Is it really possible for others to know all about me?

I've been reading up on a little basic strategy as I attempt to put a hole in my beginner bankroll, and as part of my reading, I keep seeing lots of software claiming they can track other players and so on - with the goal of making it possible for good players to target me, the little guy.

Question: Is this software for real, and what limits are in place to protect myself from others being able to figure all about me.

Alternative Question: If I can't beat it, what's the best software for me to use to get a similiar advantage?

(whoot my first post on your site which has served me very well so far)

Be a good player so a bag of money shows up next to your name making people avoid you.

I don't have it, but Pokertracker.

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Originally Posted by Edmond3cd

I've been reading up on a little basic strategy as I attempt to put a hole in my beginner bankroll, and as part of my reading, I keep seeing lots of software claiming they can track other players and so on - with the goal of making it possible for good players to target me, the little guy.

Question: Is this software for real, and what limits are in place to protect myself from others being able to figure all about me.

Alternative Question: If I can't beat it, what's the best software for me to use to get a similiar advantage?

(whoot my first post on your site which has served me very well so far)

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There are two types of software that fit this description. There are poker database like Poker Office and PokerTracker. These are worth getting both for getting tips on how others are playing (in case you can't remember every hand you've ever played!) and also identifying weaknesses in your own game.

The second type is a common database online where players pool histories so that information is available on a wide range of players.
This second type is banned on many reputable poker sites and is widely considered cheating.

Oh. Cool that you've started posting!

Additionally, Many players use heads up displays to track your stats while you are at the table with them. I am not quite sure how these work. Not to hijack, but can someone explain HUDs better than me and tell him where to get one?

Big brother is watching.

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Originally Posted by crushednuts

Additionally, Many players use heads up displays to track your stats while you are at the table with them. I am not quite sure how these work. Not to hijack, but can someone explain HUDs better than me and tell him where to get one?

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All HUDs do is display a selection of stats from your db by a player on the game window.
PO has a built in hud. PT you can use gametime+ for free and PA Hud (which is better) for a fee. Check out the PT website for more info.

As far as the poker databases, most of what I've seen are sites offering access to mined data for a fee. I think this is wrong but who cares. I'd rather have data on the last 50 hands I played with someone than a random selection.

http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...oker-35109.htm this is what they have on you. And what you are asking about

Welcome!

Bear in mind that only the hands that make it to showdown (or you decide to show) are ever "recorded". Also, at the beginners level ($2/$5/$10NL) people don't use it. Software like that helps the beginner see what hands aren't working for them. It's more helpful to spot/fix your own leaks than try and get a bead on the competition.

At higher limits, I'd expect people to have a great deal of info on you.

There exist some sites that will give you PokerTracker/Office for free if you sign up through them at Party/Paradise/Noble et al.

Good Luck

I just checked out pokeroffice.. looks nice, with a HUD attached to it and all! I'm contemplating maybe getting that one instead of PT because I saw that some sites I was thinking of going to will give it to you for free, on top of a bonus.

Thanks for the responses.

It seems to me, that what is being said is there is software the displays and summarises my own play and hand histories (along with what others are doing) and sites where people pool such information and make it available.

That helps clean up a few things for me.
Now I just have to ponder if getting such software would be helpful to improve my own game.

I'm using Poker Office and I like it a lot (once I got the database switched to MySQL that is*). It has a built in HUD that shows you statistics on your opponents. I have set it to show VP$IP/PFR/aggression/nr of hands - that last one to see how accurate the reads are. Doesn't beat out actual "following the action" reads, but it helps to some degree, and it could actually make me capable of playing more tables somewhere in the future.

It collects data on the people you play with at your table (obviously), but you can also just open a bunch of windows and go do something else, it will then start keeping stats on everyone that plays at those tables. If one of them is at your table later then you already have some idea of how they play. Haven't done that yet but sounds like a plan.

Oh and for those interested, it also shows you your opponents actions, all the pot odds, general odds on every sort of improvement your hand could get on later streets, etc. I turned this off but it woulda been great when I was still learning about the odds; Probably nice if you are unsure about these things or hate the math or something.


* Do NOT use the standard java database thing. It'll lag the crap out of your computer, even if your database is tiny. Getting MySQL installed was a bitch though, took me 2 hours. Problem turned out to be that I already had a MySQL version somewhere, so when I installed the one PO needed, the windows service was already there and it wouldn't run. Bla bla, just saying if anyone has a problem with this, pm me.

can you get any of these programs for free or do they all cost money?
I am aware the some sites give these as bonus for playing x number of hands on their site.

In theory you have to pay for them..

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Originally Posted by jackvance

In theory you have to pay for them..

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Lets not promote piracy, especially of a program that makes you money.

The easiest way to get these programs is to simply buy then, the most cost effective is to clear a bonus to get them. If you can spare the cash from your BR, jsut buy them. If the money in there is a little tight or youd rather not pay, just do a bonus for it. Both ways support the developer who is helping you out.