While I prefer to believe all these statistic calculators are absolute nonsense, and prefer traditional poker strategy......are these things at all for real?

I see testimonies and arguments everywhere with people swearing by them or at them. Especially concerning how many hands it takes to reach a reliable calculation.

IMO it's bs they are even allowed. But, for those who can't count their outs in 15 seconds, or read a table after 30 minutes to determine the strong players from the fish....I gotta wonder, am I losing to these techno coach programs telling my opponent to call? or fold?

I mean I use sharkscope, and prolabs to look up players, make notes, even study specific peoples consistency, etc...

But do these programs give an unfair advantage? or in the long run do they help us all out? (*us being those without them)

Again, I choose not to use any "artificial intelligence" at the tables....but wonder; should I be?

Truthfully, you are costing yourself money by not using a HUD. using your hud and using detailed notes will increase your winrate substantially. I recommend HEM (Holdem Manager)

I'll look into it...thanks. In a personal confession, i've been paying $9.99 to prolabs for thier bundle pkg...but the damn download didnt work, and I've yet to contact them or dispute the $30 i've paid them so far. So i've still yet to explore further.

I know my outs, position, pot odds to a degree, but my game does need some help.

Anybody else?

But you can't use those in live games and I have won a few local ones , so why do you need online? Even watching other tables in your tournments as you play , to me is point less. It only ends up making me miss things at my own table and if you playing live, you can't watch other tables anyway. Maybe I'm missing out, but if someone is really aggressive or always donking , their the ones you remember anyway. Just seems like you'd be spending more time with notes and everything else, and would take away from playing the game its self.Just my thought.

B2B, what sort of notes should i be taking exactly?
i always note down how a certain player has been playing certain hands etc... but what else?

People who use HUDs that count their outs, tell them when to bet/call/fold are laughable, it should be against the rules as the PLAYER is not actually making the decision, just following a computer program.


That said, I use a HUD that give me statistical information about the opponents I play, I couldn't effectivly play 12+ tables without it (and tableninja).
But statistics are nothing without the ability to interpret gathered information, and the skill to use that information to exploit opponents tendencies.

Clearly knowing your opponents strengths and weaknesses is a major factor in the decision process and the projected outcome. Having a HUD from what I'm reading above sounds like the perfect tool for the job.

But, how do you determine the accuracy of the information?

Sure it's great if the guy/gal is consistently losing going to showdown or they are known to bluff the flop and fold a mild raise on the turn, but I mean really...what if they're hitting, having a good day, or simply have stepped up their game....wouldn't that information be more harmful than good?

I guess it boils down to preference.

As someone stated above, you really can't take notes, watch other tables, or use a HUD in live play....so why online?

IMO online poker is still poker and requires all the normal skills of live play, but with what I've seen online -vs- live....they are two different animals altogether.

Therefore, I am beginning to adopt this belief; utilize all the information you are privileged to acquire. Sadly, these HUDs do appear to be good at collected information. Which to me is an unfair advantage. But, if they are allowed and not in violation of TOS agreement...then I guess, I might as well give them a try.

At the end of the day, if one is given a choice between a standard cell phone or a smart phone...clearly the smart phone would be able to more. Metaphorically, I guess this is true with "HUD's" to online poker.

I'm obviously not a fan of relying on this technology, but at the end of the day I play poker with passion, and the intentions of winning....so if it gets me to more cashes, final tables, and a larger BR....screw it, I'm forced to explore it!