In terms of popularity, online poker has exploded in recent years and as a result, poker tracking software packages written to aid players to improve their game are available in bucket loads. And right next to said buckets, are bucketfuls of debates and arguments about the ethics and legality of such software.
First of all, what is tracking software? It is basically an add-on that displays a separate HUD loaded full of useful information and statistics to help you out to win the big pots.
So where’s the harm in that?
Well, this type of software is obviously very useful, but it also carries a number of unwanted side effects that may do more harm than good in the long run. Let’s take a look at some of the positive and negatives of this type of software.
Pros
Polish your progress
This to me is the biggest, and perhaps the only, true advantage that you can get out of this type of software. It basically keeps a record of all the hands you have played and the calculated odds at each instant. This way you can review your last session and determine places where you should have folded or bet aggressively when otherwise you made a mistake. This way you can correct your own play style and be able to avoid some of the most obvious traps in future
Multiple tables
Another great advantage is the ability to track all the ongoing stats on multiple tables. Most pro online players will tell you that they usually play a minimum of four tables at the same time, both to decrease boredom in a six-hour stint and to increase their odds to make a profit, or ‘ROI’. Although most poker players are able to run and keep track of the odds and probabilities in their head during a game, it would probably strain even the mind of Rainman to keep track of four games going at once.
Keep track of players
Tracking software actively updates a dedicated database on the players that you are playing against. After a number of hands, the software will be effectively able to generate certain statistics to determine the playing value of an opponent, like for example, the percentage of hands that he is playing. This soon becomes important as an indicator that the player is playing loosely or conservatively. Although this is a task that you can easily do on your own, the software keeps a record of that player, so if you visit a poker site regularly and end up against the same player, the software will recognize them and give you the already calculated percentages
Calculates your odds for you
Poker is all about making your hands and to conserve your losses by correctly identifying winning or doomed hands. This is usually done through a calculated probability depending on your hole cards and the board, with the odds decreasing/increasing depending on each new card. Although this can be done in your head, the software does it for you and presents you with the probability on the fly. This will allow that make your decisions quicker and avoid longer “thinking” times where you could potentially give your hand away to an astute player
Cons
It makes you lazy
This arguably can be attributed to ANY computerized help. You might make this point of blaming calculators because you can no longer calculate your waitresses’ tips and keep getting strange bubbles in the drinks that you order. True. However the difference is that they won’t kick you out of the premises if you take a calculator to a restaurant. Not so for a casino. It takes very little time for you to adopt poker software as a crutch, and when deprived of it, it will be very hard pressed to walk on your own feet.
Getting caught out
Although most poker sites (many are reviewed at pokersites.co.nz) have no problem letting you use poker-tracking software, this is not what I’m talking about. When you use a piece of software to help you out in your game by relying too much on its calculated odds, you will soon find yourself following a set robotic pattern as well. Intelligent and proficient players might catch you in that pattern and thus will end up avoiding hands where you are playing or, if it’s a cash game, leave the table entirely. If it’s an astute opponent, he might catch you playing only premium hands, which would enable him to craft a trap for you should you bet on the flop and he gets the nuts
No transition to live play
Having an aid constantly around to help guide you will stop you from learning important skills that come through trial and error. Skills like patience and reading ability will soon become passive as there is someone else to take care of them for you. When you switch to a real table with real players, you won’t simply be the fish for the sharks to munch one, you will be a fish that has had its tail and fins clipped
Sucks all the fun of it
Although most players play simply as a get rich quick scheme, poker has exploded in popularity mostly due to the fun that one gets from playing the game. This isn’t the same when you have a robot that is telling you basically what to do. Imagine you are playing a regular video game, but with the tutorial and help menu constantly switched on. You will in turn become robotic, both in your playing patterns as well as the level of enjoyment that you get. If you simply click when you are told to click, you become no better that a cubicle drone complete with manic depressive thoughts that will make you smash your head on the delete key in hopes of also erasing the experience from your own memory along with the software.
BanTheRiver
I thought the article was too simplistic, especially during the “Cons” section. Also, there were so many spelling and grammatical errors that I found it distracting and a hindrance to my reading experience. A proof-reader should have been consulted before posting the article.