Poker tools can be a valuable addition to any poker player’s arsenal. There are a variety of tools available and this article will examine the different types available to assist players. The most commonly used poker tools are hand history databases, computer playing programs, online poker assistants and online poker tools.

Hand History Databases

Most online poker rooms offer players the ability to download the histories of the hands that they have participated in. These hand histories are in a text format and while it is possible for a player to scan and analyse a single hand, it quickly becomes difficult and tiresome for multiple hands. Hand history databases offer the features like win rate calculations, opponent analysis, hand replay, analysis by position and much more. The most popular poker tools of this type include "Poker Tracker" and "Poker Office".

Computer Playing Programs

Programming computers to play a strong game of poker is extremely difficult and it is only recently that they have become about the same strength as an above average player. Compare this to games such as chess and backgammon, where computers have now surpassed all but the strongest humans. These programs allow players to practice and improve their play without having any money at risk. Most also offer advice and the ability to setup and analyse certain situations. The strongest playing poker programs available to purchase are "Poker Academy" and Turbo series of programs produced by Wilson Software.

Online Poker Assistants

With the explosion in popularity of online poker, much software has been developed to assist players while they are playing. There are a couple of what are termed "bots" that make all of the decisions for a player but these are not very strong and if discovered using one of these programs a player can be banned and lose the money in their online poker room account. Other types of software that are also available are programs that overlay tables with statistics summarising hand odds as well as the playing style of other players (for example listing how often a certain player raises, calls or folds) in real time. Examples of these online poker assistants are "Pokerbility" and "PokerAce HUD".

Online Poker Tools

There are a number of web sites that provide free online poker tools to their visitors. Some of the tools available are odds calculators which analyse the probabilities for games such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud poker, and tournament equity calculators. Whilst they may not directly assist a player while they are playing they are great at improving a player's knowledge which then can later be applied at the table. Websites with a variety of useful online poker tools include http://www.twodimes.net/poker  and http://www.poker-tools-online.com

Do Online Poker Tools Really Work?
by PD Laughlin

If you're like most online poker players you want to know the secret to gaining an advantage over your opponents. You then probably understand that gaining this advantage online is much more difficult than in face-to-face live games.

Online games move so fast it’s hard to keep track of an opponent’s play, their decisions and how they play certain hands in particular positions.

Well there's good news. An onslaught of online poker tools have come along to help you maximize your advantage. Before we find out if online poker tools really work let's define what they are.

In short, online poker tools are any legal assistants (yes the online poker tools I am referring too are legal!) or software programs that help you play online poker. And hopefully play online poker better. These software programs assist you while actually playing at a table or they help you with your pre and post play analysis.

Most common online poker tools are calculators and trackers.

A poker calculator is a software program that's run during play that provides valuable information like odds, probabilities, outs, etc.

A poker tracker is software that's run before, during or after play that provides vital trending information that can be used to help analyze your play and improve performance.

Do these online poker tools really work?

Yes they do. With one caveat, since there are so many poker tools out there you need to find the right one/ones for you. I'll be honest. Just like everything in life some are very good and some are horrible.

There are free tools out there. But I'm a believer that you get what you pay for.

That's why I use one tool that stands above all the rest. Its called HoldemPirate or HoldemHawk. And it is the best poker odds, outs and probability calculator in the market today.

This tool has dramatically helped me understand how and why I make decisions the way that I do. Sometimes it has helped me when I could have made a very costly decision. It's amazing the clarity you can receive from HoldemPirate.

I highly recommend this online poker tool. If you truly want to win more and systematically increase your odds of winning then you owe it to yourself to at least review this great online poker tool. In fact, you should get it as soon as possible.

PD Laughlin is an author and professional Texas Holdem player. He has done extensive research and discovered the very best way to earn a living playing online poker. Discover his secrets at http://www.win-at-holdem.com .
Check out PD's recommended online poker tool at http://HoldemPirate.com .

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