What's in Your HUD with Derek Decamps

This week, I am pleased to interview friend and professional football player Derek “Decamps” Decamps. When not playing for his football team, the Angers SCO of the French L2 League, or watching his kids, he enjoys playing poker on PokerStars.

Decamps has amassed over $600,000 in online tournament cashes according to PocketFives, where he has been ranked as high as #413 in the world. We grilled him on his use of poker software and asked him what's in his HUD.

PokerSoftware: What poker software do you currently use and what are the main benefits you see from it?

Derek Decamps: I use Holdem Manager 1. The main benefit is that this software allows me to multi-table without giving away a certain value against my opponents that I believe I would not have without it. I have always used HM1. It has served my needs and I have not seen a reason to spend more money to upgrade to HM2.

PokerSoftware: Talk about your Heads-Up Display. What stats do you find most useful in your HUD? Which stats might be misleading?

Derek Decamps: I believe the stats I use are the most common: Hands Played, VPIP, PFR, and 3bet%. When I am in a hand, I look all of the other stats such as Aggression Factor, Fold to 3bet%, 4b Range, and C-Bet%. These stats are very important to look at from which position a certain player plays, as someone could be very active but never raise early position.

Those are the stats that could mislead you if you do not check them against how many hands have been played against them at the table. You could also have hands on someone that are not relevant anymore, as he has changed his game, plays different that day, or if its early or deep in a tournament.

PokerSoftware: Do you use HM1 for self-study and review?

Derek Decamps: No, I don’t, but that’s something I really should be doing. If poker were my main source of income, I would try to make time for this.

PokerSoftware: Have you played any mobile poker? How would you describe your experience?

Derek Decamps: Yes, I have played mobile poker on PokerStars with my iPad. I think it is a very good application, with the only issue being that I can’t mass multi-table. I really enjoy playing some sit and gos or a couple of multi-table tournaments on my iPad while being able to move around easily. Also, the setup is nice and easy to use.

PokerSoftware: When do you choose to use your iPad to play versus playing on your computer?

Derek Decamps: Mostly, I play on my iPad when I do not have much time or when I am watching my kids. When watching my kids, it is very useful because I am moving around and it’s not something I can easily do with my computer.

PokerSoftware: When playing on your iPad, do you feel you're at a disadvantage not having your Holdem Manager HUD?

Derek Decamps: I do not feel I'm at a disadvantage since I will only be one or two-tabling on my iPad. Therefore, I have my attention squarely on those tables. Software should be something that helps you in tough spots, but you can’t rely only on that.

PokerSoftware: Does not having poker software running on your computer make you feel like you're at a disadvantage?

Derek Decamps: I believe you are at a handicap without utilizing poker software. However, it depends on how you use it. I do not multi-table much, so I don’t feel that I have that much of a handicap. I’d say someone like Assassinato seems to manipulate his poker software really well and it comes with a lot of work on his part behind the scenes.

PokerSoftware: Have you used any poker training sites?

Derek Decamps: Yes, I have used PokerXFactor and watched some PocketFives Training videos as well. My experience was good and I believe I have learned some valuable stuff I would not have learned otherwise even though I did not watch all of the videos available. Some trainers also have videos better suited for you than others, so you just have to see which ones correspond most to your game and what you looking to learn and improve on.