What Is a HUD in Poker Game: Everything You Need to Know

In many ways, online poker differs significantly from traditional poker. One of the most notable differences lies in the ability to collect and use real-time data about opponents, a key element that tracking software and HUDs bring to the poker game table.

While some poker sites have moved to restrict third-party trackers in the name of fairness, others now offer built-in tools that display key statistics directly on the screen. If you’d like to explore such sites, at somagyarkaszino.com you’ll find the best options.

These features are especially useful for players who want to gain a deeper understanding of their opponents' habits and tendencies. For anyone taking the game seriously, mastering these tools is essential.

If you're just getting started with poker for beginners game setups or are unsure what these tools actually do, you're not alone. Poker terminology, especially around tracking software, can be overwhelming at first. However, by learning just a few core stats, you can immediately improve your decision-making at the tables.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most commonly used statistics in a poker game, explain how to interpret them, and how to use this knowledge to adjust your strategy. This guide is not like one of the best poker books, but it will be enough to boost your knowledge and get you started.

What Is a HUD in Poker?

In the world of poker live, HUD stands for Heads-Up Display, a digital overlay that provides real-time data about your opponents. Originally developed as third-party tools, poker HUDs have become widely used by serious players to gain an informational edge at the tables.

A HUD pulls data from previously played hands and presents key online poker player stats like VPIP (how often a player voluntarily puts chips into the pot), PFR (pre-flop raise frequency), 3-bet percentage, aggression factor, and more. These numbers help identify playing styles quickly, letting you adapt faster than you ever could in a live poker online environment.

Although HUDs were once standard tools in the grinder’s arsenal, many poker platforms are now limiting or disabling their use to level the playing field. Some sites, however, offer built-in alternatives that still display basic stats.

The Most Relevant Poker Stats

Not all statistics are created equal. While modern HUDs can display dozens of numbers, only a handful of poker stats truly impact your strategy at the tables. Whether you're adjusting to a loose-aggressive opponent or deciding when to fold marginal hands, the right data helps you act with purpose.

In this section, we’ll cover the most relevant stats to track, those that reveal patterns, expose leaks, and ultimately help improve your decisions and climb the poker ranks.

VPIP

One of the most essential pieces of poker terminology you'll encounter when using a HUD is VPIP, short for Voluntarily Put (Money) Into Pot. This stat tells you how often a player chooses to get involved in a hand pre-flop, by limping, calling, or raising.

Formula: VPIP = (Voluntary hands entered) / (Total hands played) × 100%

“Voluntary” means any call or raise, excluding forced blinds or checks in the big blind. So if a player enters 30 out of 100 hands, their poker stat VPIP is 30%.

In live online poker, where decisions are fast-paced, VPIP offers instant insight into a player’s style. A VPIP around 25% in 6-max is considered balanced. Too high, like 45%, and you're likely facing a loose player who calls too much. Too low, say, 12%, and you’re up against a tight, cautious "nit."

When combined with other stats like PFR and aggression factor, VPIP helps paint a clear picture of how your opponents think, and how you should respond.

PFR

PFR, or Pre-Flop Raise, is another key figure displayed on your poker HUD, often sitting right next to VPIP. It shows how often a player raises or re-raises before the flop, giving you direct insight into their preflop aggression level.

Formula: PFR = (Number of hands with a raise or re-raise preflop) / (Total hands played) × 100%

It counts open raises, 3-bets, 4-bets, and isolation raises, but not limps or calls. So if someone raises 15 out of 100 hands, their PFR is 15%.

This stat is critical in separating the assertive players from the passive ones. In a 6-max game, a VPIP of 25% paired with a PFR around 18% is typically solid. If the gap between the two is too wide, it's a red flag.

For example, a player with 25 VPIP but only 8 PFR is likely just calling their way into pots, a classic calling station. Knowing these online poker stats helps you exploit such tendencies with precision.

