Best Software aid that wont get you into trouble

I feel like I am back in school with all the question I have!!! So I have been using sharkscope HUB on PP and yes it is allowed and yes I know it is not allowed on PS and FT maybe others. Other then that I have not used any other software aids for poker. I have been looking at maybe trying Tournament Indicator but I keep seeing and reading about so many programs here that I am a bit lost. So what programs are worth the time and which programs should I stay away from. I would prefer to use a program that I could use on most if not any site unlike my sharkscope HUB. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Most ppl here use PT3 (Poker Tracker 3) or HEM (Hold Em Manager), and they are able to be used on any site as far as I know.

I've heard of and used Sharkscope, but I haven't heard of Sharkscope HUB, what does it do, is it a table finder or does it provide stats on your opponents.

Zorba said:

Most ppl here use PT3 (Poker Tracker 3) or HEM (Hold Em Manager), and they are able to be used on any site as far as I know.

I've heard of and used Sharkscope, but I haven't heard of Sharkscope HUB, what does it do, is it a table finder or does it provide stats on your opponents.

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I use it too see stats on all the players at the table. You can adjust what stats you see etc ... You need the full 500 search a day account type on Sharkscope to make use of the HUB. I purchased one of those accounts for a month and as long as it is ok too use on PP I will be using the HUB without fail. If I was at home I would pin a snap shot of what it looks like. Have a look at the sharkscope site.

i use pt 3 and look at the tourney indicator to choose fishy tables. Is that the same as using the hud that is not allowed on tilt? just a question not trying to hijack the thread

I think pt3 or hem is the way to go.

bobsay225 said:

i use pt 3 and look at the tourney indicator to choose fishy tables. Is that the same as using the hud that is not allowed on tilt? just a question not trying to hijack the thread

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I am not really sure if it is banned on Full Tilt or not. I keep looking for that info but not finding anything. I have read there has been some issue with the current version of the HUB running on FT but that is about it. It is 100% fact that you cannot use it on PS that I know for sure.

I use the HUB while playing too look at peoples ROI and what there average profit is and stake per game. It will also identify fish, sharks plus postive players and losing players when it comes to profit. It does not categorise them though like other software aids.

tomh7795 said:

I think pt3 or hem is the way to go.

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Looking at PT3 right now and going to look at HEM after I am done with that. Thanks Tom!!

HEM AND PT3. I like both and have both. maybe holdem inspector? i think it's not allowed on ft and stars though, not sure. If i'm not mistaken any program that is a real-time hand analyzer is not allowed. You can keep track of your opponents with stats tho, kinda contradictive?

I personally own both and prefer HEM. I just like it's interface better.

It depends.
What do you play & what do you need it for?

I reckon its pretty bullshit that they allow even those, why should it be ok to see someones stats and your play revolves around that, thats bs, you don't see it in live play, I refuse to use it and use reads on the table alone, I think its kinda cheating tbh. Like i said you don't see stats of players at live tables why should online be justified to use it? Oh but you you multi table, guess what thats your problem

Eclipsenz said:

I reckon its pretty bullshit that they allow even those, why should it be ok to see someones stats and your play revolves around that, thats bs, you don't see it in live play, I refuse to use it and use reads on the table alone, I think its kinda cheating tbh. Like i said you don't see stats of players at live tables why should online be justified to use it? Oh but you you multi table, guess what thats your problem

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The reason is bs is because they have it and you don't. It would be fair if everyone has it (which they can). Stop moaning and get the software. If you don't get it then stop moaning

Like i said i refuse to, doesn't feel right in my books, just because everyone else is taking shortcuts doesn't mean I should.

Not a case of they using it and why not me at all.

If seeing peoples stats at the table your at justifies the moves you make and such, if you have to rely on that, sorry you loose a few respect points imo. I don't care if most use it just cause most use it doesn't make it right imo.

It probably makes alot more sense now why in some games I get no credibility at all, cause my ROI ain't that great although it is getting better every day, cause people have got that bullshit program running.

sorry nah,

Does a program really make that big of a difference?besides u can get all the info u need about the players in about 3 rounds...So is it really that useful?And did it increase anyone's profit?

it lets you get an idea iof the skill i.e is someones got a good roi at a 5 dollar buy in you gotta think hes gotta be ok so youd treat his bets and stuff with respect wouldnt ya.. especially if it shows how much ITM% he has etc... yeah sure it wouldn't make that much of a difference but, if you saw someone with a negative ROI and if it was really bad youd walk all over him wouldnt ya at times.

You may have a misconception regarding these tools. Those statistics are not the ones that HEM and PT3 provides, unless you play enough with a specific player to actually know what his ROI is. I think Sharkscope does provide this info (haven't used it myself), which is why it's not allowed at major sites (data is obtained from datamining I think).

As Poker Orifice says above, whether these tools are appropriate for you depends on what you play and what you want to accomplish w them.

so what kinda stats does it provide? if someone raises in a certain pos or on the flop it has stats of how often he takes it out? if thats the case its even worse.

