What's in Your HUD with Mike Howard (Katiemikexxx)

We sat down with UK professional poker player Mike "Katiemikexxx" Howard to get his thoughts on poker software.  Katiemikexxx is currently ranked #608 on PocketFives, where he goes by "u shove i call".

PokerSoftware:  What poker software do you use while playing or after play?
 
Katiemikexxx:  I use Hold'em Manager 2, Table Ninja 2, PokerStrategy.com Equilab for equity calculations, and Sharkscope to review my own games to see what I am winning or losing in.
 
PokerSoftware:  How complex is your HUD?  What's under the hood?
 
Katiemikexxx: I use a very basic HUD.  I only include stats for VPIP %, PFR %, 3bet %, and number of hands.
 
PokerSoftware:  What do you think the most important stats are in a HUD?
 
Katiemikexxx:  VPIP % and PFR % are by far the most important stats for players like myself.  I play mainly low- and mid-stakes MTTs where players generally have what they are representing.  So, many HUD stats can be pretty misleading at times.  I also having tons of hands from early in the game, which can be very misleading if applied at different stages.
 
I believe VPIP % and PFR % provide the quickest method to understand how a player plays.  You need a lot of hands for the other stats to have close to an accurate sample, which you don't generally get in low- and mid-stakes MTTs, especially on PokerStars.
 
PokerSoftware:  With your HUD being very basic, do you ever refer to pop-ups?
 
Katiemikexxx:  I do use the popups sometimes, but since I am generally 12- to 18-tabling, I prefer to keep the clutter down, which means a simplified HUD and not clicking on pop-ups too often.
 
PokerSoftware:  Do you think HUDs are good for poker in general?  Should they be prohibited?
 
Katiemikexxx:  I have played with a HUD for so long it would be very strange not to.  But, yes, poker sites should ban them, as they are bad for the poker ecosystem and it would be a fairer game for the recreational player.  Of course, as a full-time player, I have to give myself the best chance while they are allowed, but I would be happy if poker tracking software were completely banned, as I think it gives poker a better chance of sticking around for a long time.
 
PokerSoftware:  What about SharkScope?  Should tracking sites like that be allowed?
 
Katiemikexxx:  I think it would be good if you could only search yourself, as I find it a good tool to see how you are performing at all different games.  Of course, they wouldn't have a business then, but Sharkscope doesn't help poker in general, so I wouldn't be terribly upset if poker sites took measures to exclude themselves.
 
PokerSoftware:  Can you tell us how you are using Pokerstrategy.com Equilabs?
 
Katiemikexxx:  I mainly use Pokerstrategy.com Equilabs for equity calculation of my hand versus hand ranges.  I am checking that my shoves are +EV.  I think my ranges are pretty solid, but still sometimes find myself in a spot I am not sure about and will mark that hand for review after my session.
 
PokerSoftware:  Have you tried out mobile poker?  If so, what do you think?
 
Katiemikexxx:  Yes, I have used the mobile clients on PokerStars, 888, and Winamax. Winamax was pretty buggy; however, I feel 888 and Stars are both very good.  Mobile poker is great for when you want to enjoy a game or two while out of the house.  I recently played a PokerStars WCOOP Turbo on my phone and came in 13th while at a casino.

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