AF

Aggression Factor (AF) is one of the most telling stats you’ll find on any poker helper or HUD. While VPIP and PFR focus on preflop behavior, AF goes deeper, it measures how aggressive a player is after the flop, across all streets.

Formula: AF = (Number of bets + raises) / (Number of calls)

Checks don’t count. A check-raise is a raise; a check-call is a call. Folded hands aren’t included. So if a player makes 60 aggressive actions (bets and raises) and 30 calls, their AF is 2.0.

Typical AF ranges:

• Below 1.0: passive player
• 1.0-2.0: balanced aggression
• 2.0+: highly aggressive

An AF around 3 is considered standard in today’s games. If someone’s number is way higher, they might be bluff-happy, common in poker heads up battles. On the flip side, a low-AF player is usually not betting enough for value, giving you room to steal pots and apply pressure.

ATS

Attempt to Steal (ATS) is a focused metric used to measure how often a player tries to steal the blinds from late position. It’s a favorite stat among tournament grinders and an essential part of any solid HUD poker setup.

Formula: ATS = (Number of steal attempts) / (Number of steal opportunities) × 100%

For a steal to count, a player must raise, not limp, from the cutoff (CO), button (BTN), or small blind (SB), with all players before them folding. Limping or completing the SB doesn’t qualify.

If a player raises 15 out of 50 such chances, their ATS is 30%.

Compared to PFR, ATS is position-specific and typically higher. Strong players often show 30%+ in full-ring, and up to 35% in 6-max formats. In terms of tracking poker effectively, few stats are more telling.

When facing a raise from a late position, checking your opponent’s ATS helps determine if you're being pushed around or facing real strength. As far as poker statistics steal goes, this one can turn blind defense from guesswork into strategy.

Fold to Steal

Fold to Steal is a defensive stat that shows how often a player folds their blinds when facing a raise from the cutoff, button, or small blind. It’s a valuable number when you’re looking to steal chips effectively in tournament play.

A Fold to Steal percentage around 60% is considered balanced, tight enough to avoid bleeding chips, but not so loose that it invites aggression.

However, experienced players adjust their defense based on raise size. They'll often defend wider against min-raises and fold more to larger opens, so context matters when evaluating this stat.

If someone’s Fold to Steal is around 80%, you’re looking at a prime target, they’re likely folding too often. On the other hand, a stat around 35% means they’re defending aggressively and won’t let you steal easily.

3-Bet %

3-Bet % refers to how often a player re-raises before the flop after an initial raise. It’s a vital part of modern poker strategy, especially in aggressive formats like 6-max or tournament play.

Most solid players maintain a 3-bet percentage between 5% and 10%, adjusting based on position, stack size, and opponent tendencies. A stat above 12-15% usually signals a very wide range.

Such players can often be countered with selective 4-bet bluffs or by calling lighter. On the other hand, a very low 3-bet % suggests a tight range, usually strong hands only.

Fold to 3-Bet

Fold to 3-Bet is a crucial stat that reveals how players react when facing a re-raise before the flop. Many in the world poker scene grasp opening ranges well, but freeze up when 3-bet pressure hits.

If an opponent consistently folds to 3-bets 70% of the time or more, you’ve found a profitable spot. These players are giving up too often, and you can exploit that with frequent 3-bets, even with marginal hands, collecting easy chips without seeing a flop.

In contrast, players with a low Fold to 3-Bet (under 40%) won’t go away easily. Against them, you should tighten up, using mostly strong hands and reducing your bluff frequency. This is especially true in heads up poker, where ranges are wider and adjustments must be sharp.

A balanced Fold to 3-Bet sits around 50%. Deviations from that number often indicate exploitable tendencies, whether passive or overly stubborn.

WTSD%

WTSD% (Went to Showdown Percentage) shows how often a player goes to showdown after seeing the flop. It’s a powerful stat for identifying who’s sticky, and who’s folding before the river.

