Online Poker Tools | Categories
Here is a quick explanation of the different poker tool category types.
Online databases
This way of tracking other players has become very popular over the last couple of years. Typically a site will track the playing style and results of many/all poker players from a number of different online poker sites. You can then buy access to their database and gain valuable info on your opponents – even when you have never played against them before.
IMPORTANT – many online poker rooms do NOT allow players to use this kind of tool, since they consider it a form of cheating. Check your preferred online poker room for their specific rules - you don't want to risc getting banned from a poker site for using unacceptable software.
Calculators
There are really two types of software in this category. Programs like Online Holdem Inspector that “reads” your hand and the board while you play in order to calculate odds of you winning the hand, improving your hand and other statistics. And more analytical programs like SnG Power Tools that are
mainly used for analyzing situations away from the table.
IMPORTANT – some online poker rooms consider certain programs as “cheating” and do not allow their use. Check your poker room for their
specific rules.
Trackers (or Poker Offices)
This type of software is probably the single most important tool at your disposal and you should always use it. It is used for tracking and recording all your played hands in both cash and tournament play which over time gives you an extremely valuable opportunety to analyze your own and your opponents playing
styles. You can then correct leaks and make profitable improvements based on your playing history. These programs also gives you the ability to play back your previous hands and (if you let the program record all your played hands) lets you keep easy and precise track of your results and bankroll.
HUD’s
A type of software that function as a heads up display. Overlaying the poker table with different types of statistical info. This will mostly be info from Calculators, Online databases or Trackers giving you statistics on your opponents and/or your odds of improving your hand. This type of software can be
extremely valuable once you learn how to interprete this info.
Poker Bots
A piece of software that automatically plays poker for you. Typically the software reads a profile created by you (as in Online Holdem Inspector or simular programs) that tells it how to act at the table in specific situations. The Bot then performs all actions at the poker for you without you needing to be by your PC.
Bots are mostly used on low limit tables by people trying to play many hands in order to clear bonuses.
IMPORTANT – most online poker rooms do NOT allow players to use bots at their poker sites
Other
Everything (not much for now) that doesn’t fit in to the other categories.
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