PokerStars Configuration Guide

PokerTracker 3 version 3.10
October 25, 2013
  • Overview

    PokerTracker 3 imports hand histories saved to your local computer from PokerStars and stores the hands and statistics in a database for your review. This process must be initiated each time that you are playing via the Auto Import process. Once you begin the Auto Import, PokerTracker will import the hand histories in real-time as they complete and the head-up display (HUD) will display statistics directly on your PokerStars table(s).

    This guide is intended for users who wish to manually configure PokerTracker 3 to import hand histories from PokerStars in the event that hand histories are not automatically configured for import.  (Users who play Zoom need to manually configure PokerTracker 3 and Zoom.)

    For general information on installing and setting up PokerTracker 3, see the PokerTracker 3 Quick Start Guide.

  • Auto Importing Hand Histories

    PokerTracker 3 may not be automatically configured to import hand histories from PokerStars. You will have to configure PokerTracker manually in order for PokerTracker to automatically import hand histories.

    You will notice immediately if PokerStars is configured to automatically import hand histories by looking at the Auto Import tab. A checkmark will appear in the Auto field beside PokerStars as shown in the screenshot below.

     

    Tip: If you do not see PokerStars listed, check the Show Hidden Sites option.

     

    As you can see in the above screenshot, there is a checkmark in the Auto field for PokerStars. If there is no checkmark in the Auto field, PokerStars is not configured to automatically import hand histories.

    There are several reasons why PokerStars may not be configured to automatically import hand histories:

    • The PokerStars client has not been configured to save hand histories to disk. Please see the section in this guide titled Configuring Hand Histories at PokerStars.
    • You do not have the PokerStars client installed on your computer. If you have hand histories with a PokerStars but no longer have the client installed on your computer, you should use the Manual Importtab. Please see the section in this guide titled Manually Importing Hand Histories.

    If PokerStars is configured to save hand histories to your computer and the Auto field is not checked then please read the next section in this guide titled Configuring PokerTracker 3 for PokerStars.

    • Configuring PokerTracker 3 for PokerStars

      PokerTracker 3 must be configured to know where PokerStars is saving the hand histories on your local hard drive. To configure PokerTracker 3:

      1. In PokerTracker 3, choose the Import -> Auto Import tab.
      2. Select PokerStars from the site list.
      3. On the right-hand side, select the PokerStars configuration tab.
      4. If your hand history directory is not listed, click the Auto Detect button. This should add the correct folder to the Directories Configuration. If it does not, you can manually select the directory using the Add button.
      5. If you wish for PokerTracker 3 to start importing hands from PokerStars whenever you begin auto importing then check Automatically Start With Auto-Import option.
      6. If you use the Preferred Seat option in your PokerStars client (so that you are always placed in the same seat location at every table) then you must configure PokerTracker 3 with your preferred seat. Under Preferred Seating select the table size and your seat location exactly as configured within PokerStars.

      • Enabling the Zoom Poker HUD

        Users that play Zoom tables will need to manually configure PokerTracker 3 as Zoom is not enabled by default.  To configure Zoom click PokerStars-> PokerStars Configuration from the Import -> Auto Import tab.  Scroll down and make sure that the option "Enable Zoom HUD" is checked if you are playing Zoom and use a HUD. 

        Zoom Poker HUD 3

        With PokerTracker 3 configured correctly, you simply need to follow these steps to ensure your HUD is operational on Zoom tables.  These steps must be followed exactly, otherwise your HUD will not work.

        1. Start PokerTracker 3
        2. Start PokerStars and Login
        3. Click "Begin Auto Import" in PokerTracker 3
        4. Join a Zoom table

        Again, these steps must be followed for the HUD to work properly on Zoom tables.  If you have any HUD issues, please close both PokerTracker 3 and PokerStars and then start from step 1.  Below are some notes about Zoom and PokerTracker 3:

        • The PokerTracker 4 PokerStars Memory Grabber does not support Zoom tables.  It can remain enabled as a preference but it will not perform the same duties that it does at traditional PokerStars tables.  If you wish to increase the timing of the Zoom HUD display then you may find that disabling the PokerStars Memory Grabber option will help increase performance.
        • PokerTracker 3 will not display the HERO's HUD group, this is intentional behavior to increase HUD performance. 
        • The in-game hand history viewer will not function at Zoom tables, this is intentional behavior to assure proper database and HUD performance.
        • The default seat for players who do not have preferred seating enabled at Zoom tables is seat 3 for 6 max or seat 5 for 9 max tables. 
        • Due to security restrictions within the Apple OS X operating system, the Zoom HUD is not available for PokerTracker 3 for users who have Macs. PokerStars is aware of this issue, hopefully they can provide a solution in the future to allow PokerTraker to develop a Zoom HUD on OSX.
        • For optimal results, please allow the importer to import any existing hand histories before playing Zoom tables to minimize the time it takes the HUD to begin working.
        • As always, make sure that neither PokerStars nor PokerTracker 3 are open before updating the PT3 software.  To be safe, reboot your system before updating PT3!
    • Configuring Hand Histories at PokerStars

      You must configure the PokerStars client to save hand histories to a designated directory on your hard drive. This is important so that PokerTracker 3 may grab hand histories for the database.

      To configure your hand histories in PokerStars, do the following:

      1. From the PokerStars lobby, click on Options -> Instant Hand history Options.
      2. Check Save My Hands History.
      3. Please note the default location where PokerStars is saving your hand histories under Where To Save.
      4. Click OK to save the settings.

    • Configuring Language at PokerStars

      The PokerStars client must be configured to be in the English language. PokerTracker 3 currently only supports English and if the PokerStars client is in another language it will cause problems.

      To configure the Language in PokerStars, do the following:

      1. From the PokerStars lobby, click Language -> Play in -> English.
      2. If you play tournaments then you should also set the Email in language as English. Click Language -> Email in -> English.

  • Manually Importing Hand Histories

    If you have a lot of hand histories that you wish to import you should use the Manual Import tab instead of Auto Import. To manually import hand histories from PokerStars, do the following:

    1. Navigate to the Import -> Manual Import tab if you are not already there.
    2. You can either import a several files using the Import from File(s) button or you can import from an entire directory using the Import from Directory button.
    3. Browse to and locate the hand history file(s) or directory where the hand histories are located.

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