The 10 Most Important Statistics in Online Poker and How to Use Them

Online poker has changed the way the game is played. Unlike live games, where you rely on physical tells and table dynamics, online platforms provide players with access to powerful statistical data through tracking software and HUDs (heads-up displays) like HoldemManager or Drive2Hud to name a few. These numbers can reveal patterns in opponents’ play, help you identify leaks in your own strategy, and guide crucial decisions.

Here are the 10 most important poker statistics every online player should understand and how to use them effectively.

1. VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money in Pot)

• Definition: The percentage of hands in which a player voluntarily invests chips (excluding blinds).
• Why it matters: VPIP shows how loose or tight someone is. A player with 10% VPIP only plays premium hands, while someone with 40% VPIP is splashing around in many pots.
• Typical ranges:
  • Tight: 12–18%
  • Loose: 25%+

How to use it: Target high-VPIP players (loose opponents) when you have strong hands, and be cautious against very tight players—they usually have strong ranges.

2. PFR (Preflop Raise)

• Definition: The percentage of hands where a player raises preflop (not just calls).
• Why it matters: It indicates aggression. A player with VPIP 20% and PFR 18% is very aggressive, while VPIP 20% and PFR 5% is more passive.
• Typical ranges:
  • Aggressive Regular: 14–20%
  • Passive Player: <8%

How to use it: Look for gaps between VPIP and PFR. A large gap signals a “calling station” who plays lots of hands but rarely raises.

3. 3-Bet Percentage

• Definition: The frequency at which a player re-raises preflop.
• Why it matters: This stat reveals how often a player pushes back against aggression.
• Typical ranges:
  • Solid regulars: 6–10%
  • Very tight: <4%
  • Very aggressive: >12%

How to use it: Against players with low 3-bet stats, you can fold weaker hands confidently. Against players with high 3-bet stats, widen your 4-bet bluffs or trap with strong holdings.

4. Fold to 3-Bet

• Definition: The percentage of times a player folds after raising and facing a 3-bet.
• Why it matters: It shows how defendable their opening ranges are.
• Typical ranges:
  • Weak/Tight: >65%
  • Balanced: 45–60%

How to use it: If an opponent folds too much to 3-bets, increase your bluff 3-bets. If they rarely fold, tighten up and value 3-bet only.

5. C-Bet (Continuation Bet) Percentage

• Definition: The frequency a player bets the flop after being the preflop raiser.
• Why it matters: It reflects how aggressive they are post-flop.
• Typical ranges:
  • Standard: 55–70%
  • Too high: >75% (bluffing too often)
  • Too low: <45% (missed value opportunities)

How to use it: Float (call with intent to bluff later) against players who c-bet too often. Conversely, if they rarely c-bet, you can fold weaker hands confidently.

6. Fold to C-Bet

• Definition: How often a player folds to a flop c-bet after calling preflop.
• Why it matters: This stat shows who gives up easily and who continues aggressively.
• Typical ranges:
  • Weak: >65% (easy to exploit with c-bets)
  • Sticky: <45% (requires strong value hands)

How to use it: Continuation bet relentlessly against high fold-to-c-bet players. Against “sticky” players, cut back on bluffs.

7. Aggression Factor (AF)

• Definition: The ratio of bets and raises to calls post-flop.
• Why it matters: It measures a player’s overall aggression style.
• Typical ranges:
  • Passive: <1.5
  • Balanced: 2–3
  • Overly Aggressive: >4

How to use it: A high AF opponent bluffs more often—look to trap with medium-strong hands. A passive opponent usually only bets with strong hands.

8. WTSD (Went to Showdown)

• Definition: The percentage of times a player sees a showdown after seeing the flop.
• Why it matters: Tells you how “sticky” a player is.
• Typical ranges:
  • Loose/Curious: >30%
  • Balanced: 25–30%
  • Too tight: <22%

How to use it: Against players with high WTSD, bluff less—they’ll call too often. Against players who rarely go to showdown, bluff more frequently.

9. W$SD (Won $ at Showdown)

• Definition: The percentage of pots won at showdown.
• Why it matters: It measures showdown strength. A very high W$SD suggests they only go to showdown with strong hands.
• Typical ranges:
  • Solid: 50–55%
  • Too nitty: >60%
  • Too loose: <45%

How to use it: Players with low W$SD are calling stations—value bet them relentlessly. Players with very high W$SD are overly tight and can be bluffed off hands.

10. Hands Played (Sample Size Reliability)

• Definition: The number of tracked hands.
• Why it matters: No stat is meaningful without enough data. For example, a 30% 3-bet over 20 hands is meaningless, but over 5,000 hands it’s significant.

How to use it: Always consider the sample size before adjusting your play. Small samples can create misleading impressions. This is why a service such as hhDealer.com is so important.

At hhDealer you can buy more hand histories than you can ever gather on your own at the fraction of time and cost.

Final Thoughts

These 10 stats—VPIP, PFR, 3-Bet%, Fold to 3-Bet, C-Bet%, Fold to C-Bet, Aggression Factor, WTSD, W$SD, and Hands Played—form the foundation of any online poker HUD. By learning to read and interpret them correctly, you can:

• Identify weak opponents quickly
• Adjust your strategy dynamically
• Avoid common pitfalls like overbluffing calling stations or giving credit to loose players

Mastering these statistics won’t guarantee victory, but it will give you a powerful edge in making mathematically informed decisions at the tables.