Poker Basics - Number of Hands

One of the most reliable HUD stats of all is simply the number of hands you have on a player at your table.

So far in this series on HUD stats everyone can learn from we have looked at player tendencies that are also observable in live poker and sites that don't allow HUDs, but today we are looking at something even more fundamental. 

One of the most significant stats you have on your HUD at all is simply the number of hands you have on an opponent. Most tracking software shows you how many hands you have been dealt into alongside your opponent. 

This tells you something very valuable, whether your opponent is a 'regular' or not. 

Are they a high volume player?

If you are at a table with another player whom you only have 47 hands on, you cannot really trust any of the stats you have on them. If they have a high VPIP it could just be a hot run of cards and if it is low they could be card dead.  

But the number itself gives a clue to how high volume they are. Until you get further details, 47 hands would suggest they are new to your site. They are perhaps a 'Weekend Warrior' who only plays for fun. 

Likewise, if you have a very large sample, let's say 3,000 hands, then that player probably plays a lot of tables and there is a good chance they are at least a small winner (by virtue of the fact they have survived that many hands). This player is a 'regular' and you should assume at a minimum they will be solid. A high volume in MTTs is even more meaningful than cash games, because of the random seat draws it is rare you share significant table time with anyone but other regulars. 3,000 hands in an MTT means they have been playing in your games for a long time. 

It's important to always be prepared to change your opinion where this is concerned, a low sample might be a good player trying a new site. A high sample might be a weak player with deep pockets. But in the absence of any further information, the number of hands you have is a decent guiding principle. 

Even at sites without HUDs and live poker you can apply this lesson. If you keep seeing the same players at your table, it gets more and more likely they are a decent regular. If you have never seen your opponent before, assume they are weak until they show you otherwise. 

If you do play on a site that uses a HUD and you are interested in using one, we recommend PokerTracker 4 which you can try for free right here.  

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