 and you should have a bankroll of 20 Buyins so there should be no problems in paying the $50

If you are playing limit then you should still have a bankroll of $200 so again you should be able to fund it through your bankroll.

A HUD is invaluable and will only add to your game so you should look to purchase one ASAP

must have been typing my post whilst the guy above was typing his!!!