Solving problems is similar to learning how to drive, with guidance and step-by-step instruction.
Ready to dive into the guts of GTO, focusing on how ambitious players at the micro, low, and even some mid-stakes can leverage solvers and GTO strategies wisely? Remember this: always take solvers with a grain of salt and a hefty dose of real-world insights.
Let's sort through the chaos of opinions out there. Some say "GTO is unnecessary," while others argue, "You can't crush without GTO." I'm here to offer you the sweet spot – the right balance of GTO and relatable gameplay space.
First, I have to confess my skepticism about GTO in many situations, but I get it – knowing unexploitable play can come in handy when applied correctly. But beware, there are plenty of coaches out there who simply don't get it, and their students suffer the consequences. They teach GTO as an irrelevant concept, protocol, or something like that.
You might wonder, "Ben, but you always say GTO isn't needed!"
Well, no, I never said that! I've voiced my concerns over how GTO is taught and applied by many. But consider this – how do you plan to identify your opponents' weaknesses and build exploits if you don't first understand the fundamental thing - the theoretically correct baseline strategy?
So, let me show you how to unleash the power of solvers.
Early in one's career, a solver can be a mega-boost or a crippling mistake. For experienced players and high-stakes regs, it's an incredibly powerful weapon when used in tandem with common sense and practical knowledge. They can contextualize the solver's recommendations within real-life game scenarios and discern which strategic advice will beneficial and which will just hurt.
Pro tip: Use a solver alongside fellow experienced players and pick their brains. But always question what's on the table – how realistic the solver's advice seems, what conclusions you can draw, and what exploits follow.
For some reason, low-stakes players and newbies think they can master poker using only a solver. Newsflash: The most effective way to master any game is by communicating with a knowledgeable and superior player who elucidates a well-balanced strategy and explains the why's and why not's behind it.
Imagine if your math teacher only wrote the solution on the chalkboard and skipped all the steps. Can you excel in that way? Nope! Poker's the same way.
To truly nail poker, you'll need knowledge transfer from a friend or coach, or possibly a poker course that explains a balanced strategy and contextualizes it accurately.
Naturally, some will cry:
"Of course, COURSES, Ben, you're selling them!"
Relax, I don't give a hoot what works for you. Watch my free YouTube videos, subscribe to Upswing Poker content, or hire a good coach. My sole goal is for you to finally grasp the complexities of poker, from why we raise certain hands, why we 3-bet, why we bluff, and so forth. Most of you blindly stumble through decisions, hopping from one simulation to another, thinking you're growing as players. If you're not seeing this now, hopefully, you will soon.
Now, right about now, I can almost hear your brain clicking as you make the connections and wonder: "But how do I do that without significant playtime or deep knowledge?"
Well, that's why you need someone to explain how to apply the GTO strategy to real-life situations, not just what it is. Only then can you significantly upgrade your game.
In some situations, you should never bluff at all. The solver assumes your bluff will fold many top pairs, but in reality, they won't, so don't bluff.
In others, bluff with anything, because you've won an incredibly profitable runout, and your opponent needs to bluff-catch with weak hands to keep up with your over-bluff.
Here's the kicker: in the Pairrd ICM section, we have a special category called "exploitative." This is where we discuss final table scenarios with opponents who deviate from GTO play. We cover scenarios of excess looseness or tightness, where you must dramatically adjust your strategy to punish such opponents for even the smallest deviations from theory.
At the micro and low-stakes, you'll face weak players. To prepare, you'll spend time with solvers and GTO issues. But the advice to abandon GTO entirely is appropriate only in situations where you face particularly weak opponents. However, if you notice your opponent should fold many top pairs to make your river bluff profitable, it could be a goldmine. Learning about those spots can allow you to adapt and conquer. Use nodelocking and force your opponent to fold top pairs more often than the solver suggests – suddenly, all your bluffs become unprofitable, leaving you with only value bets.
Remember, the solver is only a tool – a means to an end. The success lies in integrating intellectual curiosity to use the solver effectively and find those margins for profit in the real world.
If you'd rather spend your time with attractive percentages in solving tasks, that's cool too. My goal is for you to stop spinning in solvers but start pushing chips into the pot – 'cause that's what matters at the end of the day.
To successfully learn poker, don't just copy the solver's output. You need an experienced player by your side to connect the dots and help you learn from the solver's results.
And, for the record, I don't like critics. So, if you have any, tell 'em to shove it! You can find my work elsewhere, but I stand by this approach because it works – and that's all that matters.
In poker, brain power is everything. Don't let yourself become a three-barrel victim of an inexperienced Joe with second pairs who'll call you down for hundreds of big blinds, then complain about unprofitable bluffs. Be smarter – there are plenty of such spots out there.
I sell a course because I believe working with the course materials is the best way to learn. For the same reasons, we didn't develop a solver. We could have, but I stick to the approach that worked 10 years ago – and it still works today at all stakes.
Yes, this approach makes my decisions more vulnerable to criticism. Many of my actions might not pass the solver test. But so be it – they help me win money. That's what counts.
Here's the bottom line – use your brain with the solver, not the solver instead of your brain. Or find someone more experienced who can show you how to do this and set you on your way. Have a great weekend, folks!
- To master poker, instead of relying solely on solvers, seek knowledge transfer from a friend, coach, or poker course that explains a well-balanced strategy and its context.
- In some situations, apply the GTO strategy to real-life scenarios, but recognize its limitations and adapt when necessary to exploit opponents' weaknesses.
- At the micro and low-stakes, use the solver to address GTO issues, but understand its suggestions should not be blindly followed; instead, use your own judgement and critical thinking to find profitable margins in the real world.
- For successful poker learning, don't just copy solver output—require an experienced player to help connect the dots and make sense of the solver's results.
- Embrace technology, but don't let it replace critical thinking. Instead, use solvers as a tool to complement your own intellect, allowing you to excel beyond the confines of static theory and adapt to the dynamic world of poker.
