What is important for poker decision-making? First, your moves have to be based on knowledge. That’s why you need to have regular study sessions, which, by the way, Poker Academy’s Preflop Tool can help you with tremendously. Secondly, you should create a poker games schedule so you can implement your knowledge in a structured way and get used to playing under pressure.
However, if you are developing your skills in an online poker environment, you should also consider using a Poker HUD (Heads Up Display). The best poker HUD, such as PokerTracker 4, is a comprehensive and user-friendly software that collects live data on your opponents and displays it on the screen, right below their names. If you use this tool as an additional source of information, it can give you a huge advantage over your rivals.
Poker HUD supports the decision-making process
A Poker HUD is not playing for you. A hud poker tool emphasizes key statistic displays and data visualization, making it easier to identify different player types and tendencies. Without studying basic and advanced poker tactics, a Heads Up Display would only be a collection of meaningless numbers. But if you study, you will know exactly how to adjust your poker strategies to the situation against any opponent and exploit their weaknesses. HUDs are especially helpful when you are torn between more passive and more aggressive options.
The numbers can tell you if your opponent is too loose but also can give you info about your own performance. HUD shows your level of aggression, which is crucial for your poker progress. Read more about this topic in our article “What keeps you stuck at low stakes in poker?”.
What does a Poker HUD tell you?
The most important statistics are those related to preflop action. That’s because there is always more action before the flop, which means there is more data to collect and more money to win. A Poker HUD can quickly give you a general concept of every opponent you face at the online poker table by providing real-time statistics on their behaviors. It can also help you make postflop decisions, such as whether you should bluff or make a hero call in particular situations. This tool is almost like personalized poker coaching, showing you the things you need to pay attention to.
The most relevant preflop HUD stats
VPIP (Voluntary Put Money Into Pot) is the most important and fundamental statistic you should have. It tells you what percentage of hands a player has been involved in. A 15-20% VPIP in full ring tournaments is average. If someone has a VPIP of 35% or more, you can instantly assume they are very loose.
PFR (Preflop Raise percentage) shows how many hands your opponent raised before the flop. By comparing this data to VPIP, you can easily identify recreational players. You can make a lot of money off unbalanced and loose players. That’s why you should be happy when you see an opponent’s VPIP/PFR at, for example, a 48/4 level. This number means that your opponent is a professional limper who loves to see flops and is very easy to exploit by isolating him.
What data helps you postflop?
Do you like bluffing? Everybody does! But we wouldn’t recommend bluffing much against a person with a high WTSD%. This statistic tells you the percentage of hands your opponent went to a showdown with. The higher % is, the bigger risk your opponent takes in terms of calling.
There are other important preflop stats, including 3bet% and Fold to 3bet%, which refer to the percentage of hands your opponent reraised preflop or folded when facing a 3Bet. If an opponent has 3bet% lower than 5%, usually it means it’s a nit and you should over fold your range, no shame having fold-to-3bet stat around 80-90% in this case.
With fold-to-3bet% – in general, GTO favours polarized range strategy (3bet best hands, call middle hands, 3bet the weakest hands). It works well against other GTO and semi-GTO players. But you should never use this strategy against players who rarely folds in this situation. Against people with fold-to-3bet lower than 40%, you should always play linear 3bet range (3bet more hands for value and no bluffs/semi-bluffs).
You should also look at postflop data like Cbet% (percentage of continuation bets after the flop) and Fold to Cbet%, which indicates how often a player folds to a continuation bet. If the Fold to Cbet% is below 30%, you are likely facing a real calling station, but if it is higher than 50%, you can start exploiting them by betting more often on the flop.
What HUD software should I choose?
The market is filled with a variety of HUD (Heads-Up Display) software options, with two longstanding giants, PokerTracker 4 and Holdem Manager 3, remaining the most popular choices among players. When discussing the best poker HUD software, PokerTracker and Hand2Note often come up due to their robust features, compatibility, and the advantages they offer to both casual and professional players. These tools have been supporting poker enthusiasts for over 15 years. Other notable mentions include DriveHUD, Hand2Note, and PokerCopilot, all of which offer strong features and capabilities.
So, which HUD is the best? The honest, albeit somewhat boring, answer is that it depends. The ideal HUD for you will vary based on several factors: the specific games you play, the platforms you use, and the type of computer system you have. It’s important to note that not all HUDs are compatible with both Windows and macOS. Therefore, we recommend conducting your own research to find the HUD that best suits your needs.
No HUD game trend
In the early days of online poker, the use of complex poker HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) was widespread across all platforms. These tools provided professional players with a significant edge over casual players, as they could analyze vast amounts of data, including hand histories and player tendencies. This led to an environment where professionals could easily outmaneuver recreational players, who often found themselves at a disadvantage without even realizing it.
However, the imbalance created by HUDs soon became apparent. Recreational players, often discouraged by quick losses and the lack of enjoyment, began leaving the game earlier than expected. This posed a threat to the overall health of the poker ecosystem, as the longevity and engagement of these casual players were crucial for sustaining consistent traffic and a vibrant community.
To address this issue, poker sites began implementing changes aimed at leveling the playing field. One of the first major steps was the introduction of anonymous tables in cash games. By removing player identities, the focus shifted towards observation and adaptability, making it harder for professionals to rely solely on data and forcing them to rely more on their instincts and real-time reads.
In the tournament scene, the Bounty Hunter format gained popularity as a way to distribute winnings more broadly across the player pool. While the payouts were smaller, the structure allowed recreational players to experience victories more frequently, keeping them engaged and motivated to continue playing.
This shift in approach mirrors a broader trend seen in other areas of gaming, such as slot machines. Over time, slots transitioned from offering rare, large jackpots to providing more frequent, smaller wins. This change increased player satisfaction, and, ultimately, the casinos benefited as well.
GGPoker, currently the leader in the online poker market, took these ideas further by outright banning third-party HUDs. Instead, they introduced their own limited-functionality HUD, designed to promote fairness and protect recreational players. This move proved successful, creating a healthier and more balanced ecosystem. Additionally, GGPoker revamped their rakeback system, prioritizing benefits for recreational players over professionals, whose winnings previously relied heavily on these rebates.
As we approach the end of 2024, the direction of online poker remains uncertain. While the landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: if your software allows the use of a HUD, leveraging it could still offer a competitive edge. However, the days of unchecked HUD dominance are fading, and the future will likely continue to focus on balance and sustainability in the game.
