[WolfieW]

I'm new to chiptalk and also to poker. I'm a Blackjack player who wants to expand to poker. I've heard about Wilson's Texas Turbo Hold'em Software for training and learning the game and was wondering if anybody on Chiptalk can recommend it or has any other suggestions/recommendations for software training.

BTW, I've browsed the Protege chip forum and am very impresses with that new line of chips by Sidepot. I'm thinking of getting them but realize there will be quite a wait before they will be readily available. Those of you involved in the production of that chip line -- NICE JOB!!

Wolfie

[jamby]

Welcome to ChipTalk Wolfie.

The Protege line is something that many of us are looking forward to with eagerness. Glad you appreciate it as it was something quite extraordinary to watch unfold. There was actually a competition among CT members on the various denom color combinations that was followed by another competition for inlay design. That was the fun part. The not so fun part is waiting for delivery.

I can recommend the Wilson Turbo Texas hold 'em software. I can also recommend the Wilson Software company as they are great to deal with. I use the Wilson software even more now that online poker has slowed so much. I first heard about it reading James MacManus' "Positively 5th Street" book and decided to try it based on the author's recommendations. I think it's extraordinary.

Again, welcome to CT. We're glad you're here.

-jamby

[WolfieW]

Jamby,

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I read just about all the threads on the development of the Protege line, including the contests for design. I've looked at all the pictures posted. I'm almost convinced that my first set of real chips will be Protege (Samurai was another option but I'm not sure I want fantasy chips).

I probably won't be buying chips for several months. No point in buying them until I've learned the game and had some experience. When I'm ready I'll also need to buy a poker table and am considering a nice 8 seat 2-way poker/dining room table. I'm thorough in researching things I get interested in before buying.

Thanks for the rec on Wilson. I had heard that it was the industry standard, outclassing all the competition. I just wanted some confirmation (and hope more chiptalkers will chime in) from the poker community.

The welcoming, friendly response of members so far has made me very glad I joined Chiptalk.

Wolfie

[bolgenmod]

Wolfie --

I have the Wilson software, and while it is good, I have to say I don't use it much. Another suggestion for trying to learn is to play the micro-limits: although many of those players are really loose, playing against real players for real money (even very small amounts) is better than playing against the mostly predictable computer players. (And they do get VERY predictable.)

PokerStars, for example, has .02/.04 limit and .01/.02 no-limit. A normal buyin for the limit game would be around a dollar; I don't know what the maximum buyin for the no-limit would be, but I suspect it is around $2. Not big bucks by any means!

If you are just starting to play, I would suggest reading Ed Miller's Getting Started in Holdem. This is the best beginner's book out there, but it is not simplistic: it explains some very important concepts. This book came out well after I started playing, and I still found some valuable concepts in it. It will also direct you to other books.

So that is what I would recommend rather than the Wilson softward: get GSIH and play the micro-limits. And if you have strategy questions, post them in the poker strategy forum: there are a lot of good players here.

As for chips, the samurais ROCK!! I would definitely get samples of the samurais and the proteges (when they become available) before buying a set. Heck, get samples for LOTS of sets -- that is what being a CT member is all about!!! Welcome, and I hope you made a lot of money playing blackjack because you're going to need it if you spend any time around here!

[trubble]

Wolfie,

If you are interested in software, I think that the Poker Academy enjoys a better reputation for hold'em. It doesn't have any other games, but for hold'em (all forms) it is recommended.

[jamby]

Poki's Poker Academy is good software and I own it also. I prefer the UI that Wilson has though since the major upgrade that it last went through.

Originally Posted by trubble

...think that the Poker Academy enjoys a better reputation for hold'em. It doesn't have any other games, but for hold'em (all forms) it is recommended.

[WolfieW]

Jamby, Bolgenmod & Trubble:

Thank all of you guys for your responses and suggestions. I appreciate the welcome.

The books I have just purchased and plan to study are (in the order I will study them):

1. Getting Started in Hold'em by Ed Miller

(Bolgenmod is right: I already started reading it before your suggestion, Bolgenmod, and came to the same conclusion as you)

2. Winning Low Limit Hold'em by Lee Jones

I had read some of this a few years ago (an earlier edition). I just bought the latest and will read it after Miller.

