3 types of poker software that will take your game to the next level
If you aspire to become a poker professional, using specialized software becomes a necessity. These tools will help you analyze your game, improve your strategies, and increase your win rate. Let’s look at the three main types of poker software that should be in the arsenal of any serious player.
1. Equity calculators
Equity calculators are the basis for analyzing poker situations. They help you calculate how strong your hand or range is against another range at various stages of the hand.
Popular equity calculators:
- PokerStove
- Flopzilla
- Equilab
- PokerRanger
PokerStove and Equilab are free programs. If you play on mobile devices, Poker Cruncher (available in the Apple Store and Google Play) is a good choice. The free version is limited to preflop calculations.
Using equity calculators
Using the Equilab program as an example:
You hold A♥ A♣ on a flop of J♠ 8♣ 3♦. Your opponent shoves $100 into a $100 pot. To make a profitable call you need a minimum of 33.3% equity. Using the calculator, you enter your opponent’s expected range (eg sets, OESD, strong top pairs) and find out that your equity is 65.32% – a confident call.
Advanced functionality
Some programs, such as Flopzilla, help you analyze how your opponent’s range interacts with the board texture. For example, you can find out how often a range hits top pair, middle pair, or a draw.
The range to the left hits the flop 39.7% of the time. On the right is a detailed analysis showing exactly how this range falls into various combinations on the flop.
2. Tracking software
Tracking programs are indispensable tools for analyzing and studying your game. They record all hands played, collect statistics and provide real-time data through the HUD (Head-Up Display).
Popular trackers:
- Poker Tracker 4
- Holdem Manager
- DriveHUD
- Hand2Note
- Poker Co-Pilot (for Mac)
All trackers offer trial versions to find the tool that suits you best.
Key Features:
- Collecting hands – the program saves hands for later analysis.
- Analysis of statistics – tracking the trends of your game and the strategies of your opponents.
- HUD – displays opponents’ statistics right at the gaming table.
Tip: Do not overestimate small samples of statistics from the HUD to avoid errors. Start with basic stats such as VPIP, PFR, 3-bet, and then gradually increase the complexity of the settings.
The numbers next to each player’s name in the screenshot shown display various statistical parameters, such as how often a player voluntarily bets or raises preflop. The HUD can be customized to suit your preferences, leaving only those indicators that are really important to you.
3. Solvers
Solvers are powerful tools for studying game theoretical optimality (GTO). They allow you to find balanced strategies using complex simulations.
Popular solvers:
- PioSolver
- Simple Postflop
- Monker Solver
- GTO+
Prices and features vary, so do your research on each tool before purchasing.
How do solvers work?
Solvers analyze millions of scenarios and create balanced strategies. For example, on an A♠ 8♦ 3♠ flop, the solver might suggest a range where some hands bet 70%, others 30%, and still others check.
Nodelock function
With Nodelock, you can capture your opponent’s actions and explore how to better adapt to their strategy. This is useful for developing exploitative approaches.
Conclusion
Modern poker requires constant training and the use of advanced tools. Equity calculators, trackers and solvers will help you analyze the game, find errors and improve your results. If you want to take it to the next level, start using these programs today.
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