The Big Rule First: Tools Are For Studying, Not Cheating
Before we get into tool types, a quick reality check:
- Some tools are allowed on some sites and banned on others.
- “Real-time assistance” (RTA) is widely prohibited and can get accounts banned.
- The safest mindset: use tools off-table to learn, and follow your site’s rules.
Good study tools help you make better decisions later—not outsource decisions mid-hand.
If you want the full learning framework first, start with Online Poker Guide: Rules, Strategy & Tips. This article breaks down the main tool types and shows you a practical “study stack” that works for real online players.
The Four Tool Categories That Matter Most
Most poker study software fits into four buckets:
- Trackers and databases (hand histories + stats)
- Equity calculators (quick math and range vs range)
- Solvers (strategy training and spot checking)
- Note-taking and review workflow tools (tags, groups, routines)
You don’t need all four on Day 1. But it helps to know what each one is for.
Tool #1: Trackers And Hand Databases
A tracker is your “poker accounting system.” It stores hand histories and helps you find patterns you’d never notice from memory.
What Trackers Help You Do
- identify win rate by position
- locate your biggest losing spots (3-bet pots, river calls, blind defense)
- filter hands by action (called river, faced 3-bet, check-raised flop)
- tag hands during play for later review
The Best Way To Use A Tracker (Without Getting Lost)
Don’t start with 50 stats.
Start with 3 questions:
- Where am I losing the most money?
- Which spots do I tag as “unsure” most often?
- Which mistakes repeat across many sessions?
High-Value Filters To Check First
These filters usually reveal leaks fast:
- Big pots lost (decision quality matters most here)
- River calls (many pools are under-bluffed; overcalling is expensive)
- 3-bet pots (tight ranges, high pressure, high EV mistakes)
- Blind defense (small leaks add up quickly)
Tool #2: Equity Calculators
Equity calculators answer the question:
How often does my hand (or range) win against their range?
This is useful for:
- draw decisions
- all-in calls
- “am I actually ahead often enough?” checks
What To Use Equity Calculators For
- compare top pair vs draw-heavy ranges
- see how equity shifts when the board changes
- learn what “dominated” really looks like in numbers
- sanity-check “it felt like I was always behind” spots
How To Use Them Correctly
Equity calculators don’t tell you the perfect play automatically.
They tell you:
- whether calling or shoving is possible from a math standpoint
- how close a decision is
Then you still consider:
- fold equity
- opponent tendencies
- stack sizes and tournament life
Tool #3: Solvers
Solvers are powerful—but they’re not required to improve.
Think of a solver as a training partner that helps you understand:
- which hands bet and which hands check
- how sizing changes strategy
- why some bluffs are better than others
- how ranges behave on different boards
The Most Common Solver Mistake
Running random hands with no goal.
You’ll end up learning “cool lines” instead of fixing the leaks that cost you money.
The Best Solver Use For Most Players
Use solvers to study repeating spots, like:
- button vs blind single-raised pots
- common 3-bet pot flops
- turn barrels on specific textures
- river big-bet decisions (polarized spots)
What To Focus On Inside Solver Outputs
You don’t need to memorize every combo.
Focus on:
- range-level ideas (who has advantage)
- bet size logic (why small vs big)
- categories (value hands, bluffs, checks)
- which hands clearly do NOT belong in a line you take often
Tool #4: Tags, Notes, And A Review Workflow
The most underrated “tool” is your workflow.
Because the best software in the world is useless if you don’t review consistently.
Tagging Rules That Actually Work
During play, tag hands that are:
- big pots
- close decisions
- emotional moments (tilt, fear, autopilot)
- spots you keep misplaying (your “same movie” hands)
If your review process needs structure, revisit How To Review Your Online Poker Hands For Improvement.
Notes: Keep Them Simple
Good notes are not novels.
Use quick labels like:
- “Overfolds turn”
- “Calls too wide preflop”
- “Big river bets = value”
- “Check-raises draws”
Even one good note can save you money later.
The “Study Stack” Workflow (Simple And Repeatable)
Here’s a clean weekly workflow that uses tools without overwhelm.
Step 1: Collect (During Sessions)
- Tag 3–10 hands per session
- Add one sentence why you tagged each
Step 2: Filter (1–2 Times Per Week)
Use your tracker to pull:
- biggest losing pots
- frequent trouble spots (river calls, 3-bet pots, blind defense)
Step 3: Check (Equity Calculator)
For the closest decisions:
- run your hand vs a reasonable range
- see if your “feel” matches the math
Step 4: Spot-Study (Optional Solver)
Only for repeated spots:
- compare your line vs solver baseline
- identify what you’re overdoing (over-bluffing, over-calling, over-c-betting)
Step 5: Convert To One Rule
Example rules:
- “I stop calling big rivers without blockers or evidence of bluffs.”
- “I defend blinds tighter versus early position opens.”
- “In 3-bet pots OOP, I check more and avoid auto-c-bets.”
One rule per week beats ten ideas you forget.
What Tools Will Improve You The Fastest?
If you’re choosing where to start:
Best First Tool: Tracker + Tags
Because it shows you where you’re actually losing money.
Best Second Tool: Equity Calculator
Because it teaches you what “close” spots really look like.
Best Third Tool: Solver (Only If You Have A Clear Focus)
Because solver learning sticks when it’s applied to repeating spots.
Common Mistakes When Using Poker Study Tools
- collecting hands but never reviewing them
- drowning in stats instead of focusing on patterns
- using solvers for random curiosity spots
- ignoring site rules and risking account problems
- trying to “learn everything” instead of fixing one leak
- studying only coolers and bad beats (no decision = no lesson)
Quick Takeaways
- Poker software helps most when it finds patterns and leaks, not when it adds complexity
- Trackers show where money is lost; tags make review efficient
- Equity calculators teach the math behind calls, shoves, and draws
- Solvers are best for repeated spots, not random hands
- Your workflow matters: collect → filter → check → study → convert to one rule
- Always follow site rules and avoid anything resembling real-time assistance
Mini FAQ
Do I Need A HUD To Improve?
No. A tracker database and review routine can improve your game even without a HUD.
What If I Feel Overwhelmed By Stats?
Start with filters (big pots, river calls, 3-bet pots) and one leak at a time. Ignore the rest.
Are Solvers Only For Pros?
No, but they work best when you already know what spot you’re trying to fix.
Where To Go Next
You now know how to use poker study tools properly: trackers to find patterns, equity calculators to check math, solvers to train repeated spots, and a workflow that turns insights into one real rule.
If you want to reinforce this, the best next move is to get better at one specific review skill that instantly upgrades your analysis: how to analyze showdown hands after the session (what hands actually got to showdown, what lines they took, and what that says about ranges and tendencies).
Continue with How To Analyze Showdown Hands Post-Game.