A balanced WTSD% is around 30%. That means the player chooses their spots wisely and doesn’t chase every hand to the end. But when this number starts creeping into the 40s or higher, you're looking at someone who simply doesn’t let go.

Against these players, bluffing becomes risky, they’ll often call down with second pair or worse. Instead, adjust by value betting more aggressively, especially on the river.

On the flip side, a very low WTSD% means the player is folding too much post-flop. That’s your green light to apply pressure and bluff more often.

Understanding WTSD% in combination with aggression stats gives you a deeper read, and can turn marginal spots into profitable decisions.

Flop C-Bet

Flop C-Bet shows how often a player makes a continuation bet on the flop after raising preflop. A percentage around 70% is standard for solid players, reflecting balanced aggression.

If someone has a very low C-Bet stat, say, under 50%, they’re likely only betting when they hit. You can fold more confidently against their bets.

Conversely, a high C-Bet rate (80% or more) signals an automatic bettor. Against these players, you can float lighter, bluff-raise more often, and apply pressure on later streets to exploit their frequency.

Fold to C-Bet

Fold to C-Bet tells you how often a player gives up to a continuation bet on the flop after calling preflop. It’s a practical stat that helps you decide when a simple C-bet is likely to take down the pot.

Most competent players fold to C-bets around 60% of the time. Go much higher than that, and you’re likely facing a player who gives up too easily, prime for pressure. Against them, you can increase your bluff frequency and bet smaller to maximize efficiency.

On the other hand, if someone rarely folds to C-bets, say, under 30%, your best move is to tighten your range and bet for value only.

Having this stat on your HUD lets you adjust your game dynamically, turning missed flops into profitable bluffs, or saving chips against calling stations who won’t let go without a fight.

What is a Poker Tracker?

A poker tracker is a tool designed to help players analyze and improve their game by tracking poker hands in real time. Whether you're grinding tournaments or playing cash games, a tracker automatically logs key data, such as win rates, hand histories, session lengths, and opponent tendencies.

Popular options like PokerTracker 4 and Holdem Manager 3 are widely considered among the best poker software available. They integrate seamlessly with most online platforms and display real-time stats through a customizable HUD. For live play, some apps let you input hands manually, making it possible to track your progress away from the screen as well.

Using a tracker isn't just for professionals, any player serious about improvement will benefit. If you’re planning to try such trackers, at the best online poker sites in Hungary you can use them. The software highlights trends in your own play, identifies leaks, and shows you how different opponents behave over time.

You’ll be able to spot how often you're winning with specific hands, how aggressive you are post-flop, and how opponents respond to pressure. This kind of insight is what separates casual players from long-term winners.

How to use Poker Trackers

Using a poker tracker starts with linking the software to your online poker account and allowing it to access your hand histories. Most modern tools do this automatically, requiring minimal setup.

Once connected, the tracker collects data as you play. You can then analyze it through results graphs, hand filters, and breakdowns by position, opponent type, or game format.

This lets you review your sessions with clarity, spotting patterns in your play and your opponents’. Over time, this objective data becomes essential for adjusting strategy, fixing leaks, and refining decision-making across every part of your game.

What is the Best Poker Tracker Tool?

If you’re serious about tracking poker performance, choosing the right tool can make all the difference. Each poker tracker comes with its strengths, and your choice often depends on your goals, experience level, and what poker sites you play on. Here are four of the best poker software options available today:

