I had been using an app on my phone called Solver+ for pre-flop ranges.
Recently though I realised that GTOWizard was free for pre-flop ranges. I expected that the two sets of ranges would be similar but I noticed dramatic differences between the two.

Many of those differences make sense to me - GTOW doesn't open baby pocket pairs or smaller suited connectors from early position.

However one that doesn't is that GTOW has a flatting range from the SB.

Here's SB's actions when facing a BTN open in 25nl rake structure:



So, for example A10s is almost a pure call in this scenario according to GTOW. (For the record Solver+ only has 3bet or fold from the SB in this scenario)

GTOW also has flatting ranges for the CO when facing early position opens too. Here's CO facing a HJ open:



This time AJs is almost a pure call.

Can anyone explain why GTOW is recommending having a flatting range at all in these positions?

It seems intuitively bad to me since it leaves us open to being squeezed by players left to act who will have position on us post-flop.


(I realise that there's a GTOW thread in the software forum but it doesn't appear to be very active and this seems like a GTO/Theory type question anyway)

Because they're +ev?

See my answer here:

https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/s...82&postcount=2


The concept that you should only 3-bet or fold from these other positions is a simplification - a myth. If you give the solver the option to call these spots - it will usually develop a calling range.

That doesn't mean that you need to have cold-calls here. 3-bet/fold from most positions is a perfectly playable strategy that loses very little EV. But it's not the only strategy.

If you prefer to practice a strategy that employs the 3b/fold simplification, then I'd recommend switching over to the Simple Solutions:



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Reverse your question. Why wouldn't you have a cold-calling range? After all, you have a calling range in most other spots in poker.

Check out the MTT solutions. You'll note that there is a significant cold-calling range everywhere. For example, check out how wide HJ calls this LJ open:



You can infer from this that removing the rake and adding an ante has incentivized you to start cold-calling from every position.

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Let's try another example. Here I'm showing the chipEV (rakeless) 6max cash solutions. There are NO antes in this one. LJ opens, action on HJ: Again, you'll see that HJ has plenty of cold-calls. Same with every other seat.

.

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The main takeaway here is that cold-calling is a natural part of the GTO strategy.

Having cold calls allows you to play a wider range of hands profitably, polarize your 3-betting range, and the opener's uncapped range shields you from the threat of being squeezed too often.

Obviously, it's unnecessary in most low-stake cash games, as solvers have shown that simplifying to 3-bet or fold is a fine simplification, but that's all it is - a simplification.

Thanks very much for that explanation. That all made perfect sense - both as to the theory and also the GTOW settings.

Top notch!


I have a follow up question.

GTOW 3bets with a significantly larger size in comparison to the SB vs IP openers ( for a BTN 2.5bb open it's 13.5bb vs 11bb).

This seems to be the case in both Simple and General modes. Why is it recommending that BB bets so much more?

My guess is that it's something to do with BB having a smaller but polar 3beeting range due to a lot of the medium strength hands being in its large calling zone.

Is that it or is there more to it than that?

some hands are to strong to turn into bluffs to strong to fold and not strong enough to value 3bet. AT is one of those hands