This is my first thread so hello everyone! Happy to be part of this forum these posts are incredible.


Anyway, I'm a 1-2 NL player, I'd consider myself a decent player and I study the game through training sites and reading forums as well as a very basic utilization and understanding of equilab. My question is very general, what would you guys recommend for study routines/habits? Looking to hit the "books" as hard as I hit the tables. Also my raise sizing is something I've been experimenting with, I've heard anywhere from 2.5-5x. I stick to 4, and add one Bb per limper depending on table dynamics and such. Also, at LLSNL is the better approach GTO or exploitative???? Obviously I know that all depends on players and table dynamic as well but just as a general rule? The training site I'm a part of is definitely geared heavily towards the GTO approach. Thanks ahead of time for any and all replies.

The short answer is know what the GTO play is, then based on villain's in the hand you adjust if there is an exploit you can make.

Which training site you on? I can tell since you asked if GTO is better for LLSNL that you have no idea what GTO is. The answer to that is hell no. I generally do 5x from EP and the first middle position, 4x on HJ and CO, 3.5x ish on BTN. With limpers I don't strictly do + 1x like I used to. Depends on how the table is and whether I want to just take it down or whether I want some value. I think I'm still too rigid and need to adjust more based on the strength of my hand, the relative position of certain players and who limped. LLSNL villains will not notice. I'm on facebook more than half the time I'm not in a pot cause even though I'm supposed to be paying attention, watching bad players play poker is boring af. Your villains probably feel that way too.

Don't do this.

GTO play vs bad players is a recipe for disaster, and you make 99% of your money against bad players in LLSNL. Eg Stacks are usually too shallow and fold buttons are nonexistent.

Read every book from Ed Miller and J Little.

@HomelessPizza, Mr. Spyntastic did NOT say "understand what GTO play is so that you make the best GTO play under each circumstance." He said: "...know what the GTO play is, then based on V[s] in the hand you adjust if there is an exploit you can make."

You see, if there is no way to exploit your V[s] weak links in a particular situation, what else are you left to do? However.........when it comes to finding yourself in situations where you V[s] in LLSNL Hold 'Em poker, don't have a way to exploit: LMMFAO!

So, I've never bothered putting in the TON of hours necessary to understand GTO play. That time has been spent learning the math & how best to play the type players you find yourself against. I rely on my ability to be able to range a player & use that & the math to exploit.

DISCLAIMER: I have averaged 1400 hrs a year playing LLSNL Hold 'Em since July 2014 & my win-rate is NOT 10BBs+ over the last 1500 hrs, so I am not a Crusher.

P.S. @ HomelessPizza, Your name reminds me of my two favorite poker player jokes:

What do you call a Rounder after his girlfriend breaks up with him?.............................................. ....Homeless

How do you get a Rounder off of your front porch?.........................................pay him for the pizza.

? Did you even read my comment?

Where did I say to use GTO vs bad players.

I said it's important to know the GTO lines and adjust accordingly. I.e. never bluff fish and 3 bet linearly, not polarized, etc.

Upswing.

Welcome to the forum, OP. Unfortunately, this is too many different subjects for one thread, and several of them have been discussed many times in this forum. I'm going to lock this up, but I'll include some links here to threads about your questions. Please feel free to bump those threads or start new ones if there's a particular issue you think needs its own thread. One subject per thread though, please.

Study links: https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...poker-1229197/
https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...lysis-1557357/

Raise sizing: https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...-much-1158380/

Understanding GTO (and no, it is not optimal for LLSNL): https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...heory-1478991/