Poker software and policies

Third-party software are used by some online poker players to enhance their game results. This type of software can provide the user with statistics, odds and advice. Among the most common concepts are heads-up displays (HUDs), that collect data and show numbers on other players while the poker client is running.

There are many programs on the market, such as PokerTracker, Holdem Manager and Flopzilla. In recent years, however, some software made to improve the result are no longer allowed by the poker sites or due to changes in the clients can’t be used.

General rules for a software to be allowed

Allowed features in software in most poker rooms:

Software that present diagrams, odds, starting hand rankings and other static information.
Software that creates a profile based on the hand you are playing against this player.
Software that analyze your game through the hand history and present data upon it.

Not allowed features in software in most poker rooms:

Software that present advice in real time based on the situation on the table.
Software that get player hand history from a central database.

Poker room specific rules for software use

Many poker rooms have been stricter in their policy on use of software. Here of some policies from different poker rooms.

Poker Stars

Poker Stars use the term “External player Assistance tools” (“EPA Tools”) concerning software that are not allowed. This refers to software “that are designed to provide an ‘unfair advantage’ to players ... as computer software (other than the Software), and non-software-based systems (e.g. web sites, subscription services and physical materials).”

Poker Stars gives a list with software that “are prohibited at all times”:

Advanced Poker
CalculatorAlphaPoker
CardAnalyzer
Cardhider
Frogbot
FullAutoHoldem
Gambot
Hand Grabber
Hand HQ
HH Repository
HHCollector
HHdealer
hhSmithy
Hold'em Watcher
Holdem Hawk
Holdem Inspector
Holdem Pirate
Holdem Spy
Holdem Tournament Raider
ICM-Bot
iHH Harvester
Mandraker
MyPokerIntel
NoLimitFoldem
Online Omaha High Inspector
Online Poker Bot
Online Tournament Inspector
Open Holdem Bot
OPI Wizard
Paragon Poker Pal
Poker Android
Poker Bloodhound
Poker Bot+
Poker Crusher
Poker Edge
Poker Inspector
Poker Mate
Poker Prophecy
Poker Sherlock
Poker Sidekick
Poker Table Manager
Poker Usher
POKERobot
Preflop Autofolder
Preflop Poker Bot
RatingViewer
Seeker
Sense Mind
SessionLord CashOpener
SessionLord HandTracker
SessionLord Multitabling
SessionLord SngAutoColoring
SessionLord SnGOpener
SessionLord SpinRegistrator
Shanky Bot
SharkMate
Sit And Go Shark
Sit n' Go Brain
Sixth Sense
SmartCollector
SpadeEye
Stars Hand History
SpinWiz
StarSpy
StatsForPoker
Stud Inspector
Table Ratings
Texas Auto Fold
WarBot
WinHoldem

Poker Stars also present tools that are allowed:

ALL IN Expert
ChartManager
ChartView
Chart Helper
CoffeeCalcs
ColoringTool
Combonator
HoldemResources Calculator
Holy Grail of Poker
Hold'em Manager
Hold'em Signs
ICMIZER
Jennifear
Limit Hold'em Pre-flop Hand Advisor by Intellipoker
MonkerSolver
OmahaChecker
Paperless Poker Plan
PokerStrategy's Equilab
PokerStrategy ICM Trainer
PokerStove
Poker Push Bot
PreflopSSS
ProPokerTool's Odds Oracle
ProPokerTools' Simulations
PushPot
RangeEdge
SAGE Decision Calculator
Short Stacking Strategy Calculator
SimpleNash
SitnGo Wizard
Sit n' Go End Game Tools
Slice
SnapShove
SNG Solver
SNG Power Tools
Spade ICM
SpinsHelper
STT Analyze
TableNinja 1
Texas Calculatem

Party Poker

Party Poker doesn’t mention HUDs and software in their T&Cs. They only mention “the use of software programs which are designed to enable artificial intelligence” to play on the site and enable unfair advantage.