Creating Heads-Up HUDs

In the world of online poker, the biggest resource you can use is your brain.  Debatably the next best resource you can employ is a Heads-Up Display (HUD) through the use of a hand history tracking program like PokerTracker or Holdem Manager.  Whether you play tournaments, sit and gos, or cash games, using an HUD is a vital resource and skill.

Recently, we interviewed CardRunners instructor JimmyLegs about heads-up games and how lucrative they can be if you have the wherewithal to go through the growing pains and swings they have to offer.  When asked about HUD stats, he said, “Certainly, having two separate VPIP stats (one from the button and one from the big blind) is absolutely essential.  Aggression factor by street, 3bet, Cbet, and Donkbet percentages are also very useful.”

Adapting that to a real world HUD setup, I have taken up heads-up games and chosen to put together an HUD that takes advantage of the large amount of real estate a heads-up table has.  That way, I don’t have to click on the HUD for pop-up stats and at the same time not overload my senses with a litany of numbers and colors.

Here’s a setup I’ve created based off of a few CardRunners videos I’ve seen and adapting JimmyLegs’ advice:

Name / Hands / VPIP (Overall) / PFR (Overall)
Big Blind VPIP / Big Blind PFR / Small Blinds VPIP / Small Blind PFR
Agg Flop / Agg Turn / Agg River
3bet / Fold to 3bet / 4bet / Fold to 4bet
Flop Cbet / Fold Flop Cbet / Turn Cbet / Fold Turn Cbet / River Cbet / Fold River Cbet
Flop Check Raise / Turn Check Raise / River Check Raise
Donk Bet Flop / Fold to Donk Bet / Donk Bet Turn

Now, that might look ridiculous and to many great players it is.  But, for a player just diving into cash games, this information is laid out in a way that doesn’t interfere with the action and covers most of the information I need to make decisions at a table.  Naturally, nothing will compensate for the feel of heads-up poker, but some stats do help and can be used as a frame of reference.  My HUD as stated above represents a “maximalist” approach.

On some training videos, not just at CardRunners, but also at LeggoPoker and other sites, a more minimalist approach to a HUD would contain something like:

Name / Hands / BB VPIP / BB PFR / SB VPIP / SB PFR
3B / F 3B / AF

That HUD would definitely assist in pre-flop efforts, as you would be able to see how an opponent plays from the big blind and the button (a.k.a. small blind in a heads-up game) as well as their 3bet patterns.  For post-flop stats, you could reference the HUD pop-up when you need the numbers.

The point is that if you are going to jump into the world of heads-up games, be it sit and gos or cash games, using an HUD adds an edge to your abilities at the table.  Getting the right mix of information without overdoing it is a fine line to walk, but after time and experience, it will be easier to gauge where you stand.