What "Tools" Do You Use?

[MaddHatter]

Coming out of a B&M Poker Scene and into the Online Poker Scene, I've noticed that there are many "tools" you can utilize that aren't normally available. Software, Charts, etc are all things you can refer to while sitting infront of your computer screen, but if you were to whip out a calculator at a B&M Game, you'd get the [censored] kicked out of you.

So here is my questions, what "Tools" do you utilize when playing online, how does that help you, and why do you choose to use them? This can be anything from PT & PAHud to Printable Outs Charts or whatever, I'm just curious what everyone uses if anything.

[CappyAA]

I use PT. I probably should use PA Hud, but I am lazy. Perhaps that is probably a good idea though, and maybe I'm leaving money on the table by not having it.

[Pokey]

I use PT and PAHUD exclusively. Odds charts are unnecessary if you know the "rule of 2 and 4," and if you're still using preflop hand charts, you're playing the wrong game. The on-the-fly statistical software doesn't help, because it can't put an opponent on a hand: knowing that my hand wins 77% of showdowns against any random hand doesn't tell me ANYTHING if my opponent raised preflop and check-raised the flop.

Beyond that, I use PokerStove and Excel to help understand my game offline. I also use 2+2, but that goes without saying.

[MaddHatter]

Thanks Pokey - after finishing TOP my first time through, and going through and re-reading/highlighting key portions on my 2nd pass, I was wondering how many people actually used the Outs Charts (15 outs with 1 card to come ~ 30% to hit, etc) or if they just memorized or used the 2/4 rule, etc. I don't want to rely on "tools" so much that I can never play at a B&M casino, but I think the utilization of some tools *ie PT and PAH* just make for leveling the playing field

I don't use starting hands charts or have I heard them recommended

[Grunch]

I bucked the trend, and I'm using PokerOffice now. (Except with FTP)

[sdfsdf]

pokertracker, pahud, tweakUI activation follows mouse (the window becomes focused when you move your mouse onto it, it was really useful when i played 8 tables but now i only play 3)

[epdaws]

Anyone want to drop a link to the software that revives data-mining for us Partyers? I don't have the patience to sift through the tech section, but it's relevant to this thread.

[DWarrior]

PT+PAHud, more reliable way to get tells on opponents.

You should memorize the odds and a bunch of other random ones (I should probably review these, but about a year ago I memorized the odds of flopping a set with PP, the odds of flopping a straight with connectors or flush with suited cards, odds of A flopping and someone holding an A when you got KK, stuff like that). I think memorizing at least this much shows a level of dedication to learning the game.

I think starting hands is a good idea to at least think about. For example, you get AKo UTG, why should you raise it? For me, it's a value bet against the fish who'll call with worse A, and taking control of the hand allowing me to win the pot if nobody improves. I don't re-raise with AK, despite what many books suggest, because I don't believe it adds any deception to my game (as many SS players either don't pay enough attention or will automatically assume you re-raise AA-QQ+AK) and in the weak/tight field of online poker, re-raising AK I believe is -EV.

A little while back I made basic starting hands chart and looked at what % of hands it would be (what my VP$IP and PFR would be if I used that). Although it's not the real stats (as I also take shots at blinds, raise to isolate, fold to a rock, etc.), it's a pretty good estimate erring on the conservative side.

I don't believe it's a good idea to use a starting hand chart during play because it's the wrong direction to go in. In general, you want to think about your game away from the table and execute your system at the table (you may experience eureka during a session and unlock a new concept, but that's an exception to the "rule"). I believe using hand charts and Texas Calculatem mixes the two and will steer you to the wrong path.

That being said, I still only play at $100nl.

[II nRg II]

is PA HUD much better than gametime+ ?

[A_PLUS]

I can't play without multitablehelper anymore. Although, it does cause one serious misclick every 500 hands or so (avoidable, if you pay attention before you enter a bet amount, but I am lazy). So far, the misclicks have helped more than hurt. I accidentally raised to 22$ (meant to bet 2$) from the SB with ATo. BB tanked and pushed for 30 more. I called, and won with A high vs. KQs. But the software is awesome, especially with a wireless keyboard.