With the popularity of online poker, comes the evolution of online poker software. This software helps online poker players to win more often.

Don't get these programs confused with online poker cheats. You don't get to see the other players cards as you do with online poker cheats, but you also won't get banned (or thrown in jail) from a gambling site for cheating. Everything I talk about here is 100% completely legitimate.

Online poker software comes in three basic variations: Odds Calculators, Real-Time Betting Advice, and Player Tracking. Each has it's own merits and some online poker software comes with a little bit of all three. Let me explain some of the things each does and where to find software to fill that need.

Poker Odds Calculator

The display screen usually shows your odds to win the hand, your outs, pot odds, and much more. Also, you'll want to make sure that whatever online poker tools or online poker software you choose, it is supported by the majority of major online poker sites.

Two of the most popular poker odds calculators are: Texas Calculatem - Holdem Genius

Real-Time Betting Advice

The online poker tools that fall into this category, use complex mathematical formulas to recommend the best play on every hand: check, call, fold, or raise. It's all based on your hand, the cards that have been played, your pot odds, your immediate outs, and much more! The more complex online poker software can even use algorithms that take into account position, fold depth, playing style and more.

The best online poker software are completely customizable. You can adjust the software's betting advice to meet your style: loose or aggressive, tight or passive. Even change it up based on positioning or pre and post-flop betting.

There are some stand-alone programs to do this task, but since most of the major poker odds calculators have this feature incorporated into them, I would recommend you don't spend the extra money for a stand-alone program.

You may also want to check out this link which offers a year free mentoring. It won't be real-time but you can send in hand histories and get back detailed reports on how the hand should have been played. A whole year of free advice from a professional, not a software program.

Player Tracking

That is exactly the premise behind Player Tracking. Player Tracking uses online poker software (called poker tracking software) to track the strength, weaknesses, and betting patterns of online poker players. To accomplish this feat, while the game is on, poker tracking software such as Poker Usher registers everything that takes place. The software registers board cards and betting patterns as well as any hole cards that are displayed in showdowns. Every opponent is evaluated. Then a compound evaluation is produced for every poker table on the selected poker site, showing if the resistance at the table is weak or strong. Playing at weak tables is one of the most important steps to skyrocket one's poker winnings.

Even if you can't get into that easy table (players at easy tables never want to leave) you can still use poker tracking software for the game you are in. The better software gives you a real-time view into the game history and results of each opponent. Smart icons show in a glance what kind of players they are. Primary stats are displayed beside each opponent, and your own play should get an instant evaluation so you can fine-tune your play to perfection.

In addition to Poker Usher, another program I recommend is Poker Crusher. Before adding any of these tools to your arsenal of poker weapons, make sure they support the site you like to play at. Some of these are fairly new to the scene and don't support all sites.