First of all, what is an Empirical Poker Calculator? Well, you will know your calculator is the empirical type (EPC) because it collects and collates table data for you, while you are seated at that very table. As well as doing the basic mathematical functions of all Poker Calculators, empirical poker calculators monitor and record the behavior of your opponents. Based on this added information, such a Poker Calculator can help support or contradict your impression of a certain opponents grid factor, but more likely, set the framework for an hypothesis all on its own.

If this sounds like something you as a poker player should be doing anyway, well, you are right. In fact, pick up any sound poker book or how to win at poker training material and all say the same thing one way or another pay attention to your table, watch for betting patterns, watch for position plays, take notes, determine if is he tight, or if she is loose/aggressive and so on. But even if you are supposed to do that, there are still three big reasons why you need an empirical poker calculator (EPC) to do it for you.

1- There are just too many distractions at home when playing online. The wife, the fridge, the kids, the pets, the bathroom, the window, and the television are among them. You can miss a lot of hand action tending to business at home. Remember last night when you were checking the hockey scores? Well, coincidently your EPC noted that JimBo99 limped in early with J7os, and LooseMother called two raises cold with K2s.

2- You never took notes in college, and youre not about to start now. Yes, it could just be laziness, but some just people cannot take notes. Your EPC can be your stenographer so to speak, but it can also decipher that information and offer up favorable probabilities. You sat out the other night for a good 15 minutes while switching cars in the driveway and saying goodnight to the kids. You came back and noticed your EPCs VPIP meter now says your online poker table has turned very loose.

3- You hardly ever play just one table online. Its too boring. Three is more your speed. Your EPC is specially designed for you because when a confrontational hand situation comes up that demands your personal attention and thought, you are still able to watch the other tables and record anything pertinent there as well. Try and do that at a live poker table.

If you havent got an EPC yet, they are well worth the investment.