What % of Players Use a Poker Software?

Just an opinion question.

Playing in a +1500, $26 buy in MTT the other night I was wondering just how many of these opponents use a Poker Software?

I enjoy these MTT's but do better at the SnG's.

Is it crazy that I've not already invested in a software?

Thanks

Well asking here wont get you a representative sample.

If you play cash game then it is very helpful and you should for sure do it. MTT & SNG they probably arent as needed, but considering you play 26 MTT, if you use proper bankroll management then it will barely touch your BR and you should probably invest in one or at least use a trial version.

before i had one it didn't seem like it was necessary, now that i have HEM it seems insaaaane not to have one, always helps to know who the fish/sharks are for sure.

in terms of all online poker players <5% for sure.

in terms of players in your MTT i'd guess maybe ~20%

When it comes to poker software, it also depends on what type you are talking about here.

There are the HUDs(Heads Up Displays) like Poker/Holdem/Tournament Indicators that display current information about your cards and some info about players such as M-Zone and streaks.

Then there are the more important(in my opinion) types of software, which is analysis software, such as PokerTracker or Holdem Manager. These programs take your hand histories and pull all kinds of information out of them about not only the way that you are playing certain hands, but also your opponents. They also have HUDs that you can use to visualize it on screen during the game. These programs are much more accurate because they don't just use the information from the table that you are currently at, but from everytime that you have played those opponents. These programs help a lot more if you play a lot.

I would say that most of the better players use some form of Poker Analysis tool, just because they can find their weaknesses and strengths of themselves and their opponents, but not all of them do. If you are playing a lower limit game, I wouldn't expect that many of them to be using anything.

what do you mean by this? how is it that different playing with or without the software? i've been wondering this for a while. what specifically is helpful about this?

For starters... how often (%) opponent folds to c-bet (a small example... stats. and uses for them are almost endless... there is LOTS of useful info.). For info. about them you could look up Poker Tracker &/or HEM posts on here and there will be posts in there that breakdown what the different stats. (numbers displayed on HUD) represent, (ie. VP$IP, voluntarily puts $'s into Pot... gives you an indication of how loose or tight your opponent is preflop).

These things are very useful when multi-tabling cash tables but also useful in other applications as well.

I refuse to use any software to let me know about other opponents .I want to beat them straight up.If I'm a good poker player I won't need the software to win.Think about it if you play live you don't have a software on them do you.I have no problem with people that use them.I just won't.

when im playing live im not playing on 12tables...

^^^^^^^ This!

---------------------------------------------------
Trying to compare "live" play to "online" is just pointless for so many reasons

-The other poster who mentioned being able to play on multiple tables makes a great point!

-You can play any time of the day from the privacy of your own home in your underwear

-You can instantly look up stats on people using websites like OPR

-Your playing easily "DOUBLE" the amount of hands per hour that you could in a live game

- You can be selective to an extent about who you want to play against...GL going to a brick'n'mortar casino and requesting a specific table..at least at my local one they "tell" you where to go...it makes colluding a bit harder

I use poker software to help my game, and its absolutely essential I think when you consider that many of your opponents are using the exact same software. If you compare a poker match to a "battle"...wouldn't you want to be as well equipped as possible before taking on the enemy? sure you would...and since many software programs are permitted by the poker sites themselves...you'd be foolish not to put yourself on an even playing field as many other players. The ideal thats its not "noble" or something to use these programs is idiotic...

I agree with the gist of your post but the bolded part....


Only double? You are probably going to play 2 to 3 times the hand volume online vs live ON ONLY ONE ONLINE TABLE.

If you are 12 tabling... that means you are doing more like 24 to 36 times as many hands per hour.

I used to use them but it really seemed like it was swaying a little too much of my play. Ive found theres a huge difference in the amount that i make without the software.
It would get to the point that if the software was telling me something, a lot of the time i would skip going with my gut on how i think the guy is playing and try to play by the numbers. This wasnt working out for me. I was using holdem indicator and tournament indicator.

I know a lot of my friends that use poker softwhere, i even got one friend that built a bot program to play for him. These programs are a effective tool and has added to the success of many, but me personally refuse to use any. To me software is like steroids in Baseball, no enhancers for me i like to be all natural in my game.

