What A HUD Is (In Plain English)
A HUD is an overlay that displays information about players at your table, such as:
- how often they enter pots
- how often they raise preflop
- how aggressive they are postflop
- how often they fold to bets
This data usually comes from a tracker that saves your hand histories. Over time, the tracker builds a statistical profile of each player.
Think of a HUD as “notes that update automatically.”
If you want the full online poker foundation first, start with Online Poker Guide: Rules, Strategy & Tips. This article explains what HUDs are, which stats matter most, how to interpret them simply, and how to avoid HUD-related leaks.
Are HUDs Allowed In Online Poker?
It depends on the poker site and the game type. Some rooms allow HUDs in most cash games. Others restrict them or ban them entirely. Some formats (like certain fast-fold or anonymous tables) reduce HUD effectiveness even if they’re allowed.
Simple rule:
- Always follow the site’s terms.
- If a site bans HUDs, don’t use one.
Why HUDs Matter More Online Than Live
Live poker has physical tells and table presence. Online removes that. HUDs partially replace “feel” with data.
HUDs are most helpful because online poker is fast:
- you see many hands
- opponents rotate in and out
- memory is unreliable
A HUD helps you stay consistent and prevents “vibes-based” decisions.
The Only HUD Stats Beginners Should Start With
A common beginner mistake is tracking too many stats. Start with a small set you can understand.
VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money In Pot)
This tells you how often a player plays hands.
- Low VPIP = tight player
- High VPIP = loose player
Simple ranges (rough guide)
- 10–18%: tight
- 19–28%: standard/loose-ish
- 29%+: very loose
PFR (Preflop Raise)
This tells you how often a player raises preflop.
- High PFR = aggressive opener
- Low PFR with high VPIP = calls/limps too much (common recreational pattern)
VPIP vs PFR Gap (A Powerful Quick Read)
This is one of the easiest reads in poker.
- Small gap (example: 22/18) = aggressive and solid
- Big gap (example: 40/10) = loose-passive (“calls too much”)
- Very small and low (example: 14/12) = tight and straightforward
If you only learn one HUD concept, learn this gap.
3-Bet %
How often they re-raise preflop.
- Low 3-bet = mostly value
- Higher 3-bet = includes bluffs and pressure
Beginner use:
- Respect very low 3-bets (they often mean strength)
- Be careful against high 3-bets (you’ll face pressure often)
Aggression (Postflop)
There are different aggression stats depending on the tracker (AF, Agg%). The exact label matters less than the idea:
- do they bet and raise a lot, or call a lot?
Aggressive players bluff more and put you in tough spots. Passive players are more honest.
Fold To C-Bet (Flop)
This tells you how often they fold when the preflop raiser continuation-bets the flop.
- High fold-to-c-bet = they give up a lot
- Low fold-to-c-bet = they continue widely
This stat helps you choose better c-bet spots once you learn continuation betting later in the series.
Sample Size: The Mistake That Breaks HUDs
HUD stats are only reliable with enough hands.
- Over 10 hands: almost useless
- Over 50 hands: starting to form a picture
- 200+ hands: more stable (still not perfect)
Beginner rule:
- Don’t make big decisions from tiny samples.
- Use early stats as hints, not truth.
How To Use HUD Stats Without Overthinking
Here’s a simple approach that works:
Step 1: Identify The Player Type
Use VPIP and PFR:
- tight-aggressive (TAG)
- loose-aggressive (LAG)
- loose-passive (calling station)
- nit (very tight)
You’ll cover player types deeper later, but the HUD gives you a quick shortcut.
Step 2: Make One Adjustment Only
Don’t change everything at once. Pick the most important adjustment.
Examples:
- If they’re loose-passive: value bet more, bluff less
- If they fold too much: c-bet more in good spots
- If they 3-bet a lot: tighten your opens and choose stronger continue hands
Step 3: Confirm At Showdown
HUDs are strongest when you combine stats with evidence:
- what hands did they show?
- do they bluff rivers?
- do they call down light?
This prevents you from trusting numbers blindly.
Common HUD Mistakes Beginners Make
- using too many stats and freezing
- trusting small sample sizes
- assuming stats are “exact truth”
- over-bluffing because “they fold a lot”
- playing robotic poker instead of situational poker
- ignoring table dynamics and stack sizes
The HUD should support your thinking, not replace it.
Do HUDs Make Online Poker Unfair?
HUDs can feel intimidating, but they don’t guarantee wins. They mostly:
- speed up pattern recognition
- reduce memory errors
- help you stay consistent
You can still win without a HUD at many stakes by playing solid fundamentals and taking notes.
If you prefer a low-tech approach, The Importance Of Note-Taking During Online Play later in the series will feel very natural.
A Simple Beginner HUD Layout
If HUDs are allowed and you want a clean setup, keep it minimal:
- VPIP / PFR / 3-Bet
- Fold To C-Bet (Flop)
- Hands sample count
That’s enough to start making better decisions without overwhelming yourself.
Quick Takeaways
- A HUD shows opponent tendencies using tracked hand histories
- Start with only a few stats: VPIP, PFR, 3-bet, fold to c-bet
- The VPIP–PFR gap is one of the best beginner reads
- Sample size matters; don’t trust tiny data
- Use HUDs to make small, smart adjustments—not robotic decisions
Mini FAQ
Do I Need A HUD To Win Online Poker?
No. It helps, but solid fundamentals and good focus can beat many games without a HUD.
What Are The Most Important HUD Stats?
VPIP, PFR, 3-bet, and fold to c-bet are a strong beginner set.
Are HUDs Allowed Everywhere?
No. Rules vary by site and format. Always follow the site’s terms.
Where To Go Next
You’ve now learned what HUDs are and how to use a few key stats without getting overwhelmed.
If you want to reinforce this, the best next move is to understand the other major online skill that scales with volume: multi-tabling. Once you can play one table calmly, learning how to add tables without losing decision quality can increase your reps and improve faster.
Continue with How Multi-Tabling Works In Online Poker.
