Online poker sites have made poker more accessible and increased the amount of money available for players to win. However, they’ve also made poker more competitive. These days, it’s not just enough to have skills in order to win. Most players make use of software and other tools to help them make the right decisions and find success.
If you’re not using poker tools while playing online, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. With the level of competition increasing each year, it makes sense to make use of these tools as much as you can. There are loads of different types of poker software tools, each with its own purpose and advantages. Here are some of the best used by online poker professionals in 2022.
Database Software
Poker database software allows you to track your performance and improve your play over time. Just as athletes review their performance during training and matches by looking at their recorded stats, you can check the same with poker databases. Many online poker sites now include database tools for players to use, and there are others available for you to download and try out too.
With a database, not only will you be able to track your own hands, but you can also look at your opponent’s statistics. This will give you an insight into their behavior and help you gain an advantage over them. Analyzing statistics helps you improve your own strategy and gain an edge over the competition. Some of the most popular database tools include Poker Tracker 4, Holdem Manager, and Hand2Note.
Poker Solvers
Solvers are a more complex tool that can provide better insights into which decision you should make. Rather than showing you information that’s already happened, a solver can effectively solve poker problems for you. When you input the right data, it will show you the best course of action based on game theory optimal strategy. These tools were first developed in 2015 and have been getting better each year.
While solvers can be good on paper, they are sometimes difficult to use, especially in a game where you only have a limited amount of time. You need to be able to enter all of the required data as quickly as possible, and even then, following the solution can be challenging. Some of the top solver software tools include PioSolver, Monker Solver, and GTO+.
The other issue with using poker solvers is that they’re often banned by poker sites. These tools are normally considered cheating, as they essentially give you the answers to help beat your opponents. While you still need to be a skilled player to use poker databases, poker solvers could theoretically be used by anyone. This makes them something of a moral gray area, and using one could get your online poker account banned.
Equity Calculators
In poker, equity tells you how much of the pot is rightfully yours based on probability and the value of the pot itself. For example, if the pot is worth $100 and your hand has a 50% chance of winning, your pot equity would be $50. If you played that hand one hundred times, you could expect to win an average of $50 from it. Working out equity is important when it comes to making decisions in poker.
Although the above example was easy to work out, it’s rarely that simple. As a result, an equity calculator can be very useful, especially if you’re still a new player. Using a calculator to help you figure out your equity will help you to make profitable decisions and come out on top more often.
Common equity calculators used by online poker professionals include PokerStove, Flopzilla, and Equilab. Some of these tools are free, while others will charge you to download them. The free options tend to have fewer options and features, so paying for a tool can be helpful.
