Friday, September 26, 2008

HUD debate for poker calculator software

The poker forum is a plcae for such debates, but in this one I really feel such softwrae features are better off with other products.

I know it won't happen, but I think it would be awesome it TI had a small HUD that, if nothing else, placed the opponents profile icon and MZone number (in the appropriate color) next to their name on the table. That's all. I'm not looking to have all the information up on the table, just those two key reference points and reminders.

This may not seem like a big deal, and sometimes it's not, but it would be nice to have a simple reminder up there while I play.

I still study the Tournament Indicator grid information regularly and I would not discount or disregard that information, but, especially when multi-tabling, it would be nice to have a little icon "at eye level" that quickly reminds me (or at least keeps me from making a stupid mistake) who I am playing against.

Anyways, I know it's just wishful thinking, and many of you will probably say it's not necessary (of course, it's not necessary) but it would prove helpful for me at least, so I thought I would throw it out there. : )

I hope this NEVER happens because it means screen-scraping technology rather than reading the chat box, a far more reliable option for poker assist software which is what TI, HI and now Omaha Indicator use. HUD means a very difficult and quirky prone update process whenever the poker sites change their software, limited resizing options, and monopolization of your monitor. You can always get quick, individual player stats by clicking on their name in the profile window. - a neat, clean, and superior functioning option.

First, one of the reasons I doubt something like this would ever happen is the instability issues that you mentioned. I agree that a HUD complicates this from a developers stand point. That said, I have used HUDs in both poker and a variety of other applications that go off without a hitch. It can be done well, it's just a matter of doing it well.

As far as monopolization of one's monitor, that sounds like a little bit of an overstatement as a tiny icon and a colored number are nothing compared to what some of these ridiculous HUDs try to do. I can't stand looking at all that number graffiti all over the place either. A HUD can still be neat and clean.

I can and do click on people's names to get information and that is helpful, but again, for me personally, this is not really any quicker or easier than just looking at the profile grid when you are multi-tabling.

Anyways, I was not so much pleading for a new feature as commenting on something that I believe would help me personally. It's just my two cents. For me, the only negative would be from a developer's standpoint (particularly as someone who is familiar with this side of things). Even though it could be done (and done well) it is a commitment on the part of the developer so I understand and don't expect such a feature to come about.

Anyways, to each their own and I still LOVE my TI. : )


Agreed. It is a separate program if you want to deal with the extra headaches... and they are there. One of the best facets of TI's appeal is its ease of use and quick updates.

I have tested and used many poker calculators with HUD displays and can firmly stand by such deficiencies mentioned above. Not as a matter of regular operation but of at least intermittent instability. If you still doubt that, you can check those programs own forums and feedback.


"As far as monopolization of one's monitor, that sounds like a little bit of an overstatement as a tiny icon and a colored number are nothing compared to what some of these ridiculous HUDs try to do. I can't stand looking at all that number graffiti all over the place either. A HUD can still be neat and clean."

The issue is NOT the space of HUD display, but the limitation in most of that type of poker software in resizing tables and table themes. The ones that have managed it to resize it are even more susceptible to crashing, screen jumps, and image freezing.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

How are this guys poker calculator stats?

Poker Calculator Stats in the orange M zone.

a) vpip of 18%. That's 18% of hands dealt.
b) pfr% of 13%. That's 13% of hands dealt.
c) af of 3.8. I think I can figure that one out.
d) wsd% of 51%. That's 51% of 18%(vpip)
e) wsdw% of 84%. That's 84% of 51%(wsd%) of 18%(vpip)
f) won% of 18%. Thats 18% of ?

are a) through e) correct?
can someone fill in the blank in f) for me?

3) Except for the Green Mzone, my wsd% are all red. I assume red means suboptimal (is that a word?) Can someone explain the reasoning behind that?

4) Keeping in mind that I did a lot of low blind limping in position with crap to see 900 flops to unlock TI, what can I learn from my stats?

a) I don't play my Mzone correctly. My vpip doesn't go up as my M goes down. Correct?
b) My wsd% are all red but my wsd&won% are 85%,79%,84%,88% and 67%. What's up with that?

Any assistance would be appreciated. I've got a +ROI on 9 man SNG on Poker Stars: 14% over 1470 $1.20, 9.5% over 636 $3.40, 2.7% over 373 $5.50. Pacific this last week was 9% over 96 low BI STT. I give these stats to show what is possible for me playing super nitty first level thinking poker.

With TI, I can now start thinking past what I'm holding in my hand. I was going to cash out from Pacific once I unlocked Tournament Indicator, but I'm starting to get data on some semi-regs. It's a great feeling to sit down at a table and have stats on 2 or 3 of my opponents. Now I can start playing them instead of only my cards.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Odds calculation Q&A

Q: I'm trying to see if this makes sense:
You have AK. Flop is 852r. Opponent has JJ. You know this for sure.

There is $7.50 in the pot. He moves all in for $2.50. (Let's assume that AK has exactly a 25% chance of winning the pot on the flop if he's all in).

I have to call $2.50 to win $10, which is 25%. So if he moves all in for $3 I should fold?

Is that correct? Really I'm just trying to see if I understand pot odds properly, more than i care about debating calling or folding for other reasons.

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A: AK V JJ with a flop that eliminates all backdoor draws, basically simplifying it to 6 outs for the AK to win with the Jacks having 2 more jacks to eliminate any chance for the AK. I always use 45 as the range, so x/45 is the probability of hitting an out on each forthcoming street. Since you have 2 streets the chance to hit 6 outs is 6/45 + 6/44= 26.97% , given that you dont hit one the first street. There is the chance that they can hit a Jack and those odds are either 2/45 on the turn and 2/44 on the river, which only really matters if the AK were to hit on the turn since it doesnt affect anything really until AK improves.

This is how I would break it down:
-26.97 of the time AK improves and wins
-4.44% of the time a Jack will come on the turn and seal the deal so that the river doesnt affect anything if AK improves 13.63% of the time on the river
-Which breaks down in numbers to 6/44-2/45(6/44)= 13.02%
-4.54% of the time a Jack will come on the river if AK improves on the turn.
-Which breaks down in numbers to 6/45-2/44(6/45)= 12.73%
-Since you have 2 streets, each with outs on probability, you add the 2 chances together and come to a 25.75% chance of winning after a complete no drawing flop comes, of course in real simple terms, with real simple math and with no real other factors or variables in a perfect scenario, which cant be accomplished obviously.

The numbers most poker calculators gives is around 24%, slightly less than 3/1. Remember calling 2.50 to get 10 is actually 4/1, I think that may be where people get confused. So even calling 3 would be 3 for 10.50 or 3.5/1 to call, in either case making it mathematically correct to call.

I think my math is right, I don't have my Barry Greenstein book "Ace on the River" to reference my math against but oh well...