Poker HUDs and trackers: where are they allowed?
A tracker (such as PokerTracker or Hold’em Manager) saves your hand histories. A HUD (heads-up display) uses that database to show statistics about opponents on the table, such as VPIP and PFR.
Why sites are moving away from HUDs
Section titled “Why sites are moving away from HUDs”HUDs give experienced regulars a big information edge over new players. To protect recreational players, more and more rooms restrict or ban them, and every room publishes a list of permitted and banned software.
Rules on some popular rooms (late 2026)
Section titled “Rules on some popular rooms (late 2026)”| Room | HUDs |
|---|---|
| GGPoker | Banned. In October 2026 GGPoker banned all third-party software, including HUDs and trackers like PokerTracker 4 and Hold’em Manager 3. |
| partypoker | Traditional opponent-stat HUDs not allowed. Only approved tools that show current-hand info (pot odds, stack-to-pot ratio) are permitted. |
| KKPoker | Third-party software and HUDs are not allowed. |
| Other sites | Some rooms still allow trackers within a permitted-software list. Rules change often. |
Always read the current permitted-software page of your room before installing anything.
Always forbidden
Section titled “Always forbidden”- Real-time assistance: solvers, charts or advice that tell you what to do during a hand.
- Bots and any automated play.
- Seating scripts that pick tables or opponents automatically (PokerStars banned them in 2019).
- Sharing hand information with other players during the game.
Breaking these rules can get your account closed and your balance confiscated. See bots and RTA.
What beginners can use instead
Section titled “What beginners can use instead”- The room’s own statistics and hand replayer.
- Notes on players (how to take notes).
- Study tools away from the table: equity calculators, preflop charts, solvers. See poker software for beginners.
Honestly, a beginner gains far more from solid fundamentals than from a HUD. Start with poker stats explained.
What is a poker HUD?
Section titled “What is a poker HUD?”A heads-up display that shows statistics about your opponents on the table, built from a tracker’s hand-history database.
Does GGPoker allow HUDs?
Section titled “Does GGPoker allow HUDs?”No. In October 2026 GGPoker banned all third-party software, including HUDs.
Can I use a HUD on KKPoker?
Section titled “Can I use a HUD on KKPoker?”No. KKPoker does not allow third-party software or HUDs.
Is using a solver during play allowed?
Section titled “Is using a solver during play allowed?”No. Real-time assistance is banned on practically every poker site.