What's in Your HUD with New Jersey Poker Player Dennis Lopez (Dlorican)

We sat down with Dennis "Dlorican" Lopez to talk about his thoughts on poker software on the New Jersey regulated sites.  When Lopez is not working at his day job or playing poker, he is a writer for PocketFives.com about New Jersey poker and can be found posting on the community's New Jersey page every day.

PokerSoftware:  What poker software are you currently using and on which sites?

Dennis Lopez:  I currently use Holdem Manager 2 on the New Jersey regulated sites Borgata Poker, WSOP.com, and 888.

PokerSoftware:  How has your game changed since you started using Holdem Manager?

Dennis Lopez:  Overall, since using HUDs for online poker, my game has improved. I also have been using HUDs since before Black Friday when playing on PokerStars and Full Tilt. I used PokerSpy for PC and Poker Copilot for Mac before Black Friday, but HM2 takes it to a whole new level.

PokerSoftware:  How is your HUD set up line by line?

Dennis Lopez: I keep my HUD setup simple. In order, I have it set up by BB, total VPIP, total PFR, total 3bet, total fold to 3bet, total steal, post-flop aggression, and total hands. I also have it set up where if I put my mouse over the BB number, it gives me a simple rundown of those stats in a separate pop-up window. I also color-code each stat by a specific range so it pops out to me.

PokerSoftware:  What are the most important stats in your HUD?

Dennis Lopez: I pay attention to VPIP, PFR, 3bet, and fold to 3bet. Those give me a general idea of how my opponent plays pre-flop. But, it all depends on the number of hands I have on that opponent. A small sample size I don't pay too much attention to.

PokerSoftware:  Do you think HUDs are good for the game?

Dennis Lopez: I think they are good tools for those who want to improve their game. I use it a lot away from the virtual felt by going into the replayer and reviewing past MTTs to see how I could have approached certain situations differently. Also, when reviewing your hand histories, the stats for your opponents appear as well, so you can get an idea of the lines your opponents take in certain situations. So, when you run into them again in a tournament, you can take notes on them and be aware.

It also comes in handy for players who multi-table during a session. I can have anywhere from six to eight tables going at once. So, it's hard to get reads on opponents and/or keep track of their tendencies. When faced with a tough decision, a HUD somewhat helps you make a better decision.

PokerSoftware:  What do you think about sites like PocketFives tracking stats?  Is that good for casual players as well as hardcore players?

Dennis Lopez:  I think casual players are probably not aware of websites that track stats and might not care for it. But, I think it is good for the game because not only does it drive up competition as far as rankings go, but also if you are the kind of player who keeps track of your winnings, losses, and ROI like I do, you can reference these websites to help keep good records.

PokerSoftware:  Do you play poker on a phone or tablet? How does the mobile poker experience compare?

Dennis Lopez: I usually play on my iPhone to kill time or if I have an itch to play, but don't want to load up several MTTs. I normally play cash games on my iPhone on 888 Poker and Borgata Poker. I've played a couple of MTTs on WSOP.com on my iPhone too.

Since I cannot multi-table on my phone, my attention to detail during game play is geared toward just that one game. So, I don't really need to rely on HUD stats to get some kind of read on a player. I do experience a slight lag when playing on my phone, so I don't do it often.

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