The Official Unofficial Beginner's Toolbox Thread

[AcesFullMoon]

Hey guys! I didn't want to get out of line by posting an "official" thread since I'm not exactly an old hand hand here in the Beginner's Forum . However, mephisto starting an official bankroll thread got me to thinking this sub-forum could greatly benefit from a continuous thread in which the more experienced players posted anything and everything they come across that might benefit the noobs.

I've noticed that I have a few go-to links and tables I find myself constantly posting and re-posting in various threads. While I certainly don't mind--I like feeling useful tbh--I think it would be way more efficient for our Beginner community to kinda maintain an ongoing library for the new guys. Of course, there will always be specific questions that need answered, but I'm starting this thread in the hopes that we can create a helpful archive of information and links.

So, gogogogo

[AcesFullMoon]

Obviously, we must begin with the Beginner's Guide sticky: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/78...micros-430637/

Fee's Guide is required reading for all aspiring 6-max players: http://s3.amazonaws.com/ryanfee/fees6max.pdf

Poker players think they're cool, so they use lots of jargon, so here's an acronym/slang guide. Actually, this is just a link to the beginner's FAQ, posted on the top of the forum, but it seems to get overlooked daily--and hourly. You should read the whole thing, but if you only read one, read *34 so you understand what's being discussed:http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/32...ncement95.html

This is an easy to use, Java-based winrate calculator created by a 2+2'er. You find your winrate and standard deviation in your PT3/HEM. 95% confidence is standard, so don't mess with it: http://www.castrovalva.com/~la/win.htm

Go to this page to download a more detailed, Excel-based winrate analyzer created by Ansky, a renowned poker coach. It can determine your personal bankroll requirements based upon the data you input. Put different sample sizes in as well. This will help you realize just how long the "long term" can be in poker. If you don't have Excel, you can view in google documents or if you download shareware that can read .xcl: http://www.anskypoker.com/tools/

This is a nifty Odds Chart that allows you to look at hand odds as percentages, ratios, or probabilities. Very useful if converting from one to other gives you as many problems as it used to/still does give me: http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/odds_chart

This is a link to tons and tons of odds charts for all kinds of situations. Like 2 dozen charts here: http://www.flopturnriver.com/poker-odds-charts.html

Here's a link to a site that basically does what PokerStove does, but stripped down. It's useful because you can pull it up after you take a beat and figure out just how bad it was in less than 30 seconds: http://twodimes.net/poker/

Free programs that you MUST have:

SharpStats will get you by until you feel like springing for PT3 or HEM (you really should get one or the other, but this will help in the meantime): http://sharpstats.ucoz.com/

PokerStove is a must to help you understand equity vs. ranges: http://www.pokerstove.com/download/

If you're going to do sweat sessions (teleconferences with other players) and you should, you'll need these programs: TeamViewer allows others to see your desktop. Be 100% sure you turn off the remote access option or they will also control your desktop--http://www.teamviewer.com/download/changelog.aspx

CamStudio is free screen recording software for making sweat vids--http://camstudio.org/

Skype is AIM on steroids. Supports group chats too.--http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/

[AcesFullMoon]

When you're ready to post your sick garphs, you'll want to take a screenshot by pressing PrtSc (printscreen button). Then open Paint and past. Then upload it to http://photobucket.com/

If you record vids that you want to share, I recommend (also free) http://www.megaupload.com

Well, I'm bout tapped out. I love free stuff though, so here's links to 2 free, but personalize-able internet radio providers:

http://www.pandora.com/
http://www.slacker.com/

Lastly, here's a link to a free training site that should put you on the path to solidly-TAGish, breakeven poker: http://www.pokertrikz.com/

To take the next step, you'll want to look into joining a subscription training site. AFAIK (As far as I know), the biggies are: Stox, CardRunners, and DeucesCracked (offers free 1 week trial). But there are newer sites that are rapidly gaining followers like: BlueFire, Leggo, and Poker Savvy.

Here's a decent link that lists them and provides links to these and others: http://www.parttimepoker.com/poker-c...aining-reviews

[davidv1213]

how to use the hand converter: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/55...-thread-71183/


might be worth just trying to get this stuff added to faq http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/32...um-faq-200946/

[AcesFullMoon]

You greedy bastards 93 views and no one had anything to add besides david's great contribution (can't believe I overlooked that)?

Did I outdo myself so much there's nuttin' to add? I'll fess up. I wouldn't mind seeing some links you other guys use to improve your game....for myself lol. And the newbs. Noobs. Whichever it is.