Nothing you couldn't do w pencil and paper, as far as the HUD goes - but yes, how frequently someone takes a specific action in what positions. This is based on the hands you've actually played against that player (unless you datamine).

There's more to the tools related to self-analysis, but I take it your objections are to the HUD - and that's fine, if you think it's unfair, more power to you, but you may want to understand how it works before condemning it.

I reckon its pretty bs, look put it this way if a guy raises in lp and it has stats about it like 5% of him winning, pretty much says hes stealing, someone will always shove, its such a disadvantage because they're just going on whats stats are telling, they're a guide helping you i.e if I reraised your gonna get data if im actually bluffing or actually got something solid etc how is that fair when it should be down to skill and your own reads not some silly program as a guide telling you what you should and shouldnt do do if ya get my drift. its cheap, alot of avg players would rely on this heavily.

Actually, whether he wins making these actions or not is not a stat that's easily available - i imagine you could make a custom stat for it, but it's not part of the default set.

Yes, it's a huge advantage, though, to know that BTN open raises 65% of the time it's folded to him. Again, though, it's based on the hands you've played against BTN, not all of his hands (unless you datamine), and again it's something you could do w paper and pencil if you felt inclined.

Note that many players who use a HUD actually misuse it.

Eclipsenz said:

so what kinda stats does it provide? if someone raises in a certain pos or on the flop it has stats of how often he takes it out? if thats the case its even worse.

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No it does not have those kinds of stats. It has total games played, average profit per game, average stake or buy in, total profit, ROI percentage; ability ranking out of 100 and current status. Shark vs Fish or positive money maker or negative money loser. Those are the stats that it shows.

So you are right I do use the program to identify weak players or fish or just people playing at the wrong levels. But I do use my instincts with that information that has not stopped. I still catch positive ROI players making moves with marginal hands and I still give respect to players with fish status given the play and the game situation.

Is it unfair maybe maybe not depends how you look at it I guess. Everyone playing on PP has the option to use it. It cost me like 23 bucks for one month to give it a try. Also I think a fair amount of people are using it on PP so why be one of the few.

But I think Eclipsenz does have a point...I mean you can't use this on a live table. You have approximate numbers in your head about some of the more familiar faces but that's it. Everything you should learn should be learnt there and now! not before...

Ok so in online poker you may examine the table before sitting and you may get some additional data since the game is harder...ok, good for us...However it is really unfair that many people do not use the hud because they still believe in skill at poker whereas many others do and rely on stats they would not have obtained otherwise.

I agree it could be done with paper and pencil, and if it could then this guy would have to get up his ass each and every time one of the players makes any action, than spend a night calculating every single detail to get that edge on other players. And he does deserve it cuz he worked for it! But getting it in 5 minutes without doing anything?now that's completely unfair and cheap!

So I agree with Eclipsenz on this point and I agree that poker has lost a major skill factor.However, if everybody else out there starts using programs to get an edge on us and if we insist on playing fair online poker, then i think we will have to install the software someday...(unless it becomes illegal )

I agree and I disagree I believe online poker is not the same as live poker they are two different animals. They are played different and there are different skill sets used to play one from the other.

I also dont understand the whole honour of live play either that is being mentioned. You are refering to some golden age of the game before large tournaments were being televised at a regular basis. These professionals are watching and studying hours of tape on there opponents seeing all there hold cards for every hand that is being taped. That alone is so much worse then any program ever allowed for internet use. These same professionals are now playing huge amounts of online poker and making a huge amount of money. Do you honestly think for one moment they are not taking advantage of every possible software gain?

These programs are aids they do not play the game for you. You still have to have some skills you still need to have good reads. I have played poker for 4 years without using anything other then my brain. About a week ago I started using Sharkscope and for the most part it has reinforced my decisions and the way I play.

mapjay said:

I agree and I disagree I believe online poker is not the same as live poker they are two different animals. They are played different and there are different skill sets used to play one from the other.

I also dont understand the whole honour of live play either that is being mentioned. You are refering to some golden age of the game before large tournaments were being televised at a regular basis. These professionals are watching and studying hours of tape on there opponents seeing all there hold cards for every hand that is being taped. That alone is so much worse then any program ever allowed for internet use. These same professionals are now playing huge amounts of online poker and making a huge amount of money. Do you honestly think for one moment they are not taking advantage of every possible software gain?

These programs are aids they do not play the game for you. You still have to have some skills you still need to have good reads. I have played poker for 4 years without using anything other then my brain. About a week ago I started using Sharkscope and for the most part it has reinforced my decisions and the way I play.

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Now don't you think that this is wrong? Maybe you could've improved without it but just because everyone else is using it, you had to use it to get better! And watching tapes and taking notes is actually working to get the edge and I'm not against that! At least he's dedicating time to try and figure out a read or some stats on ONE player each time! That takes time and commitment and he does have the right to an edge after doing that...But just being handed on a plate to even the biggest baboon on earth? Now that's just awful!

Honestly Elie I do see where you are coming from and I am wondering the same thing myself. But yes if everyone is doing it so am I! I also believe that as time goes on pretty much everyone is going to be doing it. My opinion anyways if you have a moral objection to that then by all means stick too it.