Using Poker Software
Perfecting your poker face and refining your psychological approach are necessary steps in player evolution. But there's another skill you need to work on: mathematics. You don't need to be a human calculator to thrive, but a general appreciation of stats helps. Poker software makes things much easier.
Offered by a number of providers and fulfilling a range of functions, these products are a fantastic way for you to improve your game. We provide a rundown of the industry's finest software options, plus explain everything you need to know about poker software including:
This page explains everything you need to know about poker software, including:
- Why is poker software important?
- The best additional downloadable software
- How poker software works
- Getting software on mobile, iOS and Android
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Our Best Online Poker Sites for 2024
Holdem Manager 2
In Brief: Known as the leading piece of tracking software on the market, HM2 logs every hand you play and stores it in a database.
On top of this, HM2 also contains a HUD (Heads Up Display) which allows you to view and track every move your opponent's make. For example, HM2's HUD allows you to see how often someone is raising pre-flop, 3-betting, folding on the river or raising out-of-position.
Basically, any move that's possible at the poker table, HM2 allows you to monitor it and, thus, exploit it in order to make a profit.
Beyond this in-game help, HM2 allows you to analyse every session, every hand and every move you'd made online. Through a series of calculations, filters and graphs, you can then assess where you're making money and where you're losing it. Essentially, for $59.99, HM2 allows you to improve every aspect of your game through a combination of in-game and post-game analysis.
HM2 is available in two versions: Small Stakes ($59.99) and Pro ($99) and can be downloaded via www.holdemmanager.com. Note: you can also enjoy a free trial of HM2.
Popular Reviews
- Plenty of soft competition
- Available across multiple device platforms
- Wide range of accepted deposit options
- Excellent customer services provided
- Hand history feature available
- COULD EXPAND ON THE GAMES RANGE
- GAMES SEARCH COULD BE EASIER
- Brilliant welcome package
- Wide selection of deposit method options
- Customer service is available 24/7/365
- Clean and simple user interface
- Playable on mobile devices
- SOFTWARE COULD BE UPDATED
- CLEARER BONUS DETAILS PREFERABLE
- SOME MORE GAME VARIANTS NEEDED
Table Ninja 2
In Brief: Table Ninja 2 is a piece of poker software that helps multi-tablers make a string of moves with just a few clicks of their mouse.
Designed as an add-on to HM2, Table Ninja 2 is charged on a monthly subscription basis and prices range from .99 (for the lite version) up to .99 for the pro version. Users can also pay a one-off fee of for an annual subscription and for that money they have the ability to tailor their online environment in order to make playing multiple tables more efficient.
Through a series of automatic commands - such as open table, close table, auto buy-in - and hot keys (fold, raise X amount and call), users of Table Ninja 2 can literally control 10+ tables with a single click of their mouse. Essentially, this poker app is the perfect way for players to add more tables to their online routine and, in turn, make more money per hour.
Getting started with Real Money Online Poker
Playing real money poker online is as simple as making a first deposit or winning a few bucks in an internet freeroll.
Sigh up for one of our recommended websites using a top bonus code, pick a deposit method, and head to the Cashier tab. In seconds you’ll be able to load your account with USD, GBP or Euros.
The only decision you’ll have to make then is what tables to play at.
Advantages of Real Cash Poker
Playing real money poker online is as simple as making a first deposit or winning a few bucks in an internet freeroll.
Sigh up for one of our recommended websites using a top bonus code, pick a deposit method, and head to the Cashier tab. In seconds you’ll be able to load your account with USD, GBP or Euros.
The only decision you’ll have to make then is what tables to play at.
PokerStove
In Brief: Available as both a desktop and mobile app, PokerStove is a free equity calculator that allows you to see how hands stack up against each other in various situations.
For example, if you were holding A-10 in an Internet cash game, and were facing an all-in from a tight player, you would be able to plug-in a projected range for this player and see how much equity your hand has against their range. Using this information you can then look at your pot odds and decide whether it's profitable to call or not.
Having the ability to glean this sort of information both at the table and away from it is invaluable for aspiring players and the reason why this poker app is a must have. For the princely sum of $0 you can improve your thought process and get the same mathematical appreciation of poker as professional players have.
HeadsUp Poker Trainer for iOS
In Brief: If you're a fan of mobile apps, then iTunes has a great one for aspiring heads-up players called, unsurprisingly, HeadsUp.
Because we rarely get to play heads-up poker (unless you solely play HU cash games), most players are deficient in this area and this is the reason why this mobile poker app is so beneficial.
Available for download from the iOS app store for just £/ .49, players can run through a series of heads-up scenarios and answer questions on whether it's best to call, push or fold. In essence this poker app is a way for players to practice their HU skills and learn the correct moves without spending their own money to play multiple tournaments.
Insta Poker Coach
In Brief: Backed by the likes of Antonio Esfandiari and Jonathan Little, this mobile app is one of a growing number of portable poker software products on the market.
Available on both iOS and Android platforms, this mobile poker app is free to download but contains a number of in-game add-ons such as "how to beat cash games" and "short stack strategies".
Overall this app is a poker trainer that contains a number of strategy considerations all broken down into bite sized sections. Although this app is mainly aimed at novice and intermediate players, there are enough golden nuggets of information on offer to make it worthwhile for all players.
