Poker Software Revealed with Japan's Anthony Wood (Donkwood)

We sat down with Japan's Anthony "Donkwood" Wood to get a recreational poker player's perspective on poker software.  Donkwood is very active in the PocketFives poker forums, especially the Off Topic forum.
 
PokerSoftware:  What are your thoughts about poker software and what do you own?
 
Donkwood:  I have always played without a HUD or other poker-related software, but after watching some training videos this year, I decided that I really needed to invest in one.  I am now currently using Holdem Manager 2 and own Flopzilla as well, but haven't gotten around to using it yet.
 
It was good timing too because I saw a promotion on PocketFives where they offered HM2 for free if you deposited $30 on 888 Poker and played a session.  I was thinking of playing on 888 anyway just to try out a new site, so it worked out perfectly. Big thanks to PocketFives for their awesome promos. This was the first one I was able to take advantage of.
 
PokerSoftware:  What are the biggest advantages you feel Holdem Manager 2 provides?
 
Donkwood:  Off the bat, definitely keeping track of my own and my opponents' big blinds and "M."  I currently have my HUD set to also show VPIP, c-bets, Flop and Post-Flop Aggression, and a few other stats that I'm glad I do not have to stop and think about because HM2 automatically displays them for me.
 
PokerSoftware:  Have you been using the automated note-taker NoteCaddy while playing or another method for note-taking?
 
Donkwood:  I have not been using NoteCaddy since I am so used to taking notes within the PokerStars client and assigning colors based on an opponent playing like a donkey, rock, TAG, LAG, etc.  The feature built into PokerStars is so much easier for me to use.
 
PokerSoftware:  How do you like the PokerStars coloring system and when do you decide to tag a player?
 
Donkwood:  I take my note-taking seriously.  I decide to tag players at every table I sit at.  I'll watch a few orbits and make simple notes initially.  Then, after watching their play, I'll make more detailed notes.
 
PokerSoftware:  Do you ever use a tracking site like Official Poker Rankings or Sharkscope?
 
Donkwood:  I use OPR all the time.  Most players on PokerStars I look up, though, have opted out of showing profit.  So, you can only see their biggest scores plus when they hit, which is still useful.
 
PokerSoftware:  When do you decide to look up players on OPR?
 
Donkwood:  In every tournament and when I get moved.  I'll look on PocketFives as well since a pro I know by name on one site could be someone totally different on another site.  I like seeing other people's biggest scores and how long ago they were.
 
PokerSoftware:  How does having this information at your disposal help you at the tables?
 
Donkwood:  This information really helps weed out the players who will call a shove for 40+ big blinds with a non-nut hand.  For example, a situation when two clubs appear on the flop and this type of opponent has K-4 of clubs and I have pocket aces.  This information helps me make him pay more to see a turn or river.
 
PokerSoftware:  Have you tried playing mobile poker?
 
Donkwood:  I tried playing PokerStars on my iPad and didn't like it.  I have not tried to play poker on my phone.
 
PokerSoftware:  Why didn't you like it?
 
Donkwood:  It had nothing to do with PokerStars, as I am sure they have a good app, but the screen was too small, which made it hard to stay focused.

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