Hi!

I am looking to take the online grind a bit more seriously (against all odds and expectations). I've only ever really played on Stars without software. Earned roughly $1/hr on average playing up to $50NL, playing casually over the years. i.e. I marginally beat micro/small stakes. $100NL+ is where I feel like I don't beat the regs anymore, so I stopped going up there.
If I seriously study and use software etc, I think I can turn it into a decent side hustle, especially since I'm not working atm. I am mainly just eager to learn and get better, as it will also help me at live poker too (where I'm closer to ~$25/hr).

ANYWAY.

Was hoping to get some feedback on the recommended setup needed for the online grind. I need, I think:

- A laptop dedicated for poker (~€500 budget)
Made a thread for recommendations in the dedicated sub-forum
https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/4...nding-1774930/

- Stats software (PT4 / HM3 $100)
- Solver software. I have no idea what the good ones are nor how it works, so any finger pointing me in the right direction would be great!
- Flopzilla / Equilab ($30/free)


Anything else that I need??

I would recommend gto+ as a solver just due to the price point.

Ok thanks! I've heard good things from GTO+. Will probably end up with that one then

one comment: if you're going to use solvers, probably get access to a pack of MonkerSolver preflop ranges because my guess is your assessment of likely preflop ranges might have flaws. the Monker ranges likely aren't accurate to your population but if you're wrong about how your population is deviating you're going to get huge issues with solver outputs

in terms of a laptop dedicated to poker you need to consider what you mean by 'dedicated to poker'. music software (more iTunes than foobar2k) can be fairly big resource hogs, as can web browsers, especially if you're running e.g. Youtube along the side.

you definitely don't need a gaming computer for poker BUT:

1. to effectively use local-resource rather than cloud-resource solvers you want at least 16GB RAM and an i7 or equivalent, more if possible. Some more dedicated players are now renting servers for solver use.
2. it might not actually cost much more to improve on integrated graphics unless you're building once you're meeting those specs. if you might have any interest in gaming/video editing it kind of meets the 'may as well' test.
3. Windows Windows Windows. Like it or not, when cutting-edge software is developed, it is developed to be compatible with Windows. If you can use Ubuntu or whatever (I'm not really a tech type so don't know the details) to run Windows software then fine, but a Mac is not a good choice for poker specifically.

At this point you're looking at spending around £500 at least on the computer.

The consequential comment: the main reason you're spending that kind of money is because of the solver, not the poker client or tracking software. Until you're at a point where you can reasonably fund that through poker, it might be worth not making that initial outlay. You do not need a solver to get good at poker, and it's very easy for a solver to make you worse rather than better.

I'd only use a solver once you've reached a point where you are reaching points where you are regularly thinking 'I'm not sure I can learn more from training videos etc, I really want to know what the subgame optimal strat in this spot looks like'.

Personally, at the time I bought my solver I was grinding 200 zoom and trying to push upwards (I didn't because I didn't work hard enough). You absolutely do not need a solver to make £25/hr, especially if you have access to decent app games etc.

That's some great advice there TDA, thank you so much!

I think you may be right, maybe first master riding the bike before I look at how a car works (bad analogy but I tried).

I have a solid foundation but have by no means mastered my ranges yet, nor use tracking software. Perhaps first prioritise those, and study whatever free content is out there, before I start working with solvers.

Definitely moving on to Windows (typing on a Mac rn). How much you reckon I should spend on a laptop without using solvers? Do you have any recommendations in the UK (where I also am atm)?

Never heard of MonkerSolver preflop ranges. I have been looking for a pack of preflop ranges regardless, useful looking to get one even without a solver?

You mean £25/hr online? And with apps, you mean actual phone apps? I hear people say they know some good Chinese apps and whatnot, but the ones I looked at were often playmoney or I hear withdrawing can be shady.

A poker laptop without using solvers honestly doesn't need to be substantially different from a work laptop.

So when I talk about Monker preflop ranges they're 'solved' preflop ranges given common rake constraints (solved is obviously not 100% accurate here since to solve preflop you need to solve the entire game tree, but they use a few shortcuts to be approximately accurate).

Regarding £25/hr I suppose I'm really talking about 50bb/hr at 50NL or 25bb/hr at 100NL. The latter is 600 hands/hr at 4bb/100 which is probably just about achievable working hard without a solver. Maybe 25 is too high to set it though.

I'd disagree with TDA on this one.

When you get up to 25nl/50nl I think most of your winnings should just be invested back into learning materials/solver/coaching.

If you're winning 4bb/100 at 100nl you're likely already somewhat okay at poker.

**And if you have the disposable funds probably just invest the money in now if you're serious about getting better. A coaching session or some training materials could potentially save you hundreds of hours.