Online Poker Data Mining - The Pro Opinion II

Following on from Card Player’s recent report about the data mining dilemma facing the online poker industry we decided to ask a selection of players their thoughts on what has become a very sensitive issue.

Each player was asked if they use online poker tracking tools and if they felt people should be allowed to data mine; is it good or bad for the game, does it change the game at all, and what was their opinion of sites taking action against it? This resulted in a surprisingly mixed reaction which you can read every day over the coming week.

Brandon Schaefer

Of course I use poker trackers and download hands. It’s part of the online game and you’re at a big disadvantage if you don’t use them. I definitely think people should be allowed to keep track of hands. There are many reasons but the main reason, in my opinion, is that it’s nearly impossible to stop people from doing it. Why have an unenforceable rule?

I guess it’s bad for the game because it makes the games tougher but you could say the same about poker books, training sites, etc. The point isn’t whether trackers are good or bad, the point is that they are a key part of the game, for better or worse, as much as tells or whatever are part of the live game.

I think sites taking action against data mining is ridiculous. It’s just part of what makes online poker different from live poker and I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.

Check out the opinion of French pro Arnaud Mattern.

Most Viewed Articles