Highest level you were successful at without PT?

Just wondering at what level were you guys able to still win without using the Pokertracker and similar software? And does ANYONE at 25nl and over not use it? I think I will treat myself when I move up to 25nl. Sort of like practicing months for a big race and buying a new pair of shoes before it

There are lots of players who don't use PT3 or HEM or equivalent at 25NL to 100NL. Many are easy to identify if you use a HUD, since their stats show them up to be bad players - if bad players were to learn to use these products effectively, they wouldn't be quite so bad, their stats wouldn't suck so much, and they wouldn't be so easy to exploit.

This isn't to say that there aren't good players who don't use one of these products, just that I seriously doubt the bad players are or they wouldn't be so bad.

These are the guys you want to sit down with. Keep the above thoughts to yourself, don't point it out in chat (tapping the tank).

gg and gl!

Most of the nosebleed players don't use a HUD. A HUD will not make you good. It mostly just allows you to play more tables. You can win at 25NL without a HUD I'm certain. But it certainly couldn't hurt.

However, Hold'em Manager will teach you a lot if you spend time analyzing your play away from the table. That's the key. Don't buy HEM and sit on it, buy it and analyze your play. If you bought it and never used the HUD, it'd be worth it.

a lot of the high stakes guys dont use huds

The highest level I was successful at without using a HUD was 5/10 NL.

P.S. I still don't use one.

Yeah I wouldn't say PT or HEM makes you more successful.... It helps you make better decisions. When your playing multiple tables, or even just one table you can't always keep up with all of the action. PT and HEM do that for you, thus giving you a helping hand. Some of the people that have these programs don't even use them 100% or know how to use them 100% (I know I'm still learning how to use it)

The highest level I was successful at was 3/6 NL. I haven't played any higher levels as I will get too nervous and don't want to lose my bankroll. I don't use a poker tracker and I never tried a poker tracker.

I think there are plenty of successfull players that dont use a HUD at all levels, its just they only play 1-4 tables. If you're going to play 10+, a HUD is the great equalizer, for the lack of attention your able to give.

You know I suspect there are a few winning players that likes to stay old school but didn't respond and I definitely don't blame you lol. I am running well (so far) at 10NL but I think I will need a little help at 25NL.

On another note, does anyone feel like these software programs can be comparable in some aspects to steriods or at least HGH in baseball. At the very least I would say it is creatine. I am a big baseball fan but even I don't know where to draw the line between legal and illegal performance supplements and as a huge poker fan, I sort of feel guilty using a pokertracker or HEM. Opinions?

You dont need HUD/PT3/HEM to be successful...it just makes it that much easier to remember past playing styles and identify leaks much easier. I was playing 5/10 NL and 20/40 LHE online without it....but when I got the program free by winning an MTT, I jumped on it (actually I was dumb, I should have just purchased it a long time ago)