3. Small Stakes Hold'em by Miller, Sklansky, Malmouth

How can I go wrong with those authors? And, yes, I've been warned about their advice being for loose games only.

4. Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players by Sklansky & Malmouth.

I already owned it but never read it.

I plan on reading other books (more Sklansky, Malmouth, Ciaffone, Harrington, etc.) but these 4 will be thoroughly studied first.

Trubble, I'll look into Poker Academy also. Heck, I'll probably get it and the Wilson software both. Wilson's is on sale right now for only $59 so it is a good time to get the latest version.

I'll also look at the micro games suggested. Actually, I joined the free Ultimate Bet site last night. It was advertised on a poker tournament on TV. I browsed a few games but they went too fast for me. After I've practiced on Wilson or Poker Academy software for awhile I'll try out some of the free and micro websites.

I talked to a guy at a poker & billiard supply store and he told me about a free hold'em league that plays in bars. He said it is probably the best way to gain experience and I can play every night of the week, if I want. So, I'm definitely going to try that. It will be real experience at no cost (except the cost of my drinks in the bar while playing!)

Finally, Trubble, yes, I've made a good bit of money at Blackjack. I'm a succesful card counter who hasn't been thrown out anywhere yet. However, BJ is a finite career. I'm now at stakes that call scrutiny upon me. It is only a matter of time before I get tossed from a few casinos. Eventually, I won't have any places I can play that are close by.

Poker is different. I love blackjack, mind you. The game itself is too simple and boring, but the cat & mouse game I get to play with the casinos is a kick, especially since they comp me for room, great restaurants, etc.) But I want to widen my venue. Poker is inherently a more complicated and interesting game. Although comps are a practically non-existent for poker players, the big benefit is that the casino won't kick me out of their poker room, no matter how good a player I become!

Lastly, Trubble, I hope I don't get as sick as you guys with chip addiction! Since I'm not hooked yet, my plan is to buy 1 set of really nice chips (perhaps 1,000 - 2,000 chips) and a nice poker table for the dining room that is a two way table (dining room table and poker table). Of all the chips I've looked at on-line, the Samurai and the Protege are the most attractive. I also like the attitude and philosophy of Sidepot towards chips (if I can believe their ad hype).

However, I haven't investigated the Custom Chip route yet. I have PhotoShop skills but don't think I can come up with a design that is as nice as Protege. Besides, it doesn't seem like you have the choice to build custom chips from the ground up (color, edge spots, etc.) as the Protege community here did. Sidepot's custom chip line, for instance, allows you to create your own inlay but you are limited to 18 color/edge spot combos.

I'll check the custom chip threads but, if any of you have had the patience to read this far, I'd welcome your suggestions on custom vs. the existing Protege or Samurai line.

Thanks for all your friendly suggestions!

Wolfie

[bolgenmod]

Wolfie --

Your reading program is exactly what I would suggest to a beginner. However, sometime around your reading of SSHE, I would recommend reading The Theory of Poker (TOP) by Sklansky. Some people recommend it as a beginning text, but I think you need some experience to really get some of the topics. And you must get the latest edition of Jones' book -- earlier editions are not as good.

One caution about free games, either at the bar or online -- people tend to play absolutely crazy when no money is at stake. After all, it is just for fun! It is thus very easy to get frustrated with the bad play and/or to develop bad habits in these games. I never played the lowest micro-stakes, but I understand that the difference between the free games and the .01/.02 games is HUGE.

And if you were successful at blackjack, I suspect it will not take you very long to be able to handle the speed of the online games!

Good luck and enjoy -- poker is a GREAT game!

[tikipirate]

FWIW, I have found that the play money games help tremendously in pattern recognition and in playing with very loose callers. YMMV. Additionally, later stages of play torunaments (assuming you can last longer than the donks) are good practice. Of course the best way to learn is to A) Study B) Play. Good luck and welcome to CT.