How much value is learning Game Theory Optimal (GTO) for a recreational player?

[BentleyBoy]

There are many observations (broadly and in this thread) that for micro / low stakes poker that GTO is of little value.

However, consider this, you decide to learn to drive a car just so that once a month you can drive to the out of town super store and make some great savings on larger items that you can’t get from the store just a walk away along the road.

Do you learn everything about how to drive safely, or just a few things and hope for the best? ( Responses really don’t need to go into any details at all about not needing to know how a split differential or a fuel injection system works in order to drive safely etc., you do need to understand how other road users behave though!)

When playing poker, (and in reality, in most things in life) it is always better and an advantage to ones self to have as much knowledge , understanding and practical application of the relevant information that is available to assist you to make the best decisions.

In relation to GTO, What is equally important is that by having knowledge that most recreational players (according to this thread at the very least) have no idea about GTO (either it’s existence or its application) should be a trigger to get to learn it. At the very least to gain some understanding of why your opponents do what they do and how to use this tool as part of your armoury to exploit those players ( who also are probably not fully aware of why they play the way they play).

So, in short, understanding of GTO can be of benefit and value to recreational players.

Best wishes.

Damo

 

[Igor G]

I think knowledge will never be superfluous even for a recreational player. Personally, I learned about GTO a long time ago and it really helped me become better.

 

[Mr.$t0k]

i think gto help us to play good poker game and we can learn gto strategy

 

[lilpotato]

It is very important. You must have information on your opponents to play well against them, even if you are not playing GTO, recognizing your opponent is playing GTO and adjusting your decisions based on that is important for anyone playing poker for money.

 

[finaltable1]

I don't think that GTO is usefull for recreational players who play at low stakes, cause it works well against opponents who also understand concepts of GTO, and such players stay at mid-high stakes. However as part of educational process studying GTO is quite useful, if you have enough time for it. Online solver is quite a useful tool, cause you don't have to study much, just play 1-2 tables and run your current table situation in solver to see the GTO optimisation of your next move.

 

[riff_raff312]

I'm not really sure what GTO would do for me in a game or for that matter any who is not big at math lol. Anyway it would probably be easier to learn how to count cards .

 

[seiya1989]

If you only play poker because you like it as a recreation and you don't care if you lose or win some money, you don't need to learn any theory. But if you want to earn some money regularly then you should definitely study and buy a program that is not very expensive.

 

[VictorOd]

I'd say, a lot of value, it's an interesting useful theory. Not a rocket science, but not easy either. And then I thought, maybe this is a good case to use generative AI. I made few requests and received a great detailed answer that could not verbalize ever by myself.

Benefits of Learning GTO for a Recreational Player

1. Improved Decision Making: GTO helps make balanced, less exploitable decisions.
2. Understanding Opponents: Identifies and exploits opponents' deviations from GTO.
3. Enhanced Skills: Improves analytical skills and poker understanding.
4. Confidence and Discipline: Instills discipline and reduces emotional tilt.

Drawbacks and Considerations​

1. Complexity and Time Investment: GTO is complex and requires significant study.
2. Recreational Enjoyment: Heavy focus on GTO may reduce game enjoyment.
3. Limited Utility at Lower Stakes: Exploitative play can be more profitable than strict GTO at lower stakes.

Balanced Approach​

1. Basic GTO Concepts: Learn fundamentals like bet sizing, pot odds, and hand ranges.
2. Exploitative Play: Combine basic GTO knowledge with exploiting common opponent mistakes.
3. Focus on Fun and Learning: Balance skill improvement with game enjoyment.

Conclusion​

Mastering GTO might be excessive, but understanding basic GTO concepts is valuable for better decision-making and improved play while maintaining the fun of the game.

 

[billibooo]

I have not found a draw to GTO theory. I figure if everyone is playing that way...I will try a different approach. Whether it is right or wrong, that is what I think I am very recreational

 

[mammadduke]

I really don’t see any value in studying it for playing online poker . it’s different when you’re playing live on a table.

 

[amitmanchanda]

It is some value because it will improve your skills, but it is not easy for recreational players to memorize all the charts and situations. Playing one or two situations correctly will not yield results. To yield results you need to play the complete hands like GTO which is extremely difficult for recreational players as said by Daniel N too.