1. PokerTracker 4: Still widely regarded as the gold standard, PokerTracker 4 combines deep data analysis with a clean, customizable interface. It allows for in-depth filtering, HUD configuration, and opponent profiling. You can view long-term trends, dig into hand replays, and create custom reports that suit your playing style. It supports Texas Hold’em and Omaha, making it a complete choice for most players.
2. Holdem Manager 3: HM3 is PokerTracker’s closest rival, and for good reason. Its streamlined design, real-time stats, and session tracking are particularly friendly for players who want insights without spending hours tweaking settings. The HUD setup is intuitive, and the built-in analysis tools help break down your win rates, positions, and leak areas with ease. It's ideal for players who value speed and simplicity alongside reliability.
3. DriveHUD: DriveHUD takes a slightly different approach with a more visual and beginner-friendly interface. Beyond standard tracking, it features graphical hand replays, player profiles, and heat maps. Its strengths lie in clarity and accessibility, great for players looking to level up without getting lost in spreadsheets. It also supports third-party integrations and covers most major online poker rooms.
4. Hand2Note: If customization is your priority, Hand2Note offers unmatched flexibility. Known for its fast processing and dynamic HUDs, it tailors stats based on specific in-game situations. The software is highly efficient and built for experienced players who want to fine-tune every part of their analysis. It’s not the easiest tool to master, but in the right hands, it’s extremely powerful.

What are some dangers of using a HUD?

A Heads-Up Display (HUD) is a powerful tool in online poker, helping players make sharper decisions based on poker hands tracked across hundreds, or thousands, of sessions. But while HUDs are a staple of serious grinders, they come with real pitfalls. Used poorly, they can hurt your win rate more than help it.

Let’s walk through some of the most common mistakes players make with HUDs, and how to avoid them.

Trusting the Numbers Without Enough Data

One of the biggest mistakes is acting on statistics that aren’t statistically reliable. Many newer players look at a percentage, say, Fold to 3-Bet or Flop C-Bet, and make a decision based on just a few hands.

But poker rules are grounded in patterns, not snapshots. Preflop stats like VPIP or PFR begin to stabilize after 100-200 hands. But postflop stats, like Turn Aggression or River Check-Raise, may need 5,000+ hands to offer real insight.

Let’s say a player’s HUD shows a 100% Fold to Flop C-Bet. That might tempt you to bluff every flop. But if they’ve only faced two c-bets, you’re playing on a coin flip of information, not real data. That’s a mistake that’ll cost you in the long run.

Ignoring Board Texture

HUD stats like Fold to Flop C-Bet don't operate in a vacuum. Just because a player folds 60% of the time doesn’t mean they’ll fold 60% of the time on every board.

Let’s compare two boards:

• Board 1: 8♥ 7♥ 2♦
• Board 2: A♦ J♥ 6♣

On Board 1, your opponent has potential draws, middle pairs, and even slow-played strong hands in their range. On Board 2, most of their continuing hands have missed. So even if their Fold to C-Bet is 60%, they’re more likely to fold on Board 2 than Board 1.

Reading stats without considering board texture is like reading poker rules but not learning how they apply in real gameplay. It’s not just what the numbers say, it’s what the hand says about those numbers.

Getting Lost in Too Many Stats

Another common trap is overloading your HUD with too much information. Yes, it’s tempting to track everything, but that doesn’t mean you should.

Beginner players should stick to core poker hands stats like VPIP, PFR, 3-Bet %, and Fold to C-Bet. That’s enough to form a solid read without paralyzing yourself with data. As your experience grows, so can your stat set.

Trying to juggle 20+ stats while multi-tabling? That’s a recipe for bad calls, missed reads, and frustration.

Letting the HUD Replace Your Focus

Perhaps the most dangerous trap: relying on a HUD to do the thinking for you. A HUD is a poker helper, not a substitute for observation or logic. It’s meant to supplement your decisions, not make them.

If you stop paying attention to bet sizing, timing, and dynamics because “the stat says fold,” you’re giving up one of poker’s biggest edges: live decision-making.

That’s why some players prefer poker sites without HUDs or specifically seek out HUD free poker sites. They believe it keeps the game more honest, and forces you to think through your actions rather than defaulting to autopilot.

Even if you’re not playing poker live, your focus should be. Because even the best HUD can’t replace human awareness.