How to Use Poker Solvers: A Beginner’s Guide to Advanced Play

Emily Turner
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How to Use Poker Solvers: A Beginner’s Guide to Advanced Play
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Poker solvers have completely changed how players study and improve their game, making complex strategies accessible to anyone. With a poker solver, you can learn advanced concepts like Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play, analyse specific hands, and refine your decision-making skills.

This guide will walk you through how to use poker solvers to enhance your poker strategy and provide a list of top solvers to help you get started.

What Are Poker Solvers?

Poker solvers are software tools that use complex algorithms and game theory principles to analyze hands and suggest the best possible plays based on mathematical calculations. These poker software tools focus on achieving Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play, which is a strategy designed to be unexploitable by opponents.

By calculating optimal moves for each hand and scenario, solvers allow players to make decisions that maximise their expected value (EV) and minimise their chances of being exploited.

Types of Poker Solvers

Poker solvers come in different types, each with specific strengths. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, knowing which solver fits your needs can make a big difference in your game. Let’s break down the main types and when you might want to use them:

GTO Solvers

Best for: Advanced players working on balanced strategies.

GTO solvers are all about finding the “perfect” way to play a hand based on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) principles. GTO strategy focuses on creating a balanced approach that can’t be easily exploited by opponents. Popular GTO solvers like PioSolver and Simple Postflