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Utilising Holdem
Manager
Holdem Manager is tracking
software that, utilised properly, is an essential tool for all
poker players looking to improve their game. It’s so much more
that just tracking software and throughout this article we will
explain why by looking at; what is Holdem Manager, how to use it,
benefits, bad points and how to improve your game using the
software before looking at some key points.
What is Holdem
Manager?
Holdem Manager is used to track
all the hands you play on supported sites and giving you literally
thousands of different statistics for your play. Used correctly, it
can be a fantastic leak finding tool and an efficient way to spot
any mistakes you may be making that you are unaware of.
For a cash game player it gives
you six sub headings that include reports, preflop cards, hands,
sessions, graphs and vs player.
Under reports it allows you to
customise which stats you want it to show ranging anything from
hands, amount won, VPIP stats, PFR stats and so much more. You can
choose well over 500 different stats to evaluate your game and also
any of your opponents’ games.
The sessions tab will show
information on how each session has panned out with stats including
start and finish times, minutes played, stakes, hands, amount won
and any stats that you have chosen to view. Each page is fully
customisable and offers a truly bespoke way to view and analyse
your play.
The graphs tab shows just that,
graphs. You can edit this page to show your graph for the day, week
month or year and also customise it to include your rakeback or
bonus earnings and all in ev line.
Whilst the tournament section
on Holdem Manager is not as thorough compared to that of cash
section, it still provides a more than comprehensive overview of
stats, winnings and results, coupled with a host of other editable
attributes.
How to Use Holdem
Manger
It’s important when first
setting up your Holdem Manger database that you use their
walkthrough guide as the process can be a little tricky even for
the more tech savvy amongst you. Their site provides excellent
support and a broad forum for you to float any questions
about.
Once set up the most valuable
feature is the HUD (Heads UP Display). This will provide real time
stats on your opponents which will be recorded into your database.
If you are a multi tabler then it’s almost impossible to keep up
with each individual player and take extensive notes on their play.
The HUD provides you with this information instantaneously so you
can keep track on how your opponent is playing.
Your HUD is totally unique to
you and what information you want it to show. Some basic stats that
are vital will be things like VPIP, PFR, 3 Bet %, Hands and CBet %.
From there you can add and take away which ever stats you feel are
going to be most beneficial.
It’s a good idea that you
keep the amount of stats they show to a reasonable level. Too many
stats can become overwhelming and tough to keep track of so bare
this in mind. Also the HUD will allow you to click on it at any
stage during your session to see a more thorough overview of your
opponent’s stats. This will disappear when you are finished, so
don’t feel you have to have them all showing.
A key feature in Holdem Manager
is the session tab. This will give you an overview of the session
you have just played and give you an opportunity to look over your
hands. You can sort each column to show you the biggest winning and
losing pots and then see a real time re-run of the hand. This is a
great way to spot if you feel you have made any mistakes in the
hand and realise where you may have gone wrong.
Benefits
Holdem Manager is such a
fantastic piece of software that it’s highly recommended you
invest if you are looking to improve your game. It will likely more
than pay for itself in spotting mistakes you may be making at the
table and allowing you to confront these leaks.
The vast array of stats on not
only your game, but also that of your opponents will give you
information that even the sharpest poker eye will miss. It also
saves hours of your time by tracking your results at just the click
of a button.
The program is also available
on pretty much all the major networks now, which means that no
matter which site you play at, the software will be compatible so
there really are no excuses not to have it.
Bad
Points
The only real downside to
Holdem Manager comes in the form of people being misguided and
misinterpreting the stats. It’s all well and good having a bunch
of numbers in front of you, but if you can’t figure out what they
mean, then they are as good as useless.
As long as you put a decent
amount of effort in to learn what each stat means and interpret
what they stand for then the downsides to Holdem Manager are few
and far between.
How to Improve your
Game with Holdem Manager
By having all this in depth
statistical analysis of your game at your finger tips it allows you
to spot any glaring leaks in your game. It’s not going to make
you a winning player overnight but will certainly help identify
your problem areas.
Even if you are not a
comprehensive stats person, it’s likely that with a large enough
database of hands that you can find someone in the poker community
to take a look and spot areas that you need to improve.
Over time you will become more
familiarised with the program and be able to see which stats look
out of place and address the problem.
The ability to re-run a whole
sessions play is also a fantastic tool to improve. When in game
time scenarios your thought process may not be as sharp as when you
evaluate your play, meaning that you can see for real where you are
going wrong.
Key
Points
- Holdem Manager should be an
essential piece of software for any poker player
- Spend time familiarising
yourself with the layout and HUD at lower stakes before playing
your original stakes
- Use the Holdem Manager forums
and support for any help you need with the setup
- Improve your game with all the
leak finding software it includes
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