Understanding The Game Theory Optimal Strategy Of Poker Online

 If you have been playing online poker for a while and have decided to play the game a little seriously, then you must have come across the term ‘GTO’. As the title says, it stands for ‘Game Theory Optimal’ and it is a strategy of poker applied by players whose goal is to maximise their profits without exploiting their opponents any more than what’s absolutely necessary. Let's explain the poker tips and tricks with regards to what this strategy entails and if this is the one for you when you get on the table.

GTO & Others

When you play poker online, there are two ways you can go about to improve your stats as a poker player:

 

(A) Exploitative: This strategy of poker is applied by players who want to improve their EV (Expected Value) in any game by attacking their opponents’ weak points and countering their sub-optimal plays. This is a double-edged sword, however, as you also open yourself to be exploited. Hence, this play only works against weaker opponents.

 

(B) GTO (Game Theory Optimal): Scenario two, you have made a poker app download and have opted for a defensive strategy of poker. Here you want to lie low and play making gains derived from other players making mistakes. It includes bluffs and semi-bluffs mixed with value bets, making the correct bet size, and much more.

 

Introduction to Game Theory Optimal

 

Most poker players are a victim to a number of prejudices while applying a few poker tricks. Our decision to either call a bet or fold depends on live reads, history with our opponent, and few other factors. To deal with this, there are computer programs called ‘poker solvers’ that use a mathematical and systematic approach to devise the perfect strategy to win, called Game Theory Optimal.

 

This begins with the pre-flop play, where the solver will tell you to raise certain hands with a certain frequency, no matter who your opponent is. For instance; a solver will advise you to 3-bet certain hands 7 out of 10 times and fold 3 out of 10 times before the flop when facing a raise.

 

GTO Strategies on Plays

 

Initially, GTO strategy of poker seems random and counter-intuitive. It is anything but that. It may not be apparent at first, but every decision the solver makes is based on comprehensive math and logic. Solvers take many factors such as pot odds, implied odds, reverse-implied odds, and much more. If you apply GTO strategy perfectly, you will no longer have to worry about your opponents’ decisions and their hand ranges. Your play will be unexploitable and your defences impregnable.

 

How to Balance Your Bet Size?

 

Applying GTO means playing a balanced game. This includes balancing your bet sizes. To keep your opponents guessing, you will have to base your bet sizes sometimes as bluffs, and sometimes as value bets. Although GTO will recommend you to value bet most of the times, this does not mean bluffing won’t be involved. In fact, a player incorporating GTO will bluff more often than an exploitive player because most people under bluff.

 

GTO vs Exploitative

 

The reason behind GTO poker tricks being better is because your game will be unexploitable. But the disadvantage is that you will also not be able to exploit your opponents' mistakes. Although you will be able to cash in on your opponents’ mistakes, it will not be as big as that of an exploitative player.

 

In the short run exploitive plays are more effective. However, if your opponent has a fair bit of knowledge about poker, this play can lead you into a position where you end up being the one getting exploited. Exploitive plays are more fun and will ruin newbies while the GTO will last even against the best.

Also Read: Poker RNG Algorithms & Online Safety Protocols