Mar 16 2011

The 5 Best Poker Software Programs to Help Your Game

written by: Sara under Poker Comments: Comments Off

Admit it, we could all use a little help, right? If you’re just starting out playing in online poker, you could probably use some tricks to handle the confusion or learning curve anyone experiences when starting something new. If you’re a regular grinder, maybe you want to analyze your play so you can learn how to increase your bankroll and level up.

Yeah, I know, sounds like a lot of work, but if those things don’t motivate you how about this one: your opponents are using data against you. Poker is already a competitive market, and every day people are analyzing and modifying their game to give them the best edge, do you want to be the one at the table without that information?

It’s not as much work as it sounds, and the truth is that most of these poker software programs are easy to use and give you fast access to telling statistics and odds. Anyone not using them could be missing out on key information that could be the difference of winning or losing, especially in tournament play. Practicing (which you may already be doing for the upcoming World Series of Poker) while using these programs may completely change your game by bringing to light some details of your playing style you may not have been aware of. If you are, in fact, gearing up for the 2011 WSOP, this may be the best time to check it all out.

Hand HQ

*Best Supplemental Program*

  • Website: www.handhq.com
  • Price: Starts at around $10 and increases as more hand histories are purchased.
  • Free Trial: No
  • Type: Hand History Database
  • Score: A (when used in conjunction with a tracker program)

Data mined hand histories that can be used and uploaded into analysis programs like Poker Tracker or Hold’ Em Manager. This is not software you have to download, you purchase a certain amount of hand histories and for a small price receive them in a zip file. Great information for a low price, but didn’t get an A+ because it’s only most useful when used with another program.

Poker Crusher

*Best Opponent Profiler*

  • Website: www.pokercrusher.com
  • Price: Varies. Starts at $5-$30 a month depending on the plan you buy.
  • Free Trial: No.
  • Type: Poker Tracker, Analytics, HUD, Profiling
  • Score: B+

This is great analysis software to give you stats on how your opponents play. The Poker Crusher stats database is comprehensive and using this software will show you a ton of stats on Pre-Flop, Flop, Turn, River and Showdown play, breaking up player statistics so you can see what your opponent has done in each situation in the past. This in depth analysis may not be as helpful, but confusing for new players as the HUD lays out these stats in a way that will require knowledge of the online poker landscape to understand. However, if you’re seeking a comprehensive profile of the people you play, this program is a great option.

Hold’Em Manager

*Most User Friendly*

  • Website: www.holdemmanager.com
  • Price: $89.99 for the Pro Version (Most common)
  • Free Trial: Yes, a 15 day trial is available.
  • Type: Poker Tracker, Analytics, HUD, Profiling
  • Score: A-

The depth of information combined with the general usability of this program is why we rated Hold ‘Em Manager well. Like many other poker analysis tools, the breadth of information covered is wide, but with Hold ‘Em Manager you do not have to be an expert to understand how to review and analyze your playing. This makes this program more compatible with beginners while still be valuable to experts. Another great thing is it’s “Player Summary” area where you can make notes and analyze stats on your opponents. I’m not sure what else you could ask for in a poker analysis tool and HUD.

Poker Tracker 3

*Best Comprehensive Program*
Available for Mac

  • Website: www.pokertracker.com
  • Price: $89.99 for Full Version
  • Free Trial: Yes, 60 day free trial is available.
  • Type: Poker Tracker, Analytics, HUD
  • Score: A

One of the great things about this program is that it’s available on a free 60-day trial AND has a Mac version. The automated installation makes it friendly for beginners who may not want to deal with or know how to handle a manual install, like many pieces of poker software have. It’s also a customizable program so while the default settings and reports will be helpful, you can change the settings so that the HUD and reports can give you the information that you’re looking for. For more advanced users, Poker Tracker 3 also has a customizable statistics engine where you can create your own stats that you can even add to the HUD. The only thing Poker Tracker doesn’t have is an easy poker profiler, but if you can get used to reading the stats it provides, you’ll be able to profile people yourself in no time.

Hold ‘Em Genius

*Best Beginner’s Tool*

This is a great program for what it specializes in, calculating odds. If you’re looking for something a little more statistics heavy like a tracker or tool for analyzing your moves post play, then this may not be for you. However, there are many pluses to perhaps using this tool in addition to a tracking and analytics tool. Firstly, Hold ‘Em Genius is basically a skin for your poker room – giving you all of the details and advice for how to play your hand as flawlessly as possible. For beginners, it’s a great tool because it visually shows you what your odds of winning are, and where on the spectrum the value of your hand is.

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