In-Depth Explanation: Poker GTO and Introduction to Hand Ranges
In poker, it is essential to predict other players’ moves and maximize the strength of your hand.
This article explains one of the key elements for improving in poker: hand ranges.
Table of Contents
GTO and Hand Ranges
One of the key elements to winning in poker is pre-flop hand ranges. The choice of action in the pre-flop is made every time you play poker. Therefore, appropriately choosing which hands to play and which not to play significantly contributes to your long-term win rate.
Hand ranges can be optimized based on game theory. It is theoretically possible to create GTO-based hand ranges, considering pre-flop raise sizes and post-flop actions.
However, creating a complete hand range based on GTO is impractical due to the enormous amount of calculations required. Similarly, it is impossible for humans to perfectly replicate the calculated frequencies down to 0.1% accuracy.
Therefore, by modeling only certain information such as raise sizes, it becomes possible to approximately calculate hand ranges based on GTO. The way of modeling can change the hand ranges.
Also, these hand ranges should be adjusted according to the opponent’s pre-flop actions. By accurately reading and exploiting the opponent’s behavior, you can increase your expected value.
Approximately Calculated Hand Ranges
There are two typical hand ranges:
- GTO Wizard
- NTPoker
These hand ranges are approximations calculated based on proper modeling and GTO. Thus, using these ranges allows you to play in a manner similar to GTO.
Hand Range Management Tools
Tools for managing hand ranges include NTPoker, Poker Snowie, and GTO Wizard. Their features and differences are as follows:
NTPoker
- Intuitive and easy to operate with the most user-friendly UI on the IOS app.
- Allows customization of hand ranges to suit the user and enables sharing ranges among friends.
- Equipped with training functionality based on the created ranges.
- All pre-flop tool usage is free.
GTO Wizard
- A wide variety of hand ranges available for free.
- Web application.
Poker Snowie
- Allows adjustments to bet sizes in a format close to actual play.
- Available as a web and mobile app.
These tools should be used depending on the user’s purpose and level. If you primarily use poker tools on your smartphone, NTPoker with its variety of features and superior UI is recommended.
For detailed adjustments to conditions and multi-way ranges using a web interface, GTO Wizard is recommended.
Conclusion
Hand ranges are a crucial element in winning at poker. Using approximately optimized hand ranges allows you to replicate play based on GTO very closely. By using tools like NTPoker to properly manage hand ranges and accumulate training, your poker skills will significantly improve.