GGPoker Bans PokerTracker 4 in 2026: Full Software List, HUD Rules and Screen Guard

The GGPoker PokerTracker ban has changed the rules for online poker players who use tracking software, HUDs, table-management utilities, and other third-party tools.

GGPoker has announced that players must fully close programs such as PokerTracker 4, Holdem Manager 3, Hand2Note, Jurojin, and Equilab before launching its poker client.

The announcement goes beyond the site’s long-standing restrictions on real-time HUDs.

Even software that players previously used for other poker rooms is now included in GGPoker’s broader prohibition on third-party poker applications running alongside its client.

That creates an immediate problem for multitabling players who use PokerTracker for PokerStars or another poker platform while keeping GGPoker open.

However, the change does not necessarily mean players must uninstall their tracking software or abandon studying poker away from the tables.

GGPoker has also introduced four optional client-security features, including Screen Guard, and a new detection system designed to identify unusually accurate decisions that could indicate access to hidden cards.

So, which programs are banned? Can you still analyze your own hand histories? Does Screen Guard interfere with streaming? And what should you do if a prohibited application is running in the background?

This guide explains the official rules, the practical consequences, and the important questions that remain unanswered.

Did GGPoker Ban PokerTracker 4?

Yes. GGPoker explicitly named PokerTracker 4 among the third-party poker applications that must not run alongside its game client.

The change was announced on October 15, 2026, in an official statement titled New Security Measures at GGPoker.

The operator instructed players to close the listed applications completely before starting GGPoker.

Previously, GGPoker prohibited real-time assistance and third-party HUDs while permitting some unrelated software that did not interact with its games.

However, the new announcement introduces a stricter approach.

GGPoker argues that third-party applications can create security risks even if their intended purpose is legitimate.

For example, a compromised program may potentially expose a player’s screen, account information, or hidden cards.

Nevertheless, the announcement does not establish that PokerTracker itself was involved in the recent security breach.

That distinction is important because the new prohibition covers many unrelated programs, including tools not publicly identified as having been compromised.

GGPoker Third-Party Software Ban: Quick Answers

The main distinction is between software running alongside GGPoker and legitimate study activity performed outside a live session.

Full List of Software Banned by GGPoker in October 2026

GGPoker specifically identified ten applications and categories of third-party poker software in its security announcement.

The list includes tracking programs, analysis tools, table-management utilities, and automation software.

Importantly, this is not an exhaustive list.

GGPoker also prohibits other third-party poker software and automation tools covered by the updated policy.

Therefore, a program does not become permitted simply because its name is missing from the announcement.

Players should assess its actual function and obtain clarification from official support when necessary.

Why Is Equilab on the Banned List?

Equilab is commonly used for studying poker equity and hand ranges.

Unlike an automated poker bot, it does not need to control the game client to calculate probabilities.

However, using equity calculators or reference materials during active decision-making can violate poker-room rules against real-time assistance.

GGPoker has specifically included Equilab in its new concurrent-software prohibition.

Consequently, players should complete their analysis before launching the game client rather than leaving the program running in the background.

Our poker solver guide explains how to distinguish legitimate study from prohibited real-time assistance.

Why Is AutoHotkey Banned?

AutoHotkey is a general-purpose Windows automation tool.

People use it for many activities unrelated to poker, including keyboard shortcuts and desktop workflows.

However, it can also automate actions or create macros that affect gameplay.

GGPoker specifically named AutoHotkey in its prohibited-program list.

Therefore, players should not assume that a script becomes acceptable simply because they use it for an unrelated application.

The official instruction is to close the listed applications before launching GGPoker.

Can You Use PokerTracker for PokerStars While GGPoker Is Open?

No, not under GGPoker’s newly announced policy.

This is one of the biggest practical changes for players who participate in several poker rooms simultaneously.

Consider this situation:

A player opens PokerStars and starts PokerTracker 4 to record statistics. Then, while PokerTracker continues running, the player launches GGPoker to join an additional tournament.

Under older interpretations of GGPoker’s rules, software that did not interact with GGPoker could sometimes be allowed.

However, the October 15 announcement directly instructs players to close PokerTracker and the other listed applications before launching GGPoker.

