There exists a tool for online poker players to view other player's statistics at the table, this tool is referred to as HUD (heads up display). This tool is indispensable to the skilled professional. Professional online poker players often play several tables at a time, many will play anywhere from four to sixteen tables at once using several monitors. When playing this many tables at once it is virtually impossible to keep track of every opponent's playing style. So, in a glance you can view who plays how and their stats using a HUD. Let's look at how it works.

There exists a tool for online poker players to view other player's statistics at the table, this tool is referred to as HUD (heads up display). This tool is indispensable to the skilled professional. Professional online poker players often play several tables at a time, many will play anywhere from four to sixteen tables at once using several monitors. When playing this many tables at once it is virtually impossible to keep track of every opponent's playing style. So, in a glance you can view who plays how and their stats using a HUD. Let's look at how it works.

On your hard drive is stored the histories of every hand you play online. They are then imported into a tracking software and stored into a database. This database is then read by HUDs along with the current hand histories for live tables. The stats are displayed directly on the table which then enables poker players to make a quick decision based on the playing styles of their opponents. Now let's see how beneficial it is in actual play.

If an opponent is watched closely during play we can study their style and exploit their weaknesses, using HUD in conjunction with a datamining software can win you a big advantage over your opponents. Without spending a lot of time studying your opponents you can know exactly how they will play and can move from table to table. Your software will do all of this for you. Some players may fold the flop 60% of the time and constantly check raise the turn. With the help of your HUD you can see this coming just by glancing at the stats. Without a HUD an opponent would have to be watched so closely for so many hands for you to learn their standard play. Let's say a player sits down at a table and tries to run over the table raising 50% of the time before the flop. Well eventually you may pick up on this even if you are playing 8 or more tables, but with a HUD you will know what you are dealing with before the first hand is dealt.

You will also be able to see your opponent's hole cards after the hand is over if they go to shutdown. This is another useful tool a HUD offers. Even if the players muck their cards so you can't see them your HUD will still pick up the data. Knowing what a player will call a river bet with is helpful because it helps you value bet the river against players who showdown weak hands.

Anyone playing poker online should be using a heads up display. The professionals are using them, shouldn't you?