So what is an Operative Poker Calculator (OPC) anyway and whats the fuss about?

Operative Poker Calculator (OPC) This type of poker calculator will have a combination of at least some of the features in each of the Mathematical (MPC)and Empirical (EPC), but is distinct in how it obtains that information. You could call this the black hat of Poker Calculators, because it extracts information on your future opponents, by monitoring your poker websites table action, and thus building a player database whether you are at a table or not. Then you can retrieve information from that database to view your opponents hand selection, playing styles, raising habits, bankroll fluctuations, experience, and a host of other factors.

Still not clear? Well imagine if you were waiting in line for a table at your favorite live poker room and finally got to take a seat from a player who had been there for 8 straight hours and decided to move to the table next to the one you just sat at. When you both sat down, your backs were to each other but just inches away. (Another crowded live poker room!) A couple of hands in, you are heads up against another player where you both had raised the stakes up until the river, at which point he throws out a $40 bet. While you ponder a re-raise bluff, the dude at the other table that you had displaced, leans back and whispers to you, Fold, he only plays the nuts.

Ahh! Busted. You wouldnt like that if you were also seated at the same table would you? In fact, the dealer would have to step in at that point and make a ruling/warning. You were able to act on some information gathered by someone else, at a different time, when you were NOT present and not paying for the privilege of being at the table.

Therein lies the delicate issue that separates Operational Poker Calculators (OPC) from all other types. It gathers data for you while you are not present and not paying for the privilege of information. OPCs essentially spy on poker tables for you and collect data about those players. Players you may, or have yet, to play against. However, if you do meet them at a table you will know a lot more about them, than they do about you.

You may have gotten some decent information about an opponent in a live situation before. Grey information such as Watch out for that guy, he is aggressive. This kind of talk is somewhat accepted between competitors, but if you were to hand your buddy a dossier you built about each and every player at the table that includes items like position plays, check raises, win/loss ratios, showdown percentages etc.. Well as Mr. BigPokerSite would concur, that is simply cheating!