That creates a much stricter restriction for multitabling players.

Importantly, the new instruction applies even when the player’s intended use of the tracker is unrelated to GGPoker tables.

What If PokerTracker Is Minimized?

Minimizing a program is not the same as closing it.

A minimized tracking application can continue operating in the background, importing hand histories or maintaining other software processes.

GGPoker’s announcement says players should fully close the prohibited software.

Therefore, minimizing its window or hiding it in the system tray does not satisfy that instruction.

Do You Have to Uninstall PokerTracker?

The announcement does not say that every player must uninstall PokerTracker from their computer.

Instead, it focuses on applications running alongside the GGPoker client.

For example, a player may have PokerTracker installed for use during separate study sessions.

However, the software should not be running while GGPoker is open.

Additionally, players must respect GGPoker’s separate restrictions on hand-history imports, data sharing, and real-time assistance.

Can You Still Analyze GGPoker Hands With PokerTracker?

This question requires an important distinction between downloading personal hand histories and importing those files into a third-party application.

GGPoker’s help documentation permits players to download their own hands for personal offline analysis through PokerCraft.

However, its Security and Ecology Policy also restricts third-party tools that import or convert data directly from the tables or PokerCraft.

Meanwhile, PokerTracker’s developers have explained that players can continue using the program after their GGPoker sessions have ended.

In an official PokerTracker forum discussion about the new ban, a representative clarified that PokerTracker should not be running at the same time as GGPoker.

The representative also described manually importing previously downloaded hand histories after closing the poker client.

However, PokerTracker’s interpretation should not be treated as an exemption from GGPoker’s own rules.

If you intend to import GGPoker hands into external software, confirm that your exact offline workflow complies with the current policy.

How to Review Your Own Hands Safely

For players concerned about compliance, a conservative workflow is:

1. Play your GGPoker session without prohibited third-party poker software running.
2. After the session, review your hands using the operator’s built-in PokerCraft features.
3. Use PokerCraft’s official download options if you want a personal copy of eligible hand histories.
4. Close GGPoker completely before opening a third-party study application.
5. Check that your planned import or analysis method complies with GGPoker’s current data-use policy.
6. Do not upload, share, sell, or distribute hand histories in ways prohibited by the operator.

This approach avoids the clearest violation: running specifically banned software alongside GGPoker.

However, because the operator’s data-import wording is restrictive, it would be misleading to guarantee that every external import method is approved.

What Is PokerCraft?

PokerCraft is GGPoker’s built-in hand-history and analysis system.

It allows players to examine previous sessions and review selected aspects of their performance.

Depending on the game format, players can inspect hand histories, outcomes, and other available statistics.

According to GGPoker’s official hand-history guidance, downloading one’s own hands for personal offline study is permitted through the platform’s approved methods.

However, collecting other players’ hand histories or sharing protected data can violate the operator’s rules.

For further information about tracking software and study tools, read our best poker analysis tools guide.

What Is GGPoker Screen Guard?

Screen Guard is one of four new optional security features introduced by GGPoker.

Its purpose is to reduce the risk of sensitive poker information being exposed through screen capture or remote-viewing software.

According to GGPoker, Screen Guard is designed to prevent screenshots, recordings, screen-sharing programs, and remote-viewing applications from seeing protected poker tables.

That includes opponents’ hidden-card information visible only to the player.

However, Screen Guard is a protective feature, not a guarantee that a computer cannot be compromised.

How to Enable Screen Guard in GGPoker

1. Open the official GGPoker application.
2. Access Game Settings.
3. Find the new Client Security section.
4. Locate the Screen Guard option.
5. Enable the protection if you want to restrict screen capture of your poker tables.
6. Review the additional Protect the whole Client setting if you also want to protect non-table account pages.

When Protect the whole Client is enabled, GGPoker says the protection extends to the lobby, cashier, wallet information, and account pages.

That may help reduce exposure of sensitive information during screen-sharing sessions.

However, the exact control names and interface layout may change through software updates.

Will Screen Guard Block OBS or Discord Screen Sharing?

