In Progress Review of Calculatem

Updated 7 Jan 2006 - This is a review in progress of Calculatem. I will be updating it over time as I use it more and understand it more. Let me also mention that I am a winning poker player at low limits.

I initially had a problem attaching the program to the open playing window. This problem was solved after downloading the most current version. This was a bit aggravating since the version I had was less than one week old.

Basically this program uses Monte Carlo simulation, your position, and the pot odds to recommend a course of action. In addition, it provides additional information such as the most likely finishing hands for you and your opponents. The best description of the program is here.

The advice that the program is based on the current situation but you can modify the advice given by modifying the preflop and postflop sliders that can change your style from tight to loose. The advice is along the lines of "Check or call one small bet". It doesn't say "Bet $1".

At all times it tells you the percent chance of you winning and what the percent chance that you and your opponents will have certain hands.

I have been playing with it in limit games from .25-.50 to 1-2 and in no limit games of .25. So far, I can't say that it has been profitable though the evidence is too small to really say. I have kept the style parameters on average.

I think that it will work much better on limit than no limit because of the nature of the advice. Limit is a more mechanistic game than no limit and knowing the odds and pot odds plays a much larger role than in no limit where betting and bluffing play a much larger role. For example, I may have a large pair and am winning a hand yet a flush draw comes on the flop. In no limit, I can shut down the flush draw by betting large. I can't do that in limit. Calculatem does tell me to use that kind of betting strategy. In addition, trapping when hitting a set is also not in the mix of betting strategies. I believe in being aggressive and I find this program to be rather passive.

The bottom line is that I like the program and find, in the word case, that it is a very useful tool for calculating odds. In addition, you can get the program for free if you sign up with Noble Poker or Poker Room through Calculatem. However, the program can be used in these online poker rooms.

A review and blog devoted to Calculatem here.

A detailed description of Calculatem here.

A review and many user comments here.