[Ice_W0lf]

As soon as I have my computer at home working.. I'll see what I can come up with.

[JacknCoke56]

I'm not sure if this was covered in your post but here is my favorite post to beating the micros:

A Complete Guide to Beating the Micros

Here is another great post on micro stakes:

How to Beat the Micros (Theory)

The Basics on the "fish"
Here

[bumblebee99]

link to the anthology thread?

i'm at work so it's not bookmarked here, and i'm too lazy to search will do it later if no-ones done it.

which reminds me, ozi's how to use the search facility thread could get linked too.

[Ice_W0lf]

Originally Posted by bumblebee99

link to the anthology thread?

I'll have it in my post fwiw.

[Rossta]

this is some quality stuff so far. thanks.

[Ice_W0lf]

General Information

Beginners Forum FAQ- Read it.. or CMAR will be locking your threads
Official Dumb Questions Thread- need a quick question answered that just seems really dumb (what's a boat?) ask it here without ridicule
Beginners Stat Thread- Post your 10,000 hand minimum stats here, and have some solid players find your leaks
Weekly Forum Games- Feel like kicking back and having some fun but competitive games with some 2+2'ers.. this is where the games get organized
PSA: Spam- Ozi tells us how to report spam.
PSA: Search- Ozi teaches us how to use the search feature on 2p2 (not always easy) Every beginner SHOULD read this... many topics (brm being a big one) are repeated often, and this is a quick way to have your question answered.
PSA: Bad Beats- Ozi tells us why cluttering up the forum with bad beats isn't acceptable. It's also the unofficial BBV thread for beginners, as you can bump the thread with a bad beat post
Beginners Pics Thread- Nothing useful here really..just a fun thread where people post pics of themselves.
LC/NC Beginners Thread- Where you can post about pretty much anything... life poker girls (pics welcome )
Also keep an eye out for the monthly results/goals thread.. it can be a great way to set some goals for yourself and push yourself to hit them.

Beginners Forum Posts- Building a Bankroll
Build a Bankroll- The original build a bankroll thread by GinaSD
Build a Bankroll: Part 2
The forgotten build a bankroll thread
Build a bankroll Part 3
Raze: Pooh-bah Post- raze tells us the story of going from $5, playing lhe and bonus whoring to crushing 1knlhe and 2knlhe
Raze- Climbing the Ladder- Raze expands on his pooh-bah post to tell of his rise to 1knl (with contributions from others)
10nl to 200nl- JackWilcox posts his experiment, moving from 10nl to 200nl.. sharing how he feels is the best way to play each level, sharing hands and other tidbits along the way.

Pro's post in Beginners Forum Too!
Colin Moshman Answers Questions- Author of Sit n Go Strategy stopped by to answer some basic sng questions
Fees guide to going robusto- LAPT winner and cash game player Fees gives us a guide about how to become robusto
Ask WCGRider Anything- Cash Game grinder WCGRider takes on beginner's questions.
Why you suck at uNL, pt1: Playing Aggressively- Cash game grinder WCGRider tells beginners why they suck at uNL
Why you suck at uNL, pt2: Bankroll Management
Why you suck at uNL, pt3: Game Selection
Why you suck at uNL, pt4: Honesty and Perspective
Why you suck at uNL, pt5: C-Bets and Barrelling
Why you suck at uNL, pt6: Hand Reading

Other Good Links

A complete guide to beating the micros
2+2 Anthology Thread- One of the most important threads you can (should) look through
Beginner's Study Circle- Get in touch on aim/msn/skype etc with other players that are grinding up through the ranks.. help with hand history reviews, talk strat. etc.
What would you do differently?- 2+2'ers talk about what they would do differently if they could start over with the knowledge they have now
Similar to the above link.. things you wish you knew when you started playing
How to pwn calling stations- Davidv123 shows us how to get more value out of calling stations
Outplaying players who don't fold- Our own supermod teaches us how to beat no foldem players
KK on an ace hi flop discussion

[Ice_W0lf]

I've got more... but that's a start i guess.

[JacknCoke56]

A guide to Note Taking:
Here
A link to CMAR's post on crushing the short stack:
Here

Anthology Thread:
This is Very Important

W0lf already posted it, but it has unlimited wealth of information there. So I felt it necessary to repost it.

[crazyfool1985]

for the limit players out there [who are getting few and far between nowadays unfortunately]

you cant go wrong with checking out Bona's Monthly Digest. Its always stickied in the micro limit forum which is this way

Also this is a little nugget of gold also
http://poker.wikia.com/wiki/MicroLimitLibrary

[Vanity]

really solid thread A+ yo