Third Party Software Subject Of Great Debate In Online Poker Community

Poker News - November 30th, 2009 - Written by Glen

Land based poker and USA Online Poker rooms carry many differences, but one thing players can all agree on is that third party software integrated into online poker has changed the face of the game.

When watching poker on television, be it the World Series of Poker or Poker After Dark and everything in between, spectators have the benefit of seeing the change a player has to win a pot in an easy to read percentage form. Had the players been able to see this percentage, they would have a strict advantage over the rest of the field. In today's world of computing, this has become a possibility through programs such as Texas Calculatum and Sharkscope.

Hundreds of programs exist that can read the cards in a player's pocket and the cards on the table, thus giving players a numerical chance of victory, determined by a percentage. Granted these programs cannot read the cards the other players hold, they give the user an idea of the overall odds of hitting the cards they need to win. Many poker sites have taken a firm stance against these programs, but many others still exist that are legal to be used.

Part of poker is playing the numbers. Remembering and knowing the exact odds of a certain occurrence, be it a pocket pair preflop or the chance of a gut shot flush, is relatively impossible. Though players could have a good idea about how likely something is to happen at a live table, these programs have enabled users to become a poker player on par with professionals with out even knowing the game. Some will even go as far as to say when to fold, when to bet, and when to call.

"I don't use these programs but I find it deplorable that others do," began a player from UltimateBet poker, who wished to remain anonymous. "I understand having an edge over the competition, but is the use of a third party program really necessary?"

Some players hate them, while other players thrive with them. The question remains, however, are these programs breaking the rules?

Some of the legal online poker rooms, such as PokerStars, have gone as far as to release a list of prohibited software and allowed software. Players found using prohibited software will have their funds confiscated and be subsequently banned from the poker room. Other software is legitimate, though the legality of the software may change day by day. Sharkscope was one of the most popular pieces of third party software to be used through PokerStars and has recently been banned.

Regardless of play style, these odds calculators will not make up for luck or for skill, thus proving once again that the best players will always stay on top - regardless of the use of a tool.