Holdem Manager 3 Review: Is It the Best Poker Tracking Software?

Database Management

• Faster Database Creation: Making a new database is very quick. Just enter the name, and the database will be ready for you.

For instance, you just got your poker hand histories from last month. Making a new database in HM3 is easy. Just name it “January Cash Games,” and it will be ready in seconds to save your data.

• Real-Time Auto Import: This function allows hands played at live tables to be imported and analyzed in real time.

HUD (Heads-Up Display)

HM3’s HUD has been dramatically improved, including:

• Customizable HUDs: Users can easily set up and change HUD settings. The new graphics HUD choice shows lines and charts, helping you understand the data better.

Let’s say you prefer a simple display that only shows VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money in Pot), PFR (Pre-Flop Raise), and 3-bet percentage. HM3 allows you to create a simple setup or use a visual display with color-coded ranges and charts to identify different player types quickly.

• HUD Editor: The HUD editor is easy to use. It lets players set ranges, choose colors, and add other visible signals.

So, you want your 3-bet stat to show up in red if it’s below 5%, orange if it’s between 5% and 8%, and green if it’s over 8%. With the HUD editor, you can tweak these ranges and pick colors that suit your style.

• Import Options: If you’re devoted to your HM2 HUD, you may quickly transfer it into HM3 without problems.

Reporting and Analytics

• Overall Reports: HM3 provides comprehensive reports that include results from cash games and tournaments. Users can easily switch between these modes.

How much do you win in cash games and tournaments? HM3 lets you create a report that shows your $/hour, number of big blinds won, and tournament ROI. For instance, you can easily switch between your NL100 cash games and $22 events to see where you profit most.

• Advanced Filters: HM3’s pre-set filters save you effort and time. Standard filters include positional stats, showdown results, and hand ranges.

Want to see how you perform with suited connectors from a late position? Use HM3’s pre-set filters to isolate these scenarios. For example, filter for hands like 6♠ 5♠ and view your showdown results.

• Custom Filters: To further streamline analysis, users may save their preferred filters for easy access.

Graphical Analysis

An improved method of performance visualization is available in HM3 thanks to the addition of graphical representations for both hand and session analysis: 

• Flop, Turn, and River Actions: Visual analysis of how you’ve played certain hands over various streets.

Visualize how you played a tricky hand like K♠ Q♠. The graph displays your actions: you made a bet after the flop, checked after the turn, and tried to bluff on the river. HM3 shows similar hands to help you see if your river bluffs are successful over time.

• Opponent Comparisons: Look at how you did against certain opponents to assess your strengths and weaknesses.

If you’re having a hard time against a certain player in your pool, use this tool to study your hands against “Player123.” You can see key statistics like how often they fold to continuation bets or raise on the turn, which will help you change your strategy.

Opponent Analysis

• Opponent Profiles: HM3 lets players build thorough profiles for their opponents, including important variables like aggression factor, fold-to-c-bet percentages, and much more.

Create detailed profiles for opponents. For example, you might label an opponent “Passive Calling Station” after noting their low aggression factor (AF < 1) and high Fold-to-C-Bet percentage (>70%). It helps tailor your playstyle for maximum exploitation.

Hand Replayer

The hand replayer in HM3 has been improved for a better experience.

• Customization Options: Big blinds, chip counts, or both may be shown to users.

You are reviewing a tournament hand. In the replayer, you may display big blinds instead of chip counts to help you see how the stacks compare during the hand.

• Save Formats: You can save hands in different forms to share or analyze later.

You played an interesting hand and want to share it with your coach. HM3 allows you to save the hand as a text file, a video clip, or a link for easy sharing.Playback Speed: Change the speed of the replayer to fit your analysis criteria.

Situational Analysis

HM3 shines in giving specific breakdowns, such as:

• 3-Bet Scenarios: Analyze your results in 3-bet pots, including win rates and positional stats.

Consider how well you do in 3-bet pots when defending from the big blind. HM3 displays your winning rates, position stats, and how often you 4-bet or fold, which can help you improve your approach to defending the big blind (BB).

• Showdown Outcomes: Check how often you win at showdown and look for ways to do better.

You noticed you have been losing at Showdown lately. HM3 helps you track how often you play weak hands on the river and if those choices make you money. For example, it could show that calling river bets with weak top pairs is losing you money.

• C-Bet Analysis: Examine the success rates and occurrences of c-bets using comprehensive graphs and charts.

Want to improve your c-betting frequency? Use the graphs and charts in HM3 to see that you’re only c-betting 50% of the time on dry boards (e.g., K♠ 7♦ 2♣), suggesting missed opportunities to pick up pots.