Poker Through VmWare or Boot Camp?

[Knightsridge]

Ok

I currently own a 13' Macbook. I love it.

Now I only put boot camp on my macbook for online poker; no other reason. I dont surf, download music, watch dvds nothing. Just poker. I am scared of viruses spyware etc after the last 2 pcs I had got wiped out by a virus. So I boot in and out when I play poker. (I know macs are now poker friendly for many sites but I am quite a serious player and the programs that I use to help me play ie PokerTracker, AHK scripts, PAHUD are not on the mac so no dice)

I have been reading this forum a lot recently figuring out what machine I wanted to buy, size, model etc. I just purchased (but have yet to receive) a 24' iMac. 4 GB Ram, 1TB.

Now, as much as I love my macbook, I would prefer not having to boot in and out each time I play poker. I just ordered windows xp off amazon and my plan was to use VmWare Fusion. However, I have been reading about lag issues concerning Vmware when 'gaming' and I am hesitant. When playing multiple tables of poker, lag is not an option. Does anyone play poker through VmWare? Does anyone know if 1.5 GB devoted to windows would not be a problem and my issues of concern are unfounded? Again, to clarify, I would be running one poker site (PokerStars) with 16-24 tables, pokertracker which keeps track of every hand I play, and AHK scripts through Hot Key. No vids, music, or pics on windows, but I possibly would be having music or vids at the same time on the mac.

I want to run windows and mac at the same time, but not if I am going to have a headache each time I play.

Cheers for any help
-K

 

[Knightsridge]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/565437/

I just saw this thread, is poker on the same wavelength as 3-D games

 

[xpipe]

Online poker isn't really gaming as the term is generally used in the VMware vs. Boot Camp discussion. They're concerned about 3D graphics, which aren't required by this kind of game.

Does anyone know if 1.5 GB devoted to windows would not be a problem and my issues of concern are unfounded?

1.5GB dedicated to Windows will not be a concern and your issues of concern are unfounded


My last XP PC came with 256MB RAM (until I later upgraded it). 1.5GB should be more than enough. My Vista w/VMWare has just over 1.5GB and runs fabulously.


My friend is into these sites (the fake money free versions) with a crappy old Dell with 256MB RAM and and integrated graphics from five years ago, and it's fine (actually, I gave him a new computer recently, but it played fine on the Dell).

 

[xpipe]

Taking a peek at the requirements for that PokerStars site...

Minimum system configuration (Yes, we tested it. Not too fast, but still playable):
· 100 MHz Pentium (800 Mhz for Windows Vista)
· 64 MB RAM (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME) or
96 MB RAM (Windows NT 4 , Windows 2000, Windows XP) or
512 MB RAM (Windows Vista)
· 800x600 screen resolution with 16-bit color depth (High Color)
· 20MB of free disk space for download
· 56k dialup Internet connection

Recommended system configuration:
· 333 MHz or faster CPU (800 MHz for Windows Vista)
· 128 MB of RAM or more (256 MB or more for best performance)
· 512 MB of RAM minimum on Windows Vista (1 GB or more for best performance)
· 800x600 or 1024x768 screen resolution with 16-bit color depth (High Color)
· 60MB of free disk space for poker download installation
· 128kbps or faster DSL or Cable Internet connection

It looks like you should definitely be fine.

 

[Knightsridge]

Thanks so much to both of you

Vmware it is

Cheers
-K

 

[looking4anotebo]

Am I reading that right? You play 16-24 tables at the same time? How is that possible?

 

[Knightsridge]

Am I reading that right? You play 16-24 tables at the same time? How is that possible?

I started playing 1, then 4, then 6, 9, 12, 16, 24

It sounds like craziness from non players, but there are a ton of players online who do this (maybe not a ton, but quite a few)

FWIW, I did 24 tables at 50$ tables, but as I move up in stakes the table numbers decrease. ie 100$ tables I only do 16-20.

 

[AEP]

You do know that there is online poker that run on OSX

i use full tilt poker daily. It works a treat, granted ive never played 24 tables at once.

just thought if you didn't mind switching sites you could save yourself the cost of windows.

 

[Knightsridge]

You do know that there is online poker that run on OSX

i use full tilt poker daily. It works a treat, granted ive never played 24 tables at once.

just thought if you didn't mind switching sites you could save yourself the cost of windows.

Pokerstars is Mac-friendly as well, but the programs I use to track my play (hands, money, opponents play) are not. Sometimes when I am lazy and dont want to boot into windows I play some heads up on mac (one table) but for a proper session, I never play without the programs which track my play.

 

[adom]

Pokerstars is Mac-friendly as well, but the programs I use to track my play (hands, money, opponents play) are not. Sometimes when I am lazy and dont want to boot into windows I play some heads up on mac (one table) but for a proper session, I never play without the programs which track my play.

Wow I think I need some tips from you. Im playing poker with my friends for the first time in a few weeks lol.

 

[allmIne]

For a long time I played using Bootcamp with 10gig partition devoted to Windows, and never had any problem. Having said that, all I had was poker software.

As was hinted at above, poker isn't in anyway taxing for your computer, so you can 16 table with HUD etc. and you won't have a problem.

andy.

As an aside, I deposited into Full Tilt, and I'm damned if I'm ever going back there, now that I've finally got my money out. Two deposit options (and ones a check, so I'm not going there, as I'd like my monies this side of Christmas) and rumours of having to hit a certain number of bonus points before being allowed to cashout!

Shady.

 

[Knightsridge]

Just wanted to say I bought Fusion and it works a dream with poker sites

Thanks to those who offered advice

 

[xpipe]

Great! Just don't gamble your Mac away