Poker Tracking Software

Poker tracking software uses your hand histories to chart your poker game and using detailed statistics provides you with a unique insight into your playing preferences. This can help you identify leaks in your play and make you a more rounded player after you make the necessary improvements. If you are not currently using the tracking software then you are missing out on a vital information source for your online poker play. Let us look at the benefits of using this software to improve your results.

For the purposes of our discussion we will focus on one particular product on offer, Poker Tracker. You can import your hand histories into the programme and immediately receive detailed analysis of your play through the huge amount of stats on offer. The programme also keeps stats on your opponents and provides a quick analysis of their play as a display on your poker table. This is particularly helpful if you play more than one table online as you get a quick idea on the style and play of your opponent, that you cannot track on your own as there is too much happening to notice every play on every table.

To get the most out of the software you need to play large volume. This should not be interpreted as a recommendation to increase playing, but as with most research the more you do of something the more accurate any results will be. So if you already play large volume this software is ideal for you. Large volume players benefit the most from using this software, as any improvement is compounded across many hands in a short space of time to make a real difference in profits. It is useful for every player but the longer the software is used the more reliable the results become.

The tracking software also keeps a record of how many times you have played a certain hand and how many times you have won with them. You will be able to use this information to identify if you are playing certain types of hands incorrectly. For example, you may win with AA or KK but have a bad record with QQ. You can search through hands you have played and perhaps with the help of a coach identify that you are overvaluing QQ and you should be folded more often with it when faced with overcards. Stats like how often you folded the turn, what your showdown win percentage is etc all give you clues to potential mistakes you are making. Even if you are doing everything right, it is reassuring to have the numbers and statistics to back up your convictions.

Some of the statistics you get on your game include VP$P which means “Voluntarily put money into the pot” and the number 17.51 would be your percentage of doing this. If this number is particularly high you are playing too many hands. If it is too low you are perhaps a little tight pre flop. The software also uses this statistic to identify weak opponents and on your heads up display it tells you their VP$P along with how often they make a pre-flop raise and much more. It really is a great tool to use. An example of when this software can earn you money is where you have a mid strength hand pre-flop and one player raises. You notice that his VP$P statistic is 26 and his pre flop raise is 22. This suggests he does not always have a strong hand, so you call and take the pot on the flop when he checks to you. The software also logs how often the opponent re-raises, makes a continuation bet etc. It gives you a rough idea on their style, which for most players is fairly consistent. Once you know a players style, you can exploit it.

The hand replay function is also very useful to you. You should be analysing sessions and hands regularly. If you use a poker coach they will be able to analyse your numbers and give you great advice without ever seeing a live hand. The statistics really do help that much. There are loads more things you can do with the tracking software, which is available for around $100. At any playing levels this is a decent investment.

Tracking your play instantly makes you more professional. You are keeping the most detailed records possible of your play and using the information you discover you can make instant and profitable changes to your strategy. Many of the other online players are using this to keep tabs on you, so you need access to the same information also to ensure you are minimising mistakes and not giving opponents the chance to beat you.

By Malcolm Clarke

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