Recommended Poker software
Posted by BlackDespair
Posted by
BlackDespair
posted in
Low Stakes
Recommended Poker software
Hey there,
I am a recreational player and am planning to get back into the mix after a 3-year absence.
My main motivation is to improve as a player. That's what I find quite challenging. Now, obviously there are new pieces of software out there and I was just wondering which software to buy
.
1) of course I need a tracker. And as HM2 isn't available for a mac PC I'll go with PT4.
2) What about a solver? I read a lot of great comments about GTO+ and was about to purchase it, only to find out it isn't available for Macs either. I loved their price and am not really planning to spend 200$ on a solver. So what should I do?
3) What about range builders + EV calculators. There are a lot of purchasable tools, but do I really need that or are the functions integrated in the solver software anyway? (I was thinking of tools such as flop falcon, equilab, flopzilla etc.) Is there a good free tool?
What would you say I really need?
I will be playing at the micros but for me it is less about beating the games (which of course you can also do without expensive software) but rather about improving and challenging me mentally.
Best regards
Loading 9 Comments...
1) PT4 is great and you'll love it for both the HUD and off the table analysis.
2) I don't know what you should do about a solver as a mac user. I use GTO+ because right - Why pay $200 just to get your feet wet with PIO?
3) Flopzilla + HoldEQ (it's accompanying equity calc for multiple hands in the pot) is extremely affordable, easy to use, and very visual. It's especially useful if you enjoy visual learning so you can intuitively make better decisions at the tables. Equilab is free, a great tool, and does most of what Flopzilla does. Power Equilab is available for as low as ~$5 USD/month and is, overall, the best equity calc you can use. Any of these would suit you just fine for starting out in the micros.
Do not purchase Flop Falcon. The fact is that the project itself was a flop, has no ongoing support today, and is a total waste of money/time.
I'm not sure that there's any reason to buy something like Flopzilla if you're planning on getting something like CREV/GTO+ . I believe that all solvers now have the functionality to look at range versus range/hand spots the same way that you could with a tool like Flopzilla.
You're pretty spot on here, James. This is why I would say that Power Equilab, CREV, and GTO+ would be the best place for the OP to start. Flopzilla is just redundant although again - it does help tremendously with equity estimation and range analysis, especially when dealing with combos being intuitively estimated during hands. Is that alone enough to justify it's purchase in my mind? Probably not. Not with the more advanced tools we're talking about here out on the market now.
Flopzilla is a great piece of software that is quick and easy to review hands. I would recommend getting it with crev/gto+. Can be used for different things.
Hey, I appreciate your answers.
So is there a cheaper alternative to piosolver that runs on a mac that you are aware of?
I would start with a essential rio membership, probably a software like pio will be too complex for complete begginer(imo) and u need quite a bit of knowledge how to use it properly
The pricetag of PIOSolver is always the #1 reason not to buy it. Considering the OP is going to be playing microstakes, PIO would be a huge waste of buy ins. I really don't understand why some of you actually seem to enjoy being gouged for outrageous amounts of money. There is absolutely no justification for PIO's pricetag, especially considering that there are competing products on the market that cost a fraction of what it does.
Sell your mac. With the money, buy a house (lol) and a PC. Then you can purchase gto+ :)
Hey there!
Welcome back to the game! Getting back into poker after a break can feel a bit like navigating a tech store during a Black Friday sale - so many options and updates to consider. Let me break down your queries to make your comeback smoother.
PT4 (PokerTracker 4): Good choice for a Mac. It's a solid tracking tool, and honestly, for most players, it's more about how well you use the data rather than the tracker itself.
Solver on a Budget: I feel your pain about the GTO+ and Mac incompatibility. If you're not keen on breaking the bank, consider running a Windows partition on your Mac through Boot Camp. This allows you to use Windows-only poker software. Alternatively, look for cloud-based solvers like Simple Postflop, which are a bit more budget-friendly and Mac-compatible.
Range Builders & EV Calculators: Tools like Flopzilla and Equilab are fantastic for drilling down into hand ranges and board textures. Solvers do offer some of these capabilities, but a dedicated range tool can offer more nuanced insights. Regarding free tools, Equilab has a free version that's pretty decent for basic needs. It's more about how you use these tools to understand and analyze ranges rather than just having them.
Since you're more focused on the mental challenge and improvement, it's not just about the tools but also about how you review your sessions, understand your decision-making process, and adapt your strategies. Remember, poker is a game of skill, psychology, and a bit of luck. Tools can help, but they're not a substitute for critical thinking and experience.
Given your situation, I'd say start with PT4, consider a budget-friendly solver (or use Boot Camp for GTO+), and experiment with a free version of an EV calculator. As you get more comfortable and if your needs grow, you can always upgrade or add more tools.
Also, for a bit more insight, check out this guide on poker tools: Poker Tools 101 - This Year's Guide to the Most Essential Tools for Winning Games. It's a good read with some additional perspectives.
Best of luck at the tables! Remember, the real game is as much about the journey as it is about the win. Keep us posted on your progress!
Be the first to add a comment