HUDs are one of the most popular tools to help poker players of all levels. It is a viewer containing essential information for the player, which is displayed on the screen at all times and allows the player to have at hand crucial information about the game situation and his main statistics.
Data such as VPIP, PFR or stack are reflected in the HUD. There are many types of HUDs, but they all serve the same purpose. It’s all a matter of choosing the one that best suits the preferences of each user. But let’s start by knowing what is the HUD in poker and what purpose it serves.
What is the HUD in poker
HUD stands for Heads Up Display, an element not exclusive to poker that is used to provide the user with essential information about what is happening on the screen. We are not exaggerating if we say that the HUD is vital in many cases to obtain the victory, since the quick and accurate decision making is based on the proper management of information, and that information is obtained through data that the player handles. The fastest way to obtain that data is through a HUD.
However, the rules surrounding HUDs are quite disparate. Many figures associated with the upper echelons of some world-renowned poker platforms have advocated the prohibition of poker HUDs, on the grounds that poker is a game of mental skill and that providing such data through software neutralizes that strategic component.
In poker, a HUD is an aid that allows players to have essential data at hand. But, depending on where you play, you may even be able to access an advanced HUD with data beyond what these tools normally offer when playing poker. In any case, it is important that you check that the platform where you usually play poker is compatible with the use of a poker HUD. If not, you will have to adapt to the game without it, or look for a new platform that is compatible.
The 5 best poker HUDs
Next, we are going to make a brief review of some of the best poker HUDs of the moment.
- Poker Tracker. When we talk about the best poker HUDs, it is a recurring name. And the fact is that, based on its powerful updates, it has managed to offer a complete HUD, full of data, colorful and easily manageable. It integrates seamlessly into the screen and has many customization options, making each poker HUD different depending on what each player decides.
One of Poker Tracker’s strengths is that it streamlines the training process. Training in poker takes hours, requires dedication and sometimes a HUD can be helpful to make learning much more agile.
- DRIVEHUD. It is one of the best poker HUDs for first time players. One of the virtues of DRIVEHUD is that it handles the data one by one, which improves the sensations during the learning process. The handicap of the most advanced HUDs is that they handle a lot of data simultaneously, something that for many is counterproductive. DRIVEHUD is good at that, as well as in its design, which allows displaying coded statistics in a very simple way and without taking up hardly any space.
- Hold’em Manager. It is one of the most veteran, and for those looking for a free poker HUD, have the opportunity to join its free trial to try it for a limited time in its full version, at no additional cost. The best of all is that it is a HUD designed for all types of players, that you can customize as you wish and that supports numerous customization options to adapt it to the preferences of each user.
- Poker Copilot. It is perfect for recreational or casual players who enjoy online poker on a Mac. Its design is specially adapted to the controls of these computers, and enhances precise control even with trackpad to customize it, move its position and make the desired changes without interrupting the action.
- Hand2Note. Hand2Note combines the best of a free poker HUD, with simple and easy to locate options, with the most advanced of the big HUDs, such as Hold’em Manager or Poker Tracker. It is designed for occasional players, who play poker frequently but do not follow a predefined routine. It is a HUD designed to offer advanced features, but it is not intended for daily use.
Generally speaking, free poker HUDs have only a part of the functions that their “big brothers” have. To give you an idea of what they can offer, some of them have a free trial option, which unlocks for a limited time all the features of the HUD so you can experience everything it has to offer. It is a good way to check if the HUD suits what you are looking for, or if you should look for an alternative.