Pokertracker and other similar software

[LeonardBCurtis]

I recently started using pstars and fulltilt. I've started with playmoney, eventually want to work up to freerolls, then ramp up to real money. I was wondering what the best completely free (no trial) tracking software is to start on. I heard about pokertracker from some friends but it looks like you can only get a free trial then have to pay. Any help or links are appreciated!

[DanielRStocker]

PT3 i believe is a free 14 day trial with no obligation to by after the trial expires.

Never heard of a 100% free tracking software.

[KyleSJohnson]

You're not going to find one that is completely free. You can however get a free HUD (at least you used to be able to??).
I really don't think it's all that necessary if you're just about to get started playing for real money (further on down the road.. especially if you're multi-tabling cash tables or if you're playing higher buyin MTTs & SNGs you'd want to seriously consider it.. (fwiw.. most poker coaches won't agree to coach unless you do have tracking software &/or HUD display).

[LeonardBCurtis]

Personally I'd skip the play money and instead just jump right into the freerolls and maybe consider making a small deposit and playing some super micro stuff (the players on most sites super micros are really bad and adopting a straightforward ABC strategy should have you winning in them).

[DanielRStocker]

I have to agree that you don't need a tracking software for now.
You have to focus on your table and not chasing numbers and stats.

About playmoney...
Leave it as soon as possible.
Play 0.01-0.02, but not playmoney or freerolls.

[KyleSJohnson]

About coaching ...
You need a tracking software for sure, but its not time for coaching now.
You cannot afford it and you have to know somethings about the game to be able to get advantage of a coach.

Try to play with real money and post some hands.
You can get some feed back and start thinking in the right way.

[LeonardBCurtis]

The step from freerolls to poker tracker is pretty huge.
In my opinion PT is profitable and it's normal to use starting from NL25 (10/25c), where ppl have a clue about what they're doing and for MTTs >11$ BI.
I used a trial, I liked it but won't purchase a license because I don't play ring that often and when I do I won't go beyond NL10

[DanielRStocker]

PT3 is a nice tool, but that is all it is. It helps after you have played 100,000s of hands to know who is tight and who is loose, but good players will change up during a particular game or tournament, so nothing beats experience.

Also, if you buy PT3 from the get go you might idenitfy certain leaks more quickly, like too many half calls from small blind, too many big blind protects, a hand you like but rarely wins.

But like the others have said, experience and getting hands in is the real way to learn and improve.

[KyleSJohnson]

PT3 is not that expensive, so if you can afford, I would get and turn it on to collect your hands but not worry about looking at it for a few months or so after you have 50,000 hands minimum.

And I agree with everyone, get off the play money tables. Bad habits can be formed there. If bankroll is a real issue, your best best IMO is Carbon, use the play money to play the step and gos and earn real dollars fast. You can play 10 level 1s per day, and if you are playing solid you should advance in at least half if not more.

Good luck at the tables.