What's in Your HUD with The Spewtard

Date: 2014-07-18
Author: Jason Glatzer

PokerSoftware sat down with Australian poker player Dominic "The Spewtard" Coombe to get his thoughts on software.  The Spewtard is currently ranked #49 in the world at PocketFives.com with over $2 million in online tournament cashes.
 
PokerSoftware:  What poker software are you currently using or have used in the past?
 
Dominic Coombe:  I am currently using PokerTracker 4.  Believe it or not, I only started using poker tracking software in 2013.
 
PokerSoftware:  You have been on fire since 2013.  Do you think your HUD has helped your game?
 
Dominic Coombe:  It has definitely helped a bit; however, I also think I have been running good too.  The software does make my decisions a lot easier, but I feel it is a combination of factors, not just the HUD.  For example, I moved to a better time zone; therefore, I am able to put in more volume in +EV tournaments for myself.  My results seem to have come with that, but the use of a HUD doesn't hurt.
 
PokerSoftware:  What statistics in your HUD do you feel help you the most while playing online?
 
Dominic Coombe:  Although I have many stats in my HUD, I am typically just looking at the ones in the top line.  Those stats include Hands, VPIP %, Raise First In %, and 3bet Pre-Flop %.
 
PokerSoftware:  Can you give us an example of how these stats help you with decisions?
 
Dominic Coombe:  This information is especially great when I am going to a new table with no information.  When I have hands and history on my opponents, I can instantly see which players open pre-flop more frequently than normal.  I can obviously use this information to 3bet them lighter than I otherwise would.
 
My HUD also can be particularly helpful for identifying nits, etc.  In this case, my HUD is useful for adjusting ranges.  What might be a re-shove on the lighter side against a normal player probably wouldn't be against that type of player.
 
PokerSoftware:  Has using a HUD helped you play more tables at once?
 
Dominic Coombe:  No, it has not, although I can see why using a HUD can help some people play more tables simultaneously.  I actually prefer to play fewer tables now than I did previously because I find I play a little too tightly and sub-optimally with a lot of tables going at once.
.
PokerSoftware:  Have you been utilizing PokerTracker 4 as a post-study game tool?
 
Dominic Coombe:  No, although I probably should.  I find that I never have time to actually study poker!  I am of the school of thinking that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 
 
Every once in a while, I will go over a hand history with my backer, but in general when it comes to studying the game, I am particularly lazy.  I also think studying isn't an absolute necessity if your fundamentals are good.  I find that I am learning a lot of new things just by putting in volume and learning on the fly.
 
PokerSoftware:  Do you think HUDs are good for the game?  Should poker sites allow them?
 
Dominic Coombe:  It depends what you mean by "good."  I think if everyone started using them, it would be tougher to make money; however, I don't think everyone will start using them.  I do not think they should be prohibited since it is not like they are not available for everyone to use.  It is up to the individual if he or she wants to keep up with the pros by giving themselves an advantage at the tables.  So yes, I do feel that they should be allowed.
 
PokerSoftware:  With that in mind, would you play on a site where HUDs were not allowed?
 
Dominic Coombe:  Yes, if there were decent tourneys and the games were soft enough.  Remember, I was playing without a HUD for over five years.
 
Thank you for the interview.  You can follow The Spewtard on Twitter under the handle @thespewtard.  He promised to Tweet updates during the upcoming WPT Cyprus in September.

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