BR or software

This may be a stupid question:
I'm thinking about getting into playing for real money and don't know whether it's more important to buy some software (like Pokertracker or Hold'em manager) or add the money to my BR until I can afford it later. I basically want to get started for $100 to $150. Ideas?

Thanks for the help.

I have found that poker-tracker has helped me make better decisions at the table and therefore means more money in my pocket in the longterm. It is probably a wise investment

it depends what stakes you want to play, honestly software probably isnt neccesary if your playing .01/.02/1$sngs where its a completely different game down there and also, make sure the site your playing at enables software, as some sites do not allow it

Try getting the trial version of the software you are interested. I am currently on my 60 day free trial of Poker Tracker 3 and I absolutely love it. (yes, I will buy it when my trial is nearing it's end) This way you can see if it is benefitial to your game without the upfront investment.
BTW, PT3 and Holdem Manager are both allowed by all major rooms and networks.

Both options offer low-stakes versions of the program...I would start there and upgrade later. I think PT3's is $55, and I think keeping track of how you play is pretty invaluable!

If you are even asking this question, you shouldn't be buying software yet. Sounds like you need to figure out if online poker is going to be for you. Starting with $150, you won't be rolled for much anyway. So I'd hold off, figure if it's something you'll want to take more seriously. Then if you decide it is, save some money outside of your bankroll and invest in software. Starting out in the micros (which is what you are doing with $150) Spending $60 to $100 or whatever, for software is a huge hit to your roll.

Yea don't worry about software. You don't need to think much about the opposition when you are playing 2NL or 5NL. Just keep the most wildly agressive players on your right, you can mark them easily with the ingame system on Stars or FTP.

I plan to buy PT3 when I have won 1,000 USD.

There are a lot of ways you can get software like PT3 or HEM for free, by completing deals at online poker sites (not poker rooms).

I'd go with TheKAAHK's suggestion and get a trial of PT3 for 60 days, then HEM, see which one you like better, than do a google search for PokerTracker 3 free deals or Hold'em Manager free deals and see what you can find.

If you're gonna be playing cash games primarily then id say definately, if you're gonna be mostly playing low limit SNG's or MTT's then not as essential maybe, but definately get ure 60 day free trial on pokertracker! im gonna buy it as soon as my trial expires! good luck

You can get it for free at some poker rooms too, but be wary. For example, I was going to get PT3 from Party Poker by spending my points. However, after reading the fine print, I found that the version available only worked at Party Gaming sites. This would have been a disaster, as I play on several different networks and need my HUD for all of them. Here is the fine print from the Party Poker points store:

I would read the fine print for any deal you accept to ensure you are getting the same version of the HUD you get when you purchase it.

Agreed. That's why I said "(not poker rooms)".

my suggestion to you is you should go to the hold em manager site(or poker tracker) and download a poker room through that site and you will get hold em manager free for completing an offer(which would be fairly easily achieved with your starting BR).its the best of both worlds i think anyway.

No, do not do a free offer for tracking software, unless you can get it from a site that doesn't offer rake back.

RACK BACK > free tracking software

Trial versions of HEM and PT3, then you can decide.

this ^

also, imo you can play a ton of games prior to getting tracking software (if you're playing SNG or MTT). I would use the extra $'s for my bankroll "OR" invest in a few mos. of a poker training site, a couple of books (or a library card) first.

could you explain that to me please?(i just dont understand what you said properly but am very interested)

Tracking software = $90 or less

Rake Back = 27% of the rake you generate while playing.

27% is an average %, some sites offer more, some less. Rake Back is usually paid weekly for the amount of rake you paid in the previous week. You will earn rake back forever, it's not a limited time promotion.

A 10nl player playing 1k hands a day (less than two hours a day if you play ten tables at the same time) will earn about $20 (two buyins) a week in rake back. In five weeks you would earn $100 just in rake back. Which is more than tracking software costs.

Therefore;

Rake Back > free tracking software

Unless you find someplace that offers both. All the deals for free tracking software I've ever seen require you to use their promotion code when setting up an account. So you couldn't use a promotion code for rake back.

If you are asking me what rake back is, search CC for rake back, there are a ton of threads about it and how to get it.

Get the free 30 day trial of either HEM or PT3 and see how you find it. IF you see poker as a long term hobby then i have no problem with anyone buying tracking software, its probably going to be the only major thing you will every buy. I agree with TPC though, don't get it free through an affiliate you will only end up paying more for it long term.

Disagree with this.

Get it through an affiliate on a network that has dozens of skins (iPoker, Merge, Cake, etc) to get your PT3 or HEM for free.

Once you get it, switch to another skin on the network where you can open a rakeback account.

That's the beauty of networks. There are no limitations on playing on multiple skins, so long as you only have one room logged in at a time (obviously).