The Positives and Negatives of Using Poker Tracking Software

With the recent allegations of data-mining on the high-stakes tables at Full Tilt Poker -Where after a $4 million win over Isildur1, Brian Hastings let the cat out of the bag that Brian Townsend had data-mined Isildur1’s hands– many people have started debating the legality and ethics involved in using tracking software at the tables, and if it provides an unfair advantage -most sites disallow data-mining already, but do allow players to collect their own hand history databases.

Software like Poker Tracker, Poker Office, and Holdem Manager, as well as data-mining sites like PokerTableRatings.com and SharkScope.com have changed the way online poker is being played. While I won’t get into the ethics and legality of tracking software in this article –it is a hotly debated issue– instead I will focus on some of the positive and negative aspects using tracking software offers players, as well as its impact on poker overall.

Obviously, when it comes to the advantages it offers a player versus the disadvantages it’s a no-brainer… Using poker tracking software is extremely helpful: Otherwise so many players wouldn’t use it!

The Positives:

• Allows online poker players to analyze their results

This was the original intent of these programs; to let players view their statistics and plug leaks in their games.

• Allows a player to multi-table more proficiently

Not having to focus on every individual opponent, poker players are able to play multiple tables at the same time.

• Allows players to break down their opponents’ play

After a session players can look at some of their opponent’s plays and study up on them for future battles: Similar to watching tape in football.

The Negatives:

• Players become less proficient at reading their opponents

If you don’t use a skill it will eventually diminish, so players who rely on software will be in for a big surprise should they ever be denied its use.

• Players use tracking software as a crutch, and have become lazy in regards to note-taking and such

Some might argue that tracking software is killing the part of the game that rewards hard work, and instead awarding players who take the easy way out.

Long-Term Effects

When it comes to its effect on poker as a whole, the results are a little more unclear, since using tracking software has quite a few negative outcomes for poker’s long-term growth and success.

• Players feel they are being cheated

Players who are not using these programs -and find out about them later on-feel they have been cheated. And the last thing online poker needs is more cheating allegations.

• Players use stats to criticize other players

For some reason players have no problem “tapping the glass” and using a player’s stats to berate and criticize them. Solid poker players know there is no faster way to have a fish quit the session -and quite possibly poker-than by criticizing and humiliating them.

• It gives the good players even more of an advantage over poor players

Poker is designed to sheer the bad players, not to skin them, otherwise they have no reason to keep playing: Poor players have to win just enough of the time, so they think it’s luck and not their poor play that is causing their losses. However, with the addition of tracking software, more and more bad players are being skinned.

• With software companies and websites pushing the envelope for better products the line between ok and unethical becomes more blurred

This is the most worrisome issue: Even if you feel the current incarnations are totally legitimate, it won’t be long before some company puts out a newer version that crosses the line. And as long as the software works, and gives players an edge, most of them will use it.