HUD Free Poker Sites: Where to Play Without HUD

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  4.2

  #1

  4.2

  WPT Global

  Independent

  

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  100% up to $3,000

  

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  WPDEALS

  

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• 

  4.4

  #2

  4.4

  Phenom Poker

  Independent

  

  Bonus

  150% up to $3,000

  

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  up to 35%

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  WPD

  

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  4.4

  #3

  4.4

  4Poker

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  Bonus

  400% up to $1,000

  

  Rakeback

  Up to 50%

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• 

  4.8

  #4

  4.8

  GGPoker

  GG Network

  

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  up to 60%

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  WPDEALS

  

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• 

  4.1

  #5

  4.1

  Stake Poker

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  WPDEALS

  

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Poker rooms vs HUDs

For those switching from live to online games, a poker HUD is a kinda uncanny tool. Several numbers popping up right in the middle of the screen can even be considered a distracting factor. However, online pros are more than used to this, and it can be called a vital tool for heavy grinding.

Many companies have developed Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) for online poker like PokerTracker. Not many years ago, such a tool was considered standard. Almost all sites allowed it (only a few precursors like Bodog Poker banned third-party software from the beginning), but after GGPoker was born, the industry was shocked, and the "ecology" fight started. Real-time statistics turned from a powerful tool to be the enemy.

HUD free online poker sites are the "new black," and many sites have decided to ban it, including old-school rooms like partypoker, while some others have decided to replace third-party software with in-app tools. Which one is better, a site allowing Heads-Up Displays or one banning all third-party tools? It's absolutely possible to play online poker without real-time statistics; however, it's essential to play on a leveled playing field. Hence, if the poker room allows this tool, you should use it to avoid disadvantages. 

We take no part in this controversy; we only invite the poker community to follow the rules of each site. However, it's crucial to know where you are standing to avoid losing any edge.

GGPoker

Although GGPoker was not the first (nor the second one, for what it's worth) poker room banning Heads up display, it's perhaps the biggest one taking this step. GG Network customized its software for recreational online poker players from day one and announced its "Security and Ecology Agreement." Such a document not only ban HUDs but all third-party software and punishes "bad regs" for bumhunt and table select.

The "casual-friendly" model has proved successful, as GGPoker is currently clashing with PokerStars for the TOP1 of the world traffic. The developers have tried to add in-app tools like SmartHUD, which are basic (they feature only a few stats live VPIP, pfr) to please both amateurs and pros.

WPT Global

WPT Global was launched in 2022 with the support of the World Poker Tour brand and was able to quickly enter the world's TOP-3 in terms of the number of games. To maintain the poker ecology in the poker room the following measures are implemented:

• It is prohibited to use any third-party poker software, including trackers.
• Artificial intelligence automatically limits the number of regulars at the table. Such players do not see incomplete tables in the lobby, where only amateurs can sit.
• Players who make profit receive less rakeback.
• Multi-tabling is limited to 4 tables.

In WPT Global, the game is played at hundreds of tables. Most of the traffic comes from 8-max Hold'em tables with limits NL10-1.5K$. Dozens of MTTs with guarantees of up to $100,000 are held in the poker room every day. In Global Spins with buy-ins up to $100, you can win up to $600,000.

Phenom Poker

Phenom Poker is a modern online cryptocurrency poker platform backed by globally recognized professionals. Its payment model, rakeback program, and software revolutionize the poker world with blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

Although its traffic remains low, it is committed to innovating with great promotions and exotic games in a secure environment.

List of poker rooms that ban HUDs

Above we mentioned only four poker rooms that ban HUDs, but, of course, more sites have chosen the same path. Please check out the following table*

*Please note that some sites don't ban real-time statistics but don't provide hand histories either, and converters are not available; hence, the result is almost the same, and we include those in the list.

Why online poker sites ban HUD and tracking software

Making friendlier environments for casual players has become a priority in modern online poker, and among many "enemies," real-time statistics is a top priority. Poker pros use statistical analysis to exploit leaks such as continuously folding to 3-bets, not defending big blinds, etc. 

There are other reasons why rooms ban tracking software and hand histories:

1. Avoid data mining.
2. Have more control over the environment to "hunt down" cheaters.
3. Promote or sell its own tools (in-app HUDs, for example).

But, in short, poker sites prohibit HUDs to make their sites more comfortable for amateurs.

Is using a HUD software cheating?

Not perse. If a poker room allows using HUDs in the terms and conditions, it cannot be considered cheating; however, bypassing this rule is clearly illegal. Let's recall that a HUD shows only statistical data; it doesn't advise how to play. You'll need to study to understand such numbers. 

Nevertheless, not using a HUD in a site allowing you to use it is putting you at a significant disadvantage as many other players will surely use your real-time statistics to exploit your leaks.

How to play online poker without HUD?

With major operators introducing restrictions to third-party tracking tools and HUDs, grinders have only one option: to abandon such sites and play only at HUD-friendly rooms, or to adapt their games to survive without a Heads-Up Display:

• All players have the same restriction; hence, studying preflop starting hands and pot odd charts and correctly using players' notes (where available) will recover some advantage.
• Tools for offline studying like (ranges calculator, GTO trainers) become more important as those will train your mind to make fast decisions.
• Tells: although many ignore these signals across online poker rooms in 2021, the reality is that newcomers can still be tagged for taking a long time to make a decision, using bet sizing or bet patterns.

HUD or no HUD? Pros and cons

We already know why poker rooms ban HUDs. Now let's look at it from a players' perspective, and let's identify the pros and cons of playing without statistics:

Overall the main con is not using a HUD where it is allowed because those using it will have an advantage over you. In our opinion, cash games poker players will suffer more without a HUD compared to those playing tournaments.

Summary

Online poker HUDs won't die. Even after many sites decided to ban such tools, from the TOP10 over 50% of the rooms are still HUD-friendly. However, we recommend our grinders to evolve their game to be less HUD-dependant: if available, then use it. If not available, then keep playing.

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