If you need to advance in your poker game play, you certainly need to gather and analyze your opponents hand history. One of the most well-known uses of this practice was when Isildur1 was analyzed by several opponents sharing hand histories, who subsequently devised a strategy to use against him.

The meaning of collecting and sharing hand histories

Generally, one has to comprehend the meaning of collecting and sharing hand histories. The collecting and sharing of hand histories is also known as data mining. Data mining is in two segments – Collecting and analysis of hand histories and Hand Sharing.

Collecting and Analyses of Hand Histories: Generally, it is the method of collecting information of several opponents hand histories including analysis of each player’s hand history making use of poker tools. With the use of poker programs, a player is able to observe the game play of each adversary on the table and the tools will reveal the inclinations of each player.

Hand Sharing: this is a method by which player are able to collect hand histories from a number of online card rooms and thereby convert them into formats suited for their own use. Hand sharing is also known as Hand Converting and players are able to show the hands played by various opponents to other players for the purpose of dialogue and analysis. Most online poker sites store players hand histories so as to enable players to keep track of their own effectiveness or for the purpose of debate and analysis.

Why do players actually share hand histories?

By collecting, sharing and analyzing hand histories a player is able to avoid tough games and select soft ones. Data mining improves your game play and a player is able to identify the rocky, passive, loose aggressive and tight aggressive players. With data mining, a player is able to recognize the fish and shark. Consequently, every online poker player is out there seeking for the weak and data mining is one powerful way of identifying where the fish is.

Players are able to track their game play and evaluate their playing pattern using poker software. With data mining, a player is able study where s/he did wrong throughout the game and in so doing correct his or her errors and this is one way of improving your game play. With the collecting and analysis of your opponents hand histories, you will be able to make certain realization about each adversary and this will also enable you to read your opponents mind during game play.

There are more and more poker software tools for such things.

There are several tools available online used for data mining. Although there is an upfront cost to such software programs, regular players will have no problem justifying such purchases, as they play practically every day. Poker tools such as poker tracker and other a number of data mining services such as Hand HQ, Poker Edge, SharkScope and many others are used for the collection and analysis of hand histories.

Why Poker Stars does not permit players to exchange and analyze hand histories through the use of poker software.

PokerStars accept players to make use of some of these poker applications and services to increase their winning chances during the game. Poker Stars is the one site that really has led the industry in security issues such as this.

One main reason is that the players collect a huge database of players profile and sell it to other players. A player who receives this detailed information gets an unfair advantage over these opponents and is able to manipulate each opponent according to how their previous hands have been played. Online poker is all about investing and if one obtains a loophole where s/he can make a great fortune is short time then this would be unfair to the rest of the players. Players who make use of data mining tools such as poker tracker are able to observe the loose players and avoid the tight players. As such, Poker Stars clearly states that such hand history sharing is a violation of their terms.

Poker Stars only accept players to make use of poker calculators simply tell you the starting hand recommendations and odds. Note: Not all poker rooms permit players to data mine. Consequently, players should verify their poker card room before deciding to make use of tools for the purpose of data mining.