Sometimes all players can win online poker. However, to make a profit every day, you need to constantly work on your game – improve as a professional and refine your strategy. There are always exceptions, but statistics show that players who “play with their heart” rather than their mind, of course, do not achieve great success.

However, strangely enough, the truth is that most professionals invest their precious time in training and program analysis, rather than playing at online tables! In this article, we will explore what exactly is the best poker training program and how such tools can help you improve your game skills.

Additionally, we will discuss other forms of training, such as mobile apps or books about poker, which can help elevate your game level.

poker tools and software

Best Poker Rooms

Tracking and Database Programs for Poker (HUD)

POKER TRACKER 4

pokertracker 4

PokerTracker 4 is an advanced, leading, and very user-friendly program for those who want to improve their poker results. It can be used on both Mac and Windows computers.

If you are not using PokerTracker 4, you can be sure that the vast majority of players at your virtual table are using it. Because you don't have this program, you might be missing out on some winnings…

PokerTracker 4 is an excellent solution, especially for those who want to start playing better and more successfully. Everyone can try this program for free for 14 days, so there are no reasons not to download it.

Using PokerTracker 4, you will be able to track numerous statistical values, monitor your cash flow, and even your success curve… This program can quite easily turn your failures around 180 degrees and provide all the necessary tools for greater winnings.

PokerTracker fully supports 888Poker, PokerStars, Winamax, iPoker Network games, and offers partial support with almost all possible functions for many other poker rooms.

Read the PokerTracker4 review.

HOLDEM MANAGER 3

holdemmanager3

If you are looking for something modern, innovative, and capable of fully satisfying both beginner and experienced poker players' expectations – Holdem Manager 3 or HM3 is exactly what you need.

If you are very active players, this program is one of the best choices, as unlike the previously mentioned ones, it collects vsHero data, which is very important when you spend a lot of time at the same table with a particular player.

This data alone is so important that it should convince serious players to choose HM3. The program allows each player to create their own individual control screen or choose from predefined parameters.

After each gaming session, you will be able to analyze not only your moves but also those of your opponents. HM3 has both a paid and a free trial version.

If you are interested in trying one of the most highly rated poker programs in the world – choose HM Free. If you decide to purchase the program, note that there are several versions: the cheapest – for small stakes only. The popular or slightly more expensive – for all stake sizes, and the most expensive – for all types of stakes in Holdem and Omaha poker. There are also separate HM3 versions for Omaha games.

Read the HoldemManager3 review.

GTO (Game Theory Optimal) Programs

GTO+

GTO+

If you can use a GTO type poker program – you significantly increase your chances of improving your results in the long run. Why? Because GTO or game theory optimization supercalculators are extremely advanced, very accurate, and intelligent programs.

They are equipped with very complex algorithms (e.g., in the case of GTO+ – Nash equilibrium strategy and others), which lead statistical mathematical models based on the game flow. With the help of these models, you can win more than without them.

Specifically, GTO+ is one of the most advanced programs, with a license costing $75. The program prides itself on being one of the fastest GTO type calculators on the market. GTO+ offers many useful statistical models for the player. It constantly generates graphs and decision trees.

The GTO+ website states that using this program – you won't need any other.

SIMPLE GTO TRAINER

SIMPLE GTO TRAINER

Simple GTO is a group of programs that have very impressive capabilities to analyze almost every possible situation that may arise during the game. Simple GTO is not just a Trainer, which we mentioned in the title. Although the mentioned Trainer program type is most suitable for this case, as it offers the most functions.

However, other players can choose POSTFLOP (a GTO calculator analyzing pre-flop and post-flop situations), GTOBASE (an analytical program for poker strategies), GTO SENSEI (a mobile application), and many others. With the help of these tools, you will save a lot of time and increase your winnings. The best part is that you can try all the tools of this platform for free.

With Simple GTO, players can learn to handle very complex situations and conveniently learn the most advanced playing strategies. A lot of statistics, bet analysis, and other data are all you need to win more.

Read more about GTO Solvers here.

PIO SOLVER

pio solver

If there is a tool specifically designed for advanced players and professionals, PioSOLVER is that tool. It is, without competition, one of the most accurate and best poker programs that allows you to optimally apply strategy based on game theory.

Users always see which combinations can bring success, i.e., when to bet, when to raise, or when to fold. The downside is that being very advanced, the program is also too deep and too complex for beginners. If you haven't used any programs before, we do not recommend starting with PioSOLVER.

For experienced players, we will say that if you purchase PioSOLVER pro or PioSOLVER edge, you will definitely not have any complaints. The programs are used by the most serious players from around the world, who have significantly increased their winnings after installing this program.

A feature highly valued by PioSOLVER users is the setting of ranges. It allows the solver-type program to get much more realistic models and offer more successful solutions. Also, if you want to use this program seriously, you need to know that it requires a lot of computational resources.

Therefore, your internet speed must be enormous, your computer very powerful, or, as many foreign players do, rent a separate server specifically for PioSOLVER programs.

Despite these downsides, if you play at tables with higher stakes, this program will definitely help you move forward and win more than before.

Compared to PokerSnowie (which is the most similar to PioSOLVER), this program still lacks the ability to analyze situations when many players remain at the table in a postflop situation.

You can read more about GTO tools in our article here.

Hand Analysis Tools

ICMIZER

One of the more popular tools, ICMIZER helps you become a better player. An advanced and very modern calculator allows you to make the right decisions in preflop situations and later stages of tournaments.

