What's in Your HUD with Chris Hendry (rihannAAA)

PokerSoftware sat down today with U.K. poker grinder Chris Hendry while he was preparing for his weekend session. Chris used to 24-table cash games before focusing on multi-table tournaments.

PokerSoftware: What poker software are you currently using?

Chris Hendry: I have used PokerTracker, Table Ninja, and Holdem Manager 2.

PokerSoftware: Is there any reason you chose HM2 over sticking with PokerTracker?

Chris Hendry: The database is a smaller file size and I think the GUI is better. But, the database size was the main reason when I was researching which of the two tracking databases to purchase.

PokerSoftware: Tell us how you have your HM2 HUD set up line by line.

Chris Hendry: Line 1 - Total Hands
Line 2 – VPIP % / PFR % / FlopCbet % / Total 3bet %
Line 3 – Big Blinds / TournAdjBB

PokerSoftware: What sample size do you usually require before using your HUD to profile your opponents?

Chris Hendry: As I currently only play MTTs, I use Total Hands more to remind me if I've played against an opponent before or if they are new to the table.

However, I tend to individually profile opponents using online results tracking sites and color-coding the level of ability I think they have. That being said, I think after 80 to 100 hands in MTTs, you have profiled your nits and maniacs due to VPIP, so I would say around that many.

PokerSoftware: What poker tracking sites do you primarily utilize for profiling purposes?

Chris Hendry: I use Official Poker Rankings and Top Shark Pro. OPR is better than Top Shark for glancing at stats. Top Shark is better than OPR for properly looking into results.

PokerSoftware: What information are you typically looking for on the tracking sites?

Chris Hendry: A mixture of things, really: ITM %, average stake they play, are they cashing 20+ times per day every day (mass multi-tablers), do they have zero tracked cashes because they are new, and how many games per year they play. This helps to work out their pre-flop ranges more than most HUD stats, especially the weaker players.

PokerSoftware: Which version of Table Ninja are you using and how are you using the software?

Chris Hendry: I own the original version of Table Ninja for PokerStars. However, I no longer frequently use the software. It was extremely helpful when I was 24-tabling six-max CAP cash games. I used it for snapping tables in and out and for standard pre-flop raising from the button to steal the blinds, for folding and flat calling, and for going all-in. I bet much more table-specific in MTTs and tile tables, so super fast decisions aren't as necessary as 24-tabling stacked tables.

PokerSoftware: Have you tried out mobile poker?

Chris Hendry: I have played on my iPad and iPhone on PokerStars.

PokerSoftware: What are your thoughts on playing on a smaller device? Do you miss your HUD when playing mobile poker?
 
Chris Hendry: Yes. This is the main reason I hardly ever play on my iPad or iPhone anymore. For day-to-day use, it has many setbacks like missing the HUD and basic features such as finding a player. I will play on my phone in an emergency, but haven't used my iPad since multi-tabling online and live at the same time at a UKIPT side event.

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