I belive software is helpful in multi table ring games. Micro MTT & sng's I don't feel it.s that helpful. For me and what I play I don't like using it. I did use a site to check stats on players, Stars will not allow you to have it open when playing.
DuaneK

In low limit cash game,poker software do help you.you can know whether your opponent is passive,aggressive.and it do help you make decision.that is also named fishing.but in high limit game,you are confronting high level opponent.and they arent foreseeable.they are changefully.so there is no use for poker software.
in tournament,i think,there are too many oppoent,poker software cant get enough data to give you useful information.

Yeah. holdem manager is pretty useful for finding the holes in your own game. I used to use it for the HUD, but found it more distracting then helpful. I only turn it on when I'm deep in a tourney.

But, yeah, the number of poker players using the software is definitely growing.

This is an interesting thread. I think to be a serious player, it is almost mandatory that you have a tracker, an odds calculator, and a hud, although I agree they are distracting. Not using every advantage is giving up an edge. Being able to datamine for table selection is imperative. Kinda like steroids in sports. If your going to compete... Just my idea.

It would be instering if the poker sites marked al the players using poker soaftware. For use who don't use ps we could change gears and se if that helped.
DuaneK

Thats a very interesting Question I use Texas Calculatem, Tournament Shark and also Poker Tracker 3. They are all helpful in there own ways.

Donkey Smash

What software do you recommend?

the one I installed is not easy to operate while I am playing, as I have to enter what My hand is and what bet are the other players doing, etc. It is impossible to pay attention to the game and at the same time , introduce all these details on the software.

I heard abour a sotware called predictpoker. It seems to run automatically when you enter in a room and it calculates the Podd odds, etc.

What do you recommend?

I am interested in getting some poker software or other.

One of the posts concerned me, because it said that it went against the players gut and ended up being wrong.

I suspect that poker would go with the odds more often than not though, so it would give you an edge in the long run.

To get back to the OP question, I agree with DM above, somewhere around 20% of HE players are using. Sounds like a reasonable ballpark guess.
Playing in forum or OFC events, the number would go much higher. Essentially, if you are not using something like PT3 or HEM, you are outgunned by at least 20% or one in five players you are facing.

I dont play with any poker softwares...but sounds interesting. Anyone have any recommendations on which ones to check out? Id like to take a look into this. Thanks.

There are two main contestants - Poker Tracker 3 and Hold'Em Manager. Both offer free trials.

PokerTracker 3- You need to pay for it but it has a 60day trial. Tracking and Hud Program.

HoldemManager-Need to buy it aswell but has a 15day free trial. Tracking and Hud prgram

RealTime Hud- Free(voluntery donation) Hud.

PokerStove- Free equity calculator.

PokerRazor- Free(while in beta stage) equity calculator and rang explorer.

These 5 programs are all awsome and well worth geting imo.

i've been looking into pokertracker, and it looks pretty good, the only problem is i have a mac. and so far, they don't have it available for mac. does anyone know of any programs like these that are available for mac? i know PT3 is working on a mac compatible version, but it won't be out for a little while still.

For Mac have a look at Poker Copilot.

It's not PT but has improved loads in the 8 or so months it's been going. 30 day trial and free upgrade to v2 at the moment.

I don't use programs to see other's stats at table, but do enjoy using programs to see past hand historys, use a program that I can look back and see MY stats and hands that are holding up, in what position and betting patterns of mine and where I am losing the most, with tournament stats as well, just an overall overlook of games and session, pair holdings ect.ect.ect. But im sure they are good programs to use, not saying anything their, just my prefference not to use anything at table. Maby someday I'll try one.

Anything compatible with Bodog?

PokerTracker works their, but you have got to use a Bodog HandGrabber
Theres a thread I know of here for this purpose> Bodog + Poker Tracker?
I believe
poker-edge
Tournament Indicator
Poker Crusher
and the free program
Gametime, may work their.

Edge and Crusher might work there but using thouse programs might also get your acount banned and money seized

Verry ture, thats why I don't count on a program while playing at the table. Hate to become more handicapped than what I am already am, also don't like to think I could wake up someday and not be alowed to play cause of my doings.

Sorry to go off topic, but I really love that bright blue frizzy hairstyle that you and your g/f are sharing in the avatar photo!