What poker software should I -- and all beginners have?

[NoSocksLLC]

http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...oker-34203.htm

The above thread got me thinking...there's all these great pieces of software out there...what should I be buying from the start? Right now, I operate from nothing but the seat of my pants -- but I know I should have some help from all these great programs out there...

The question is: which ones?

Best,
EW

[taipan168]

I would start with PT, then get SNGPT once you've built your roll a little. I know vqc disagrees, and don't get me wrong, I think SNGPT is great, but it is possible to do ICM calculations manually (OK, with a spreadsheet) and/or get feedback by posting on this forum.

[Staresy]

Yep, PokerTracker for me.

SnGPT is very good, but it is all about working out pushing edges when short-handed really and, primarily the bubble.

Better to work out your leaks so you can actually get there more often than working out what to do when you do get there.

[Da GOAT]

I recommend SNGPT. Really helpful.

I bought SNGPT a few months ago and only bought PT about a month ago (was tracking my results on excel). Im happy the order I bought them in but Im delighted with what PT offers.

Both are ridiculiously (spelling) underpriced!!!

[Hartlin]

What is ICM?

[Staresy]

ICM = Independent Chip Model

Very basically ....

it equates your stack to a share of the prize pool and works out whether you should or shouldn't make a call or push based there on.

Lets say you are 4 handed, and the stacks are

Player 1 = 1000
Player 2 = 4000
Player 3 = 2000
You = 3000

........ therefore ........

Player 1 = 10% of the prize pool
Player 2 = 40% of the prize pool
Player 3 = 20% of the prize pool
You = 30% of the prize pool

..... ok? ...... Right, let's now say that Player 2 is pushing lots of hands and is capable of pushing any two ...... and the blinds are 100/200, no antes ....

.... Player 1 folds, Player 2 pushes AI, Player 3 (SB) folds .....

.... You look down in the BB at K T ......

Do u call or fold here?

well, PokerStove tells us that KTs is a 60.6% : 37% fave over a random hand with a 2.4% chance of a tie.

Therefore you now work out what happens if ....

1. you call and win
2. you call and lose
3. you call and tie
4. you fold

So ....

1. will happen 60.6% of the time and you will end up with 6100 chips (double-up plus the SB) or 61.1% of the prize pool
2. will happen 37% of the time and you will end up with 0
3. will happen 2.4% of the time and you will end up with 3050 (you split the SB effectively) or 30.5% of the prize pool
4. will happen when you decide to fold! but you end up with 2800 in chips or 28% of the prize pool

Then basically, if 1+2+3 > 4, you call, if 1+2+3<4, you fold

OK? Right, quick bit of maths,
1. 60.6% x 61.6% (or 0.606*0.616) = 0.373
+
2. 37% x 0 (or 0.37 * 0) = 0
+
3. 2.4% x 30.5% (or 0.024*0.305) = 0.007
=0.38 (or 38% of the prize pool)

So calling, over the long run, will give you 38% of the prize pool where as folding only leaves you with 28%. Therefore, in this particular situation, this is a clear call.

have a read of this

and this

[Scuba Chuck]

Out of curiosity, how does PokerTracker help a new player? I didn't buy it for the first 8 months or so, then bought it, but never used it for another 4 months. And then I only used it to work with my HUD. For the first time, the last month or so, I am beginning to actually use the thing. I seemed to do ok without it for about 10,000 SNGs.

(Assuming we're only talking about playing SNGs) I would think the only beginning things you need is Pokerstove. And that's free. The next most important thing to have would be a spreadsheet program (for keeping stats).

[Staresy]

Out of curiosity, how does PokerTracker help a new player? (Assuming we're only talking about playing SNGs)

Well, to a new SnG player I would say that PT helps in spotting the hands which you are losing money on (more than the ones you are actually winning on). However, I do accept that a certain amount of refinement is necessary in order to assess it's effectiveness for SnGs. For instance, you can't just look at your stats and say "oh, I make lots of money with 98, so I must call that all the time". You need to spot how, where and when you are making money with these hands.

Then there is the need to spot leaks early on (whilst the blinds are low). Running through your HH's might not spot it, because for every time your KJ gets flattened, you just choose to look at that OESD you hit to de-stack someone. However, when it is staring you in the face that KJo loses you money in the long run at a certain blind level (and then it reappears throughout) then maybe this is when the penny drops that there is a time and place to play this hand.

[Scuba Chuck]

Out of curiosity, how does PokerTracker help a new player? (Assuming we're only talking about playing SNGs)

Well, to a new SnG player I would say that PT helps in spotting the hands which you are losing money on (more than the ones you are actually winning on). However, I do accept that a certain amount of refinement is necessary in order to assess it's effectiveness for SnGs. For instance, you can't just look at your stats and say "oh, I make lots of money with 98, so I must call that all the time". You need to spot how, where and when you are making money with these hands.

Then there is the need to spot leaks early on (whilst the blinds are low). Running through your HH's might not spot it, because for every time your KJ gets flattened, you just choose to look at that OESD you hit to de-stack someone. However, when it is staring you in the face that KJo loses you money in the long run at a certain blind level (and then it reappears throughout) then maybe this is when the penny drops that there is a time and place to play this hand.

I'm sorry, but for playing SNGs, you've just proven why you don't need PT.

[taipan168]

Agree with Scuba about Pokerstove. You really can't do without it.