 

[Nokaut men 1997]

We all know that nothing is a guarantee of success in playing poker. GTO is a waste of time for amateur players like me who play free or micro stake online tournaments. I have no intention of studying GTO.

 

[19aleks57]

Any player needs to know the GTO poker strategy as the basis of the game of poker and adjust it to his playing style, in the end there will be a good result.

 

[Flyer35]

The general consensus seems to be that for a "recreational player" there is no particular need to "study" GTO. But purely from a desire to learn all that you can about the game, and to prepare for the time when your game does take off into the big leagues - absolutely! Knowledge is power.

The Beginner's Guide to GTO Poker

GTO stands for Game Theory Optimal. 888poker clarifies its meaning and application for beginners to find out how to use it and what strategies to apply.

www.888poker.com

 

[GarotoMaroto]

Its a lot of value XD
Its basically the best whey to play without being exploitable
So being a pro or a recreational player you will make more money then if you dont know
God bless

 

[Gh0stL]

I think is good, because you can take advantage for this and win more.
Good luck.

 

[VVi10]

In my opnion everything will depends on your goals. If you wanna make real money by playing poker knowing a little about strategy is always a good thing. GTO is a good tool that teaches the optimal strategies for poker and how to have the best advantage possible in your game.
Knowledge is always helpful.

 

[Gary_Heart]

For a recreational player - is it worth it to study GTO?

IMHO: No it is not essential.

However; It is always more fun to win - right?
And I suppose you could study until your brain is so full of logistical calculations and odds that you just can't loose - Right?
And wow - you follow all the teachings and all that studying actually works -
Your way ahead on every street - AND THEN COMES THE RIVER - BAM - ANOTHER SUCKOUT takes the pot

Maybe - because you have studied until you are blue in the face - you think to yourself - true odds will eventually prevail

Myself; I play for fun - serious fun - I dabble to learn poker strategy as I go along
But actually if every one is playing by the 'books' then the true poker game is up for grabs.

Good Luck All, Gary

 

[WhiskeyFix]

Absolutely it helped me understand my equity in hands
taught me to utilize playing with lower suited hands
& bet sizing

GTO trainers can really help

 

[Claudiunm]

I think it depends on what kind of gaming you get into. If you play medium and high Buyins games I think it's worth it. Now, if you play freerolls and micro buyins I don't think it's worth it because their games are all shootouts.

 

[Station_Master]

If you want to get better at poker, then yes it helps to learn some GTO. The important thing is to understand why a solver takes a certain line rather than trying to memorize strategies

 

[x patrice x]

I'm a fan of investing a lot of time in the game and less in theory. Dealing with and internalizing the value of starting hands should be enough for now. The experience value increases from hand to hand. If you think you've reached your limit and your game isn't moving you up the ranks, it might be time to take another look at the theory.

 

[Kinalha]

I'll admit that I've never even tried to learn GTO as part of my toolbox for playing poker. For a recreational player like myself, is it worth it to study GTO?

GTO works with vol. If you gonna play one time or another rarely gonna work for you. IMO it's better to understand the field of you're playing than GTO with a low vol.

 

[Margo17]

I think studying theory won't be the best option for those who play lower buys, because it will be a much more exploitative game, but it's always good to know something about theory.

 

[John A]

Here's some truth I don't hear people say about GTO play:

I studied ranges and equity of those ranges many years back, and played the highest stakes online for a few years. When GTO play started to creep in, I checked many spots w/ a solver, and was never really surprised by any of its answers. There's never been a spot I've looked at and gone... oh, wow, I was doing that totally wrong.

The truth is, as long as you understand how your population is playing, in terms of their range, you should play to exploit their errors. When you build any decent sample of history against another regular in your game, you should start mixing in more checks with the very top and very bottom of your made hand range.

That's it. That's all you really have to do. People make it more complicated than it is because once pro's starting doing something, everyone in the poker community tend to follow w/o fully thinking it through. I've been around long enough to see this happen over and over. I've coached long enough to also know that even winning poker players can't follow history well enough for you to be giving up some EV to fully balance your range. You just need to do it every so often against the best regs in your games that you have decent hand sample sizes on.