Data Mine Poker Hands with IdleMiner

The IdleMiner line of products automates the process of collecting hand history files from online poker sites.  Essentially, the data mining program automatically data mines a site from your local computer when you decide to step away.  Each version of IdleMiner comes with a screensaver that, when initiated, will start the data mining process.  The hand histories can then be imported into any of your favorite hand history tracking programs.

The hand histories that IdleMiner will generate are much the same that can be bought from many of the websites that sell them.  Each file can easily be imported into a hand history tracking utility like PokerTracker and Holdem Manager.  Getting these hand histories and using tracking programs can help you understand tendencies of the best players you take hands from so that you can improve your game.

IdleMiner currently works with the following websites: the iPoker Network, 888, Everest Poker, Bodog, Absolute Poker, the Ongame Network, PartyPoker, and Full Tilt Poker.  The cost ranges from $49.99 to $54.99 and, once purchased, they are immediately available for download.  Payments are accepted through PayPal or Google Checkout, which accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.  Alternatively, you can visit our Free Software section, which gives you the opportunity to get IdleMiner absolutely free.

IdleMiner will work on any Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computer and requires 256 MB of RAM or more.  Once installed, the core program will take up only 20 MB of disk space, but be warned that if you mine a ton of hands, it will take up significantly more space.  IdleMiner may not run through a Windows emulator, so Mac users are highly encouraged to use the free trial before purchasing the program.

The trial edition of IdleMiner is available to all and will run with full access until it has saved 1,000 hands.  After that milestone is reached, you must purchase a license.  Each purchase of IdleMiner allows you to install the program on up to two computers.  This way, you can install the program on your main computer and a laptop or secondary machine.  Each license of IdleMiner allows you to data mine unlimited hands and receive updates.

To get IdleMiner up and running, you’ll have to download and install the program.  After that step is completed, go to the IdleMiner main screen.  From there, click on the site menu and select which one you want IdleMiner to open.  By clicking on the “Game” menu, you can select which type of game you want to mine, such as Hold’em, Omaha, or Seven-Card Stud.

Within the “Options” menu, you can customize various options within the program.  You can choose to start PokerTracker once IdleMiner starts so that it will automate the import process.  You can also set the program to position windows in an orderly fashion.  There’s an option for “Quick Close After Screensaver,” which will close IdleMiner and PokerTracker immediately once you come out of screensaver mode.  You can also ignore “Monster Tables” (applies to PartyPoker) and Speed Tournaments.  Finally, there’s an option to stop IdleMiner from opening and closing tables in “Manual Operation Mode” so that you can data mine observed hands while playing.

In the “Datamining Settings,” you can set the total number of tables you want to mine, with a maximum of 12.  You can also set the “Output Path” so that you can customize where the mined hand history files will be saved.  Finally, there’s the “IdleMiner Screensaver” area, which allows you to set up IdleMiner to initiate the data mining process every time your computer goes into screensaver mode.

Note that IdleMiner and other data mining programs may not be allowed under the Terms and Conditions of major online poker sites.