Getting Serious About Poker...

I've been serious about poker for a while now, but I've always been the guy who goes with his gut, trusts his instincts, and playing the man not the cards. I mean I understand the odds and all that stuff, but just not my style. I do know that in order to raise my game I do need a few programs that calculate odds and such.

Just asking the forum as a whole, what are 1 of the programs or multiple programs I need for stuff like this. I know a lot of players have these programs. Just curious as to what I need. By this I mean programs to track stats, figure out odds, all that good stuff. I know you don't need these things to spell success, but they can't hurt right?

At least for odds, I think no program is really necessary (learn pot odds, percentages, and do them in your head) or perhaps just a calculator. Then again, I've never been a big proponent of software anyway.

Learn the odds. Doesn't take long

Software wise Pokertracker combined with PAHUD is my preference (other tools are available).

no software is needed but it sure as hell dosent hurt.

well what software is recommended... and yes I can do odds and stuff in my head, just using technology presented.

like has been suggested, pokerace hud, pokertracker or that pokermanager when it comes out full.

if you are on ful tilt, full tilt table opener and full tilt shortcuts are good.

which program would u say is the best hands down?

Pokertracker software is the standard...uh..poker tracking software

As was said above, you really don't need a program for odds calculation - learn those in your head. They're very easy, especially online where they show you the exact value of each bet.

Get Pokertracker and PAHuD, that's what most people (myself included) use. And yes, some scripts do help, though I haven't used any in a while. They're not a must-have unless you do some serious multitabling.

well I was just saying odds because I know most programs come with it, but I was more referring to like a statistics tracker almost. I think that's what you are talking about. Just want something that pretty much does it all. Thanks!

Well PT will do all of that. Track # of hands, winrate, hand-specific stats, etc etc etc. PAHUD basically displays the most useful in-game stats on your table.

If you don't have it and you are serious about poker, then go pick it up.

ight thanks... will definitely get the tracker... should I get the other as well, or is it not a necessity?

Well if you're multitabling, it's a HUGE helper. I can't play 2+ tables without it - I just start to lose my reads, and PAHUD helps me with that.

It's not essential, ie pokertracker will work without it, but it's definitely recommended. Don't worry about the cost - it'll pay for itself in the long run.

well I am a big multi tabler... usually 4 at a time cash, and 8 at a time SNG. how's your game been going by the way chuck, being an avid forum member and all.

lol wow. 4 table cash and 8 sng. thats ridiculous. insane even. how dyou find 8sng's running at the same time? lol diff buyins i assume

8 isn't ridiculous - perfectly doable with practice. What's ridiculous is that he's doing it without PT + PAHUD. I'm pretty surprised you manage that - there's no way you can keep reads on all the players with 8 tables.

Definitely get the two programs - you should see a nice rise in your winrate.


Fine, I suppose. I haven't played in a while as I've been really busy, and aside from a bad run last month, I've been raking in about 1/3 of my bankroll every month which is great for me. Thanks for asking :/

yea 8 isn't bad... somehow I can still get reads on my opponents and my style is kind of crazy and unpredictable. I go from super tight to super aggressive in a matter of seconds, and just really throw my opponents off. I have one of those visual brains too where I can remember a guy action from earlier in tournament.

Wolf, try PokerOffice as well. Both PokerOffice and PokerTracker offer trial versions. Office costs more, I believe, because it includes in game stats which you have to buy PAHUD for Tracker to do.

But the reason I suggest trying Office as well is because it calculates pot odds for you on the fly, and you've been asking about odds.