Which software should a poker player definitely have?

hi Avatars91,

which ones do you have already?
i think the first nice thing (and probably most basic) to have is a program that can track your hands/winnings/stats so you can follow your progress and evaluate your hands and your game. i know of 3 programs which function like this:
- Holdem Manager (which you can buy from here)
- Poker Tracker
- Elephant (which you can download here)

i play cash games and in my opinion, the Equilator/Equilab is a really useful tool when reviewing spots. i've also tried Table Ninja which can be quite good if you are a heavy multi-tabler, but probably not strictly necessary.

i dont know much about SNGs but i think the ICM tools here should be quite useful and i've heard that the SNG Wizard is a must.

maybe others can share their opinion as well.

smiles,
wendy

to find all the programs we offer, click on the "Strategy" tab--> "PokerTools" (in the small gray bar just below the tabs)

if you need help, just give a shout

I use Equilab, Holdem Manager, and Table Ninja.

The first two are vital (other equity programs or tracking programs may work too).

The last one I could do without but sometimes its very useful.

edit: I play cash games.

- How to choose between HEM, Pokertracker and Elephant?
- Doesn't Table Ninja work only on Pokerstars?

Skip elephant..

There are basically two contenders for HUD/tracking software - HEM 1 and 2 and pokertracker 3.

Ive tried all 3 and i probably have to reccomend hem2. They are not all too different tho, so either one will be good.

Consider tho, that both hem and pt3 have free trials. For pt3 its 60 days i think. Use these trials to make an informed choice, and get a bit of free value.

On a side note - getting used to playing with a HUD can take some time and effort. (away from your game) Consider dropping in stakes and simultaneous table count when you learn to use them.

I have played with elephant, but, as I remember, my experience was that it was often buggy.

Does HEM1/2 and Pokertracker 3 display stats for tournaments / SNGs?
Did any of them display stats for FTP's Rush poker?

Originally posted by Avatars91
Does HEM1/2 and Pokertracker 3 display stats for tournaments / SNGs?
Did any of them display stats for FTP's Rush poker?

They all display stats for tournaments. HEM1 and PT3 displayed stats for Rush poker.

Also i think table scan turbo is really good, really useful when looking for soft tables & is also free

poker room software is absolute must

Originally posted by bonebt
poker room software is absolute must

what do you use it for ?
where I can download it ?

windows 95+

Can you also see how profitable certain hands for you have been during the course of your play in HEM or Pokertracker?

Originally posted by Avatars91
Can you also see how profitable certain hands for you have been during the course of your play in HEM or Pokertracker?

yes you will be able to see your biggest winning hands and biggest losing hands

And then the last question:

Does Table Ninja work on other platforms besides Pokerstars?

Originally posted by Avatars91
And then the last question:

Does Table Ninja work on other platforms besides Pokerstars?

Hm...
Yes and no.

There is 3 different TableNinjas:
1) For PokerStars
2) For FTP (deceased)
3) For PartyPoker

Unless you bought a package, you have to buy TableNinja for each site separately.

Of course there is 30-day trial for each site

EDITED:

Oh, and one more thing.

Right now TableNinja is not so "must have" on PokerStars cos of Hotkey Options (still in beta testing though) available in P* lobby. Just have a look in: "Options" ---> "Hotkey Settings (Beta)..."
That options covers most of the TN uses. Now I use TN only for his SnG Sensei (automatically keeps open/opening given number of tournaments) so I can focus just on playing not opening new SnGs

Thanks a lot you guys!

You really helped me out.