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

[Gallarado777]

Of course, you need to learn GTO and know how to play because in difficult poker situations you simply won't know how to play right, and here's GTO to know how to roughly play in such situations, the main thing is to remember that you will not play GTO in tournaments but will stick to it

 

[bablovod]

I haven't read much about playing right and wrong, it seems to be lightly armed. I took an interesting CC course, but reflexes and brain impulses don't want to tune in to GTO recommendations.
but I'll still say GTO - YES

 

[ammje]

Any help is good, it doesn't matter if you are a recreational player, or if you play micro limits, if you study everything you have at hand, you can quickly stop being a recreational player.

 

[RENEY444]

I doubt that a 'recreational player' has the time or inclination to learn GTO .There is way too much info to absorb, and its very confusing . A near photgraphic memory might be needed to really get it all ! .Of course its worth undestanding some of it , as every little improvement will be an advantage , but studying psychology, mannerisms and your own behavior could be just as useful .

 

[Gdefender]

When I started playing poker , a friend of mine showed me the table, but I hadn't dealt with it yet.....Then I realized later that I think it's important to learn the table, because without it, you go into the pot with a lot of unnecessary hands... ..so I consider it absolutely necessary to use cards learned from different positions, thus avoiding a lot of limping.....

 

[BetterThanAvgButNotByMuch]

If it works for you then go for it especially if it helps you get a better understanding of a poker concept.

I'm against it because most people will be playing against mediocre opponents at best.

And that system isn't tailored to them. You have to figure out how to beat those weaker opponents that you're playing.

There are other simpler ideas to work on before getting to that is my point where you need something like that.

 

[Marshmalo1994]

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?

I think that for a recreational players it worth at least to learn about preflop ranges.
I'm using the free version of GTO wizard. Do you use any?

 

[ledsmith]

If you are serious about poker, then I think training will not be superfluous for you, as in any other serious matter. I don't take it seriously myself, so I don't waste time on theories, but I haven't made much money playing poker in so many years.

 

[Atararo14]

I think GTO is not important to apply to micro buy-ins because there are a lot of weak players to exploit.

So the exploitative game is more profitable than playing GTO in micro buy-ins.

 

[Luvepoker]

If your really just a recreational player its not really necessary but if you really want to improve you game getting a understanding in GTO is smart. Its not about playing in that way but understanding the depth of the game. Many players will say if i learn this strategy I should be a winning player but that's not how it works to be honest. You must adjust to how the table and other players are playing even if using the theory.

Some will say it wont work at lower stakes. I disagree. I use it at any and all stakes. Does it work? Yes it does and no it don't. As I said its a understanding and one you have a better understanding it works well, you just don't follow the charts.

 

[ms_attack]

In any case, it is not wrong to know this GTO. Even if many recreational players have never heard of it and therefore won't play it. You can only apply it to your own game and improve as a result. If you know it, it is definitely an advantage and will take your own game to a new level. But you can't just rely on it, often it is also necessary to study your opponents and adapt your game to them.

 

[antonis32123]

None . No value at all . Especially if we are talking for very low stakes , micro or nano stakes , then definitely there is no reason to master GTO strategies . Not that this would be a bad thing, Imran for fun , of you have time to invest then why not . But generally there is no meaning to master GTO , only of you are a pro or a very serious reg who wants to play higher stakes successfully.

 

[zorro222_zorro222]

Learning GTO will help your poker game but I think if you just want to stay as a semi-recreational player and only play micro limits and/or against other semi-recreational players, the benefits will be small. Playing GTO is optimal against other players that are playing GTO but less so if they are not, for example when GTO says you should 3-bet A5 a certain percentage of the time in a certain situation, it assumes your opponents are playing GTO and their ranges are based on that, but if they aren't 3 betting A5 in that spot is not optimal. That being said, learning GTO will still help your poker game and will probably introduce some poker theory that you never considered before.

 

[iwont20]

These players are invincible to GTO.

Sorry for laughing, Ylan! I agree with your post, but I just loved this part ☝️☝️☝️ of it, it is such a funny masterpiece

 

[Gutshot Gus]

we play freerolls and micro stakes poker, I don't even have a toolbox much less want to learn GTO to put in it.
recreational poker and GTO don't even go together unless you wanna drive a nice GTO to the poker room
most already play GTO in our forum games, just bet and "Guess The Outcome".
if you plan to make a living at poker or play high stakes I would suggest you learn every angle including GTO

As far as I am concerned Jay hit the bullseye.

I am just a small time rec player passing the time and trying to have a little fun along the way.

I looked into the world of GTO and actually made up charts and colored them. They looked good and had absolutely no appeal for me.

If I were serious and wanted to step it up and play the higher limits the GTO would be nice. I really enjoy things the way that they are and intend to stay and play in my low limit/freeroll world.

 

[ScooperNova]

GTO is in no way necessary for recreational players to learn. Learning however, is ALWAYS a good idea. We do have more fun when we win, right? That said, I don't think recs should worry themselves with running solvers and deep study. Being aware of basic GTO principles however will go a long way.

 

[Rijckenborg]

I will give GTO some reading as it seem to be a good tool to make better decision, a guideline.

 

[Gritz18]

For a recreational player like myself, is it worth it to study GTO?

I don't even know what this GTO is,🤷‍♂️ could it be a new game from Rockstar Games?🤔😁

Now, if it's GTA, I know everything, let GTA VI come soon.😉🤣

 

[kunkgreen]

I believe it's worth it, regardless of the player's level and objective... The more knowledge on any subject, the better! Ever!

Understand why solvers are making certain bet sizes... why they are overbetting in certain spots... why they cbet more frequently on some boards, etc...

In any case, poker is a game that we will study throughout our lives and still not completely master.
But trying to understand the reasons behind resolved spots will always make you evolve regardless of the level and but-in played!

 

[gravii2011]

Game theory (GTO) is useful to know. If you use it against a knowledgeable player, then you are like an open book to him. If you use it against fish, then you have an advantage))

 

[Dmitriy_rus7]

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?

You're not the only one. I haven't studied it either. perhaps professional poker players who live by poker need this, but since poker is a hobby for me, I’m not trying to study it

 

[mssmotilda]

In any case, this will be useful, at least to understand how to play correctly.

 

[tihomir_kula]

If studying GTO stratedy is difficult, to learn basic points in the comments can help.

 

[TeUnit]

Generally the lower stakes you play the more value exploitable play will be and the less valuable GTO will be.

Why waste unexploitable play on players that can easily be exploited?

 

[hobojim1247]

I have found it to be very useful when I am playing unfamiliar players and don't know their tendencies. The problem many people have with it is that they use it wrongly. It is not a what to play in all situations system, It is a fallback system to keep from being exploited until you gather enough info to exploit your opponent. When I sit down to a table of unfamiliar people I use it until I have a idea of how people are playing.