What's in Your HUD with Kyle Maguire (squire1888)

We sat down with Scotland's Kyle "squire1888" Maguire to get his thoughts about poker software.  Macguire can be currently found at #754 in the PocketFives Rankings with over $500,000 in career online tournament cashes.
 
PokerSoftware:  What poker software do you use while playing or after playing?

Kyle Maguire:  I use PokerTracker 4 while I am playing and also have a subscription to Sharkscope.
 
PokerSoftware:  How is your HUD set up line by line and what is your favorite stat?
 
Kyle Maguire:  VPIP % / PFR % / 3-Bet % / Number of Hands
Player Name / C-bet % / Fold to C-bet % / Fold to Steal % / # of Big Blinds
 
Number of big blinds is my favorite stat, especially when multi-tabling. With this stat, I no longer need to manually calculate true stack sizes compared to the blind levels.  This stat enables me to scan around the table to see each of my opponent's stacks without my two brain neurons becoming overly exerted.
 
PokerSoftware:  How do you feel a HUD helps your game?
 
Kyle Maguire: I was pretty take-it-or-leave-it about HUDs.  In the past, I used Hold'em Manager 2 for a while.  I probably used it wrong and got annoyed with it.  Poker players expect to get a HUD and then just crush every tournament.  It is not like that at all.  When I stopped using my HUD, I actually had my best ever month in tournaments, but since then, I have spent time learning how to use a HUD and which information is beneficial.
 
I believe that I am on course for having a few very good months.  I now feel extra information in poker is one of the keys to success.  We should base our decisions on what we think our opponent's range is on any given street.  In the past, I would see an opponent having a high PFR % and then ripped ragged aces and other junk over-the-top thinking he never has it.  I would then getting annoyed when they did show up with the goods.
 
PokerSoftware: How else can a HUD hurt your game if not properly used?
 
Kyle Maguire:  I feel in general a HUD can hurt your game if you are sticking only to the numbers.  For example, just because an opponent has a big 3-bet % doesn't mean you should cold 4-bet him with any two cards every time he 3-bets.  So, if you are going to use the information in your HUD to help make decisions, make sure you know the reasons you are doing things in-game.  Do not overreact to your HUD information and automatically tell yourself without thinking too much, "He has a high open %, I'm all-in."
 
PokerSoftware:  When do you use SharkScope?  How does this information help you when playing?
 
Kyle Maguire:  I use Sharkscope religiously.  At the start of every session, I open one web browsing window for each client.  Typically, I will have one web browser open for each site, with each page filtered for MTTs along with extra filters for early finish % and late finish %.

I strongly feel that looking at Sharkscope in this manner can tell me a lot about any particular player.  For example, it is easy to see if an opponent smashes volume, plays recreationally, and is a winning or losing player.  This information alone can help with an early decision.  For example, if an opponent busts out of many tournaments very early, you know he likes to punt and may not have the nuts or represent strength when he bets in opening levels.
 
PokerSoftware:  Do you recommend that all players use training sites?  How does this compare with personalized coaching?
 
Kyle Maguire:  I think personal coaching beats videos so far out of the park they are not even comparable.  That being said, there is still value to watching training videos.  I watch some videos of regs who I think are good at poker and crush tournaments.  I enjoyed watching Grayson "the_dean221" Nichols, Jon "Apestyles" van Fleet, and "Assassinato" at the old PocketFives Training.

There are tons of great videos there for people to learn from, especially for HUD beginners; however, one-on-one coaching has helped me the most.  The last few months, I have been receiving coaching from Andres "andressoprano" Pereyra and some group sessions.  The reason I feel this method of learning is better is that I can ask questions and talk more about spots in my own game.

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