Understanding the Limits of GTO Strategies in Poker

GTO strategies in poker are optimal actions that make a player unbeatable in certain situations. However, these strategies are not a universal solution for all poker situations, especially in games with more than two players.

In a heads-up situation, if one player uses GTO and the other does not, the GTO player cannot be beaten. This makes GTO strategies particularly attractive for heads-up games. However, the application of GTO strategies in 3-max games can lead to a decrease in the player's win rate due to the presence of a fish player.

For example, in a 3-max game with a fish player, the optimal strategy for the other players can be disrupted, leading to a negative win rate. This is because the fish player's mistakes can lower the win rate of the GTO player, even if the GTO player continues to play optimally. Therefore, while GTO strategies are powerful in heads-up situations, they require careful consideration in multi-player games.