GTO Foundations

What GTO means, Nash equilibrium intro, and why it matters for your game.

GTO (Game Theory Optimal) is a strategy that cannot be exploited — it is the theoretically perfect equilibrium of poker. No matter what your opponent does, a true GTO player cannot be exploited for profit over time.

In practice, no human plays perfectly GTO. But studying GTO solutions teaches you why certain plays work, improving your intuition across all situations — even ones you've never studied.

GTO vs Exploitative — when to use each

GTO approach

Unknown opponents. High-stakes games where opponents study. Prevents being exploited.

Exploitative approach

Known weak opponents. Clear leaks to target. Maximises profit vs specific player types.

Nash equilibrium: At equilibrium, neither player can improve their outcome by changing strategy unilaterally. In poker, this means your bluff frequency makes opponents indifferent to calling or folding — and their calling frequency makes you indifferent to bluffing or giving up.