Poker Software

I'm new to playing and mostly play $1STT or $1MTT (27-45 players), with the occasional ring game. (Just started, so with the intention of moving up over time) I've heard about PokerTracker and knows it's useful, but is it useful enough for this low level to buy? Same with SNGWiz? Or some other software that I don't know of? As is, I don't have too much trouble winning the STT on average, so thoughts? Thanks!

All of this software has a free trial, however, I don't think its very useful at the buy-in level you play at. Wait until you're up at $20 SnG's or 25NL.

I am a fan of places like checkyourbets.com that allow you to track your results. And propokertools.com or a program like Pokerstove or Poker Razor are quite useful. You could also make use of an ICM calculator, which you can easily find on google.

I would also recommend you to take advantage of the free trial from wizard and PT. Besides Pokerstove is for free and useful at any buy in.
Also I think it could be very intersting for you to see how your and your oppenent's stats change if you move up to higher buy ins.

Wow, never thought I'd find myself disagreeing with c9, but if you are serious about improving your play a program like HEM or PT3 can help you, regardless of your level. If you have some serious leaks, you may never reach $20 SNG or 25NL. PT3 or HEM can help you find those leaks so you can move up and be profitable.

True, the features geared towards comparing your stats to other players at your current micro level are pretty much useless at the mocro's, but the features that allow you to review your personal playing stats, track your results and review your hands are invaluable to any player serious about improvement. Get the free trial, you have nothing to lose.

I agree with the above, tracking software is helpful at any level as it allows you to keep tabs on your play. Another great thing you have done is become a member here... anything you find with software that doesnt look right, post here and your sure to get help!

Sure its helpful at any level. But if you're playing 5NL, a $50 poker program is 10 buy-ins! TEN!

So if you're beating the game for 5 big blinds per 100 at 5NL, and a poker tracking program improves you to 6bb/100 (which is a large increase in win rate), the poker program will pay for itself in ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND hands!

On top of that, let me address this point:

I disagree with this as well, for two reasons:

1) You start focusing on stats rather than good play. I guarantee you the number of "How good are my stats" threads far outnumber the "what range should I be opening on the button against two fish" threads. However, it should be the other way around. HUDs cause new players to think too much about stats and not about good play.

2) The leaks they have are obvious and very fixable without a HUD. Basic hand analysis and reviewing your own sessions can ID the leaks you have pretty easily. And that stuff is free, and its a habit you should develop at lower stakes.

When you begin multitabling tons of tables as you move up (if you choose to) TableNinja is an excellent tool. Until you start multitabling, a HUD isn't that big of an advantage unless you plan on playing a whole lot and really studying a lot of past hands.

You do make some valid points, but:

1) Having a HUD is only one small benefit of using tracking software. Personally, I rarely use the HUD (only use it when I am playing over 4 tables at once). But I still look at individual hands and my session overviews as a whole and use that info to help improve myslf in certain areas that I feel I've been struggling with. Trackers also help you keep accurate track of your progress, instead of relying on selective memory. Having your HH's stored and sorted in one neat place may help the players with bad review habits get into good habits due to the ease of procuring this data. It's a pain in the ass to have to manually review and sort all your saved HH's from your harddrive and due to this many players simply don't bother. Making these stats more visible and accessable can only help the analytical process.

2) Tracking programs make the data easier to access and review through the use of filters. Many newer players have no idea what they are looking for while perusing their HH's, and tracking programs offer tutorials on how to use and filter the vast amounts of info from your sessions to make the most out of your analysis. Many players are ignorant as to what their leaks may be, and tracking software can help bring these glaring leaks to your attention.

3) As for the point of the program costing you 10 buy-ins. True, it does, 100K hands is alot to make up the difference. But, many players do not play just 2NL. Tracking software is also useful to small stakes SNG and tourneys as well. Something alot of people tend to forget. Plus, you get a 60 day (two months!) free tial, which is plenty of time to gain valuable insight into your game for no money spent. Case in point: I have used my copy of PT3 for the past 40 days, and in that time I have nearly made enough additonal profit to justify buying it when my trial runs out. Individual results may vary, of course.

All in all though, tracking programs only benefit you if you take the time to use them properly and can process the info presented. Using a program, with or without the HUD, alone will not instantly make you a better player. Like any tool, it can help make the job easier only if you use it right.

I would like to recommend you take benefits of the free trial of the driver and Portugal. Besides Pokerstove is free and very useful to each & every buy in. I also think that it could be very interesting to see how your statistics change your opponent if move up to higher buy ins.

NOw while I understand both sides of the arguement, I tend to agree more with C9 which is that the value increase in your game at 2nl using PT is not worth the cost of it plus if you are serious about your game and belong to a poker forum, your going to post hands regardless, your going to ask for strat advice etc. You dont need it at the micros, its nice to have but far from something you need.

Well, I downloaded the free trial of Poker Copilot (seems the best I could find for Macs; really surprised by the lack of mac poker products honestly). Since, I'm mainly single-tabling SNGs, the HUD hasn't been too beneficial, but the tracking portion is.. interesting. I'm still trying to figure it all out, but that portion seems the most useful at the moment, like the above have stated, for finding my leaks.

Does anyone know of a Wizard-like program applicable for macs?

PokerTracker has a Mac version. If you go to the "download" page in the lower right hand corner it says "Show Mac versions..." Worth checking out, I don't use a Mac but I like PT3, and it's a 60 day trial.

Ah, I somehow missed that. I'll try that after this 30 day trial.

Try taking notes.
Look at consistency of bet sizes, the strength of hand when they showdown, if they consistently raise in certain situations, how often they bluff and the frequency that they call.

Use that information to help read their hand strength along with what your hud is telling you.

Try and see as many showdowns cheaply as possible.I sometimes call players to buy information to confirm how they are playing.

imo it depends on how much you use the software. I like numbers and stats a lot, they help me make decisions. Even knowing someone's VPIP helps my decisions a lot in knowing how loose they are.