The essence of ICMIZER is to help make good decisions at all stages of the game in both Multi-Table-Tournament and Sit‘n‘Go Tournament type tournaments.

In short, using ICMIZER, you will clearly see what and how to do in every possible situation.

The term ICM is encoded in the program's name. It stands for Independent Chip Model in English.

It uses the Nash mathematical model we mentioned earlier to help improve your results without significant losses or failures. Before starting to use ICMIZER, you should familiarize yourself with the instructional video material to know whether it is better to push your opponents (PUSH) or fold (FOLD) based on the readings.

Understanding is only needed to learn how to read the readings. The program itself is extremely accurate but also easy to use. You can try it for free.

Poker Learning Software

POKERSNOWIE

PokerSnowie is one of the few poker tools that applies artificial intelligence, using GTO poker theory to help make better decisions and analyze your game.

With PokerSnowie, you will be able to see immediately whether you are playing optimally and which decisions you are making well and which not.

Unfortunately, the tool does not have the ability to show how to exploit the mistakes and gaps of weaker players and will not identify the most common decisions of the players at the table. However, even assuming that everyone plays without mistakes, PokerSnowie is a very useful tool for most players.

It will help fundamentally improve skills and analyze past games.

One of the biggest advantages is that this program can be used by Windows and Mac OS users as well as iPhone and Android smartphone owners. Anyone can try the free version. It is also worth mentioning the hand import tool. By entering your game history into the program, you could see where you should have acted differently and where you could have earned more money.

Finally, if you want to improve your results without risk, play against PokerSnowie's artificial intelligence and improve your skills and knowledge in GTO poker without risk. Want to expand your arsenal as a player? Use PokerSnowie!

Essential Poker Support Programs

There are countless poker programs available. Unfortunately, almost all of them are paid and often not the cheapest. Fortunately for new players, you don't need to buy them all to start playing profitably. Lower limit players will only need one (or essentially one and a half) programs – a game tracker and some kind of HUD. Trackers are usually PokerTracker or Hold ‘Em Manager. The HUD will almost always depend on the format being played, as different information will be useful in MTT, Cash, and Spin N’ Go games.

The second important program is Equilab. Equilab is a free program but very useful for every player. This program allows you to calculate the probabilities of selected situations for different numbers of players.

Higher-level players will start needing more programs. One of the most important when moving to the highest limits and very strong play is the aforementioned GTO solvers. These will help discover new opportunities to outplay both good and bad players and win more money. These programs often cost a lot, so it should be an investment only when it becomes useful.

Support Poker Programs – Benefits and Uses

Support poker programs have existed for a long time. Essentially, they are used for two purposes – to improve decision-making during the game (i.e., HUDs) or to help in training (i.e., game history collecting programs like PokerTracker or Hold ‘Em Manager or GTO strategy calculators like PIOSolver).

Game history collecting programs have already become a fundamental part of any regular player's arsenal. As soon as these programs appeared, a significant advantage they provided was noticed.

Even if there were no HUDs, just the hand history, which can be analyzed and learned from later, is the most effective way to improve in poker. Programs like Poker Tracker or Hold ‘Em Manager are essential tools for any poker professional.

The second important part of any poker player's arsenal – HUDs. Nowadays, more and more online poker rooms are blocking part of the statistics, long-term statistics collection, or simply not allowing the use of Heads-Up Display during the game.

However, in those online rooms where HUDs are still allowed, not having them is a huge disadvantage. Long-term statistics collection about the opponent is a very important part of decision-making, especially against medium-strength players (or room regs).

Against recreational players, statistics often won't be very useful since there won't be much of it, but sometimes trends can still be noticed. However, HUDs are always very useful in medium-high limits, where regs still have many game leaks.

By analyzing their game, you can find ways to gain more and more edge.

Finally, the third, most modern category, is GTO solvers. GTO (or Game Theory Optimal) calculators can model a situation where the player should not have leaks and cannot be exploited. These calculators are still quite new in the poker world, so not all players fully understand their use.

GTO calculators should be reserved only for those who already have a good understanding of the game itself, the use of strategies against players, and a strong understanding of poker fundamentals.

All players, whether joining a stable or playing alone, should start getting used to frequent use of GTO solvers when moving to higher limits. These programs will not disappear and will become part of many professionals' learning process.

Poker Programs – Summary

It is always worth remembering one important fact about poker – auxiliary programs are only as useful as they are utilized. One of the most common drawbacks of mid-level poker players is the lack of discipline. Buying programs in itself does not give any advantage over anyone.

All programs used to improve poker play should be used as often and consistently as possible. Therefore, it is best to form a weekly or monthly learning program and stick to it. The learning program should include both the use of GTO solvers and the analysis of your hands. Hand analysis should take up the main part of the learning process, especially if there are still many leaks. GTO solvers cannot fill simple game leaks.

Of course, the easiest way to fill game leaks is with the help of a higher-level professional. Therefore, when using auxiliary poker programs, it is always useful to have a poker coach. The reality of poker play is that it is not always clear which decisions are correct, as many decisions can be bad but bring profit in the short term. Usually, such objectively weak spots in the game can only be noticed by higher-level players.

FAQ about Poker Auxiliary Programs

What is a poker solver?

A poker solver is software designed to help players analyze hands and scenarios using Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies to determine the best possible plays.

What are poker trackers?

These are software programs that record and analyze your poker sessions to get to know your game and track your results over time.

What is the best poker tracking tool?

“PokerTracker 4” and “Hold'em Manager 3” are among the most popular and effective poker tracking tools.