Screen Guard is specifically designed to prevent protected GGPoker content from appearing in screenshots, recordings, and shared screens.

Therefore, it may interfere with workflows that involve software such as OBS or Discord screen sharing.

However, GGPoker did not publish a complete compatibility table for every streaming application.

Consequently, players should not assume that every streaming configuration behaves identically.

Streamers should review the operator’s recording and streaming rules and contact support if they need clarification.

Disabling or bypassing security protections in ways that violate the site’s policies could create separate compliance problems.

GGPoker’s Four New Client Security Features Explained

GGPoker has introduced four optional security functions designed to help protect users while its poker client is running.

GGPoker says these optional features operate only while the client is open.

However, the optional nature of these security controls does not mean that the third-party software ban is optional.

Does Allowed Processes Let You Whitelist PokerTracker?

No exemption of that kind is established by the announcement.

Allowed Processes is described as a way to prevent trusted applications from triggering certain security alerts.

However, an alert-management feature does not automatically override the operator’s list of prohibited software.

Therefore, players should not interpret a whitelist control as permission to run PokerTracker 4 or another explicitly banned program.

Can GGPoker’s Security Tools Replace Antivirus Software?

No.

GGPoker explicitly warns that the new client-security features do not replace conventional antivirus protection or secure the entire computer.

For example, Screen Guard may help protect the game window from certain capture methods while offering no guarantee against other malware behavior.

Players should continue updating their operating systems, using reputable security software, and reviewing unfamiliar applications.

Our online poker security checklist explains additional ways to protect accounts and devices.

Why Did GGPoker Ban Third-Party Poker Software?

The decision follows a major online poker security controversy involving compromised third-party software.

Reports about the recent superuser incident described attackers obtaining unauthorized access to players’ screens through malicious software associated with third-party poker utilities.

That exposure potentially allowed an attacker to view information that should have remained private, including hole cards.

GGPoker’s response reflects concern about software supply-chain security as well as conventional cheating methods.

In a supply-chain attack, an application or update can become a delivery method for malicious code.

Consequently, a player may face risks even when the original software had a legitimate purpose.

Our earlier report on the online poker superuser scandal involving Jurojin and compromised software explains the wider controversy.

However, that incident does not establish that every poker tracker or HUD application is malicious.

The new policy is GGPoker’s response to a category of perceived risk rather than proof that all prohibited programs participated in the attack.

What Is GGPoker’s New Win-Rate Anomaly Detection System?

Alongside the software restrictions, GGPoker introduced a new method of identifying suspicious gameplay.

The company calls it Win-Rate Anomaly Detection, or WAD.

Traditional poker security investigations often examine unusual betting patterns, collusion, automated play, and signs of real-time assistance.

WAD adds another type of analysis.

According to the operator, its system examines decisions in relation to the opponents’ actual hidden cards.

The goal is to identify players who repeatedly make unusually accurate decisions in situations where they should not have access to that information.

How Could WAD Detect a Superuser?

Imagine a player repeatedly making unusually accurate folds against very strong hands and unusually accurate calls against bluffs.

Occasional successful decisions are normal.

However, an exceptionally consistent pattern of correct decisions against opponents’ hidden holdings could justify further review.

WAD is designed to identify such anomalies.

Nevertheless, the public announcement does not disclose the complete statistical methodology, thresholds, or independent validation results.

Therefore, readers should not treat WAD as a guaranteed method for identifying every cheater.

Can Honest Players Be Flagged?

Any statistical detection system needs to account for variance, incomplete evidence, and legitimate strategic decisions.

For example, a player can make several successful hero calls without cheating.

Likewise, an exceptionally successful tournament run does not automatically establish that the player had access to hidden cards.

GGPoker says it tested WAD against previous cases, but the announcement does not explain its complete false-positive controls or appeals procedures.

Consequently, the effectiveness and fairness of the new system will depend on how it is implemented and reviewed.

Our poker bots and real-time assistance guide explains the different threats that online poker security teams attempt to identify.

Are GGPoker’s New Security Features Mandatory?

The four new client-security features are described as optional.

That means players can choose whether to enable the announced protections, subject to the settings available in their client.

However, this choice should not be confused with the operator’s game-integrity requirements.

The policy against prohibited third-party poker software and automation tools applies independently of whether Screen Guard is enabled.

Furthermore, GGPoker’s broader Security and Ecology Policy already permits certain security checks as part of its enforcement procedures.

Therefore, opting out of a new optional feature does not exempt a player from the site’s other security rules.

What Happens If You Run Banned Software on GGPoker?

GGPoker’s Security and Ecology Policy permits penalties for confirmed violations.

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, these may include warnings, account restrictions, temporary suspensions, permanent bans, and confiscation of funds.

However, the October 15 announcement does not specify a universal automatic penalty for accidentally leaving every listed application running.

Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that one background process always triggers an instant permanent ban.

Nevertheless, the operator’s instructions are clear: fully close prohibited software before launching GGPoker.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Software Warning?

If the client displays a warning about an unauthorized application:

1. Read the warning carefully and record its exact wording.
2. Stop using the identified application during the GGPoker session.
3. Follow any instructions provided by the operator.
4. Check whether a prohibited program is running in the background.
5. Contact official GGPoker support if the message appears incorrect.
6. Keep relevant screenshots and support correspondence for reference.

Do not attempt to conceal an application, defeat security checks, or circumvent the client restrictions.

Those actions could create additional policy violations.

Will GGPoker Still Work on Windows 7 or Older macOS Versions?

The October 15 announcement also includes an upcoming change to operating-system compatibility.

GGPoker says it will end support for several older operating systems in 2027.

The operator advises users to update to at least Windows 10 or macOS 12 Monterey.

However, these represent the announced minimum versions for the transition, not a claim that every installation of those systems has the same remaining security support.

GGPoker did not provide a more precise cutoff date within 2027 in the announcement examined here.

Players using affected systems should review their upgrade options before the change takes effect.

Why Are Poker Players Criticizing the Ban?

The announcement has prompted debate within the online poker community.

In a Reddit discussion about the GGPoker PokerTracker ban, players raised concerns about losing the ability to use legitimate analysis tools while playing on other poker sites.

Some commenters also argued that independent tracking and hand-history analysis can help identify suspicious gameplay.

However, other players support stricter limitations on third-party tools because they believe those tools can create unfair advantages or additional security risks.

These positions reflect competing priorities: software freedom, game integrity, and account protection.

They are not proof that GGPoker’s decision will necessarily improve or damage game security.

PokerTracker Responds to GGPoker’s Decision

The reaction was not limited to Reddit.

In the official PokerTracker forum, a representative of the software company confirmed that PokerTracker should be closed before GGPoker is launched.

The representative also disagreed with the broader restriction, emphasizing that PokerTracker does not need to interact with GGPoker during live gameplay.

That response highlights an important distinction.

A tracking tool can have legitimate uses without necessarily being permitted under every poker room’s security policy.

Ultimately, GGPoker sets the software conditions for participation on its own platform, subject to applicable law and customer agreements.

Are HUDs Disappearing From Online Poker?

The GGPoker decision reflects a broader shift in how some poker rooms approach third-party tracking software.

Some operators prefer limiting external tools to protect recreational players and reduce automated assistance.

Others continue allowing certain HUDs under specific conditions.

However, these approaches can change as technology and security concerns develop.

Our best online poker HUDs guide examines common tracking tools and why players must check individual poker-room rules before using them.

Does GGPoker’s New Policy Affect Streamers and Content Creators?

The change may affect some poker streamers because their production setups can include multiple applications running simultaneously.

For example, a streamer may use broadcasting software, table-management tools, hotkeys, or screen-sharing applications.

However, these categories should not all be treated as automatically identical.

GGPoker expressly prohibits its listed poker utilities and automation tools while the game client is open.

Meanwhile, the optional Screen Guard feature is designed to prevent protected windows from being captured by recording and screen-sharing software.

Therefore, content creators should review the current streaming requirements and test permitted setups rather than assuming their previous workflow remains compliant.

The new announcement does not provide a complete approval list for every application commonly used by broadcasters.

How to Prepare Your Computer for the New GGPoker Rules

Players who regularly use multiple poker applications should review their setup before the next session.

However, there is no need to make drastic changes without understanding the actual restrictions.

Practical Pre-Session Checklist

For players who use GGPoker and other poker sites, the simplest way to avoid the new simultaneous-software conflict is to separate sessions requiring prohibited tools from sessions running GGPoker.

However, this is general compliance guidance, not a guarantee that every other program is permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GGPoker PokerTracker Ban

Is PokerTracker 4 allowed on GGPoker in 2026?

No. GGPoker’s October 15 announcement explicitly prohibits running PokerTracker 4 alongside its game client.

Can I run PokerTracker for PokerStars while playing GGPoker?

No. GGPoker’s new instruction is to fully close the prohibited software before launching the client, even if you intend to use it for another poker room.

Can I use Holdem Manager 3 with GGPoker?

No. Holdem Manager 3 is explicitly included in the prohibited-software list.

Is Hand2Note banned on GGPoker?

Yes. Hand2Note is among the applications GGPoker names in its new policy.

Do I have to uninstall PokerTracker completely?

The announcement does not establish a general uninstall requirement. However, PokerTracker must not be running alongside the GGPoker client.

Can I use PokerTracker after closing GGPoker?

PokerTracker’s developers describe post-session hand-history study as still possible. However, any third-party import method must also comply with GGPoker’s data-use and sharing policies.

Can I download my GGPoker hand histories?

Yes. GGPoker permits players to download their own eligible hand histories through PokerCraft for personal offline review, subject to the operator’s rules.

Is Equilab banned on GGPoker?

Yes. GGPoker explicitly includes Equilab in the list of prohibited applications that must be closed before launching the poker client.

Is AutoHotkey allowed?

GGPoker specifically named AutoHotkey in the new prohibition on third-party poker software and automation tools. Players should not leave it running alongside the client without explicit authorization.

What is GGPoker Screen Guard?

Screen Guard is an optional security feature designed to prevent protected poker tables and other selected client windows from appearing in screenshots, recordings and remote-viewing sessions.

Can I stream GGPoker using OBS?

The announcement does not provide a universal OBS compatibility ruling. Screen Guard is designed to block protected content from capture, so streamers should review current broadcasting rules and ask GGPoker about compliant setups.

What is GGPoker WAD?

WAD stands for Win-Rate Anomaly Detection. It is a new monitoring method intended to identify players whose decisions appear unusually accurate relative to opponents’ hidden cards.

Can GGPoker ban an account for using third-party software?

Yes. Its Security and Ecology Policy allows penalties for confirmed violations, potentially including suspension, permanent bans and confiscation of funds. However, the penalty depends on the specific circumstances.

Will GGPoker support Windows 7 in 2027?

No. GGPoker announced that support for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and macOS 11 or earlier will end in 2027.

Where can I check the latest GGPoker software rules?

Players should consult GGPoker’s official Security and Ecology Policy together with the October 15 security announcement, particularly if an older help page describes less restrictive software rules.

Final Thoughts: What GGPoker’s New Software Ban Means

The GGPoker PokerTracker ban represents a significant policy change for online poker players who rely on tracking tools and multitabling utilities.

On October 15, 2026, GGPoker announced that PokerTracker 4, Holdem Manager 3, Hand2Note, Jurojin, and numerous other applications must be fully closed before players launch its client.

However, the decision is part of a wider security update rather than a standalone software restriction.

The operator also introduced optional Screen Guard and connection-monitoring features, expanded its approach to detecting unusually accurate gameplay, and announced plans to discontinue support for older operating systems.

These changes follow a security incident involving compromised third-party poker utilities and unauthorized screen access.

Nevertheless, the new policy raises legitimate questions about how players can continue studying poker and using tracking tools for other sites.

For now, the clearest practical guidance is to avoid running explicitly prohibited software alongside GGPoker, use the operator’s official hand-history tools, and seek clarification before relying on external import or study workflows.

The most important distinction is this: GGPoker has banned specified third-party poker applications from running alongside its client, not announced that every form of legitimate poker study must stop.

As GGPoker and software developers clarify the new rules, players should monitor official announcements and adjust their setups accordingly.