Global Poker Index CEO Alexandre Dreyfus speaks to Lee Davy about why he would like to see Heads Up Displays removed from Twitch streams before the scare away the recreational players.

I don’t play a lot of online poker tournaments. I don’t have time. Online cash games…now that’s a different kettle of fish, however, I don’t play them either because a lot of my opponents have their computer screens decked out like a SpaceX launch controllers.

Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) offer a huge edge to those who part with the cash. They have become such an integral part of our game that there are coaches who teach online poker strategy by the numbers. I hired one back in the day, and that knowledge earned me a decent chunk of change, so I know first-hand the benefit they can bring.

The problem with HUDs is whilst someone is benefiting, there is someone else who isn’t. The people on the sharp end of the stick are generally the recreational players. Online poker rooms are moving towards a recreational player model en masse. They don’t want these people beaten with that stick.