Poker players who are trying to make a living grinding it out at the online tables in New Jersey can rejoice. PokerTracker 4 (PT4) is now available in the Garden State.
According to a press release issued yesterday, today’s new version of PokerTracker, PokerTracker 4.10.8, includes “official support for the USA Regulated Market in New Jersey.” The two sites on the Party Borgata Network, BorgataPoker.com and nj.PartyPoker.com, will be detected automatically by the software once players use PT4’s Setup Assistant. As is the case with PT4 and other poker sites, all games and tournaments are supported.
For those who are concerned as to whether or not PT4 is allowed on these sites, Poker Tracker explicitly stated in its press release, “PokerTracker 4 is compliant within the regulatory framework provided by the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement,” adding, “we are proud to support New Jersey’s historic step forward into the online poker industry.”
PokerTracker’s main competitor, Hold’em Manager (HM), has not done anything official when it comes to supporting New Jersey poker sites, but it should work on some of them. According to HM representative “fozzy71” on Two Plus Two, “We don’t officially support any NJ sites yet but it is our understanding that both HM1 and HM2 will work with Borgata/Party as their software is identical to their international software. Unfortunately WSOP/888 changed their hand history format slightly so the hands do not import.”
He also said that they add support based on the popularity of the sites and they are currently working on other sites that are more popular than those in the U.S.
For the uninitiated, PokerTracker and Hold’em Manager are software packages that allow online poker players to do things such as track their sessions, analyze past hands, keep tabs on wins and losses, and study opponents’ tendencies. They also come with Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), which provide an informational overlay on top of the poker tables, giving players instant access to information about their opponents based on data gathered from historical hands. Dedicated poker players often find these resources invaluable, as they provide a means to improve their game via study and help make better decisions while at the tables.
Over the years, there has been much debate as to the ethics of using hand tracking software, particularly the use of HUDs. Poker “purists” believe that HUDs give players an unfair advantage over those not using them and essentially bastardize the game, as nobody has computer programs helping them in live poker. Supporters of HUDs argue that as long as they are not breaking the rules of the poker room, there is no problem; poker software is available for anyone to purchase. Additionally, online poker, while still poker, is different than live poker and should not be treated as the same animal. Most agree that using poker software to analyze play when offline is fine.
