Hi all,

Just wanting opinions. At what level would you say players need to start to explore gto play?

I've recently seen it said that at nl10 players need to have an understanding of it. I can only imagine it's to better exploit/spot bad frequencies rather than being forced to play in a gto manner 🤷*♂️

Thanks for any input.


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I think it's about understanding your opponent's mistakes, or a lack thereof.

If you don't know any of the players, you have some options:

a) assume everyone is really bad at poker until proven otherwise.

b) assume everyone is slightly bad at poker until proven otherwise.

c) assume everyone is ok at poker until proven otherwise.

d) assume everyone is good at poker until proven otherwise.

e) assume everyone is really good at poker until proven otherwise.

The further down the list you go, the less you need to know about theory.

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If you know some of the players but not all, you have a ton of options. You need to consider not just your own metagame factors due to your history, but the way the other players should be expected to react to each other. So in a three way hand as player A vs B vs C, you also need to consider the metagame stuff going on between players B and C. Maybe they already know each other or maybe not. Who knows?

If you know all of the players, you have even more options. You're in a prime position to exploit and not doing so would be leaving lots of money on the table. For example vs overaggressive players that are bluff heavy, I'll just about never bet fold a thin value hand when heads up. I either check and or call, or I bet call. Vs these players I save my bet folds for my weaker semibluffs, which are also less numerous than they would be vs a less aggressive opponent. Some would argue that this is exploitable, and I admit that it is, however poker players are creatures of habit. Those that can recognize the proper counter exploit are few, while those that can execute the proper exploit without falling back into their habits are even fewer.

Thank you very much for a detailed response. Salient points all understandably presented.


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Game theory/nash equilibrium is mostly applicable in off-table work and figuring out spots with certain hand combos, usually in game you should have population reads + bayes theorem (if ur playing live).

Actually game theory is applicable in game as well mostly in regards to combos and the spots that you've figured out like i mentioned above, i've seen so many thread posts about this same generic topic sort of "lol" cause there are some pretty good responses in some of the threads only if u search through them on here.

I am new to GTO, and do not consider myself a GTO player, at all. However, understanding balance and getting a feel for equilibrium can only enhance an exploit player. To exploit, you must have a greater understanding of the true value of a position versus your prey. Thus, GTO is worthwhile to study for any player at any stake.


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Thanks guys that's my take on it too.


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