I have mixed feelings about bumping a 6-year old thread. (Actually was considering curating a list of links to these threads for LLSNL.) But this was worth replying to.
1. I think this whole thread was just before Miller's
The Course came out. Ed writes so much about exploiting $2-5 nits in that book that I think that would now be the best recommendation for someone in a similar spot to this 2015 OP. More tailored to this sort of game than
Poker's 1%.
2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by au4all
Listen to Doug Polk's interview after playing the playing the near-GTO bot in a match.
He claims that it's better and put him into more difficult spots than his typical high-stakes opponents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L10zaLtUabY
If it put him into difficult spots, it'll put your weak (or good) LLSNL Villains into difficult spots as well.
I agree that GTO will theoretically put your opponents into "tough spots." If you could somehow play like a GTO bot, and Doug Polk showed up in your $1-3 or $2-5 game, you'd still be putting him in tough spots in HU or maybe 3-way pots.
The opportunity cost is that your $1-3 or $2-5 opponents are already making tough spots for themselves by misplaying not-very-tough spots. The classic: very few players bluff enough on the river (btw many those who do are overbluffing). Maybe they should bet 30% of bad hands if checked to but instead they bet 5%. When they bet big OTR, you should fold all your bluff catchers -- the exploitative fold.
So... GTO says you put them in "tough spots" by calling at the correct frequency so that they're indifferent to betting or giving up. But they don't care. They've created a "tough spot" by hemorrhaging EV, even though psychologically it's very easy to not bluff because you never feel shame about getting caught.
When they bet big, you make the exploitative fold. Are you putting them in an "easy spot"? Couldn't they print money by bluffing you all the time? Of course. But who cares if they don't exploit it?