Holdem Ranger is a real-time Heads-Up Display (HUD) created to display statistics using an overlay on top of an online poker table. The program builds a database of stats from hand history files it imports and displays them in boxes during game play.

License:Free

Compatible sites:

• Absolute Poker Software
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• Full Tilt Poker Software
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• Party Poker Software
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• PokerStars Software
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• Ultimate Bet Software
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• Titan Poker Software
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Features:

• Compatible with seven online poker rooms
• Displays statistics of players and updates in real-time
• Stand alone product
• Over 25 different stats can be displayed

For many players who jump into the world of online poker, they start at freerolls or make a small deposit and play large-field $1 tournaments with the hope of striking it rich. From there, they migrate to small-stakes sit and gos and eventually end up at the micro-stakes cash game tables. The problem is that they see their low- and mid-stakes friends using a Heads-Up Display (HUD), but simply can’t justify spending $60 to $80 on a hand tracking program when they are playing for $0.02-$0.05 blinds.

Enter the freeware program Holdem Ranger. It offers players the ability to have an HUD free of charge and build up a database of hands on players at the table. With over 25 different statistics available to display, players can get accustomed to using an overlay and receiving an edge at the tables.  Here is the view of a table while using the Holdem Ranger HUD:

Installation and setup of the program is easy for those familiar with the Windows operating environment. Download the program and install it onto your computer. When you run the program, you will need to set up the folders in order to properly import hand histories. Most of these folders will be automatically created, but you should double-check to see if the program is bringing them in from the right place. In addition, you’ll have to enter your screen name and hit “OK” to save the settings. Once you’ve done that, the program is ready to go.

The HUD isn’t the most customizable program in the world, but being able to even have an HUD with a database for free is a huge advantage. This feature will probably be your most used feature of Holdem Ranger, but there is also an equity calculator included with the program.  You will simply enter your hole cards, board cards, and dead cards and your wins, ties, and equity percentages will be displayed.  Here is what the equity calculator looks like:

Overall, Holdem Ranger is a fantastic program and one of the most useful freeware applications that a poker player can get their hands on. Don’t expect too much from it outside of being able to display basic stats at a table, but that should be more than enough for micro-stakes players to jump all over this rather than fork over money for a full-featured tracker like PokerStove.