Updated on 22 Feb 26 by
Barry carter
Poker Expert

PokerStars considers changing third-party software rules

PokerStars are seriously considering changing its policy on third-party software and are asking for feedback from the poker community.

PokerStars

In a post on TwoPlusTwo, PokerStars Steve outlined the potential new rules. Software that provides static information, like Nash charts, which does not change in-game, would still be allowed, as would tools which profile your opponents based on information you have accumulated through play.

However, the following would be prohibited when the PokerStars client is open:

Any tool or reference material that offers commentary or advice that goes beyond a basic level, such as stack-size-based starting hand tables, decision trees or heads-up displays that dynamically change based on player action or card values.

If implemented, this would mean that following tools would no longer be allowed while PokerStars is open:

  • SessionLord’s Preflop Chart
  • Holy Grail of Poker
  • Poker Academy
  • HEM2’s LeakBuster
  • FlopZilla
  • Odds Oracle
  • PokerStove
  • NoteCaddy
  • PT4’s Leak Tracker

PokerStars have asked for feedback on the same TwoPlusTwo thread this week to help them decide whether to move ahead with the proposed changes. They have indicated they are looking for sound reasoning to sway their decision, not the most popular opinion.

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Poker Expert

Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2, Poker Satellite Strategy, PKO Poker Strategy, Endgame Poker Strategy, GTO Poker Simplified, Mystery Bounty Poker Strategy and Beyond GTO. In 2025, he won the Global Poker Awards for Best Book and Twitter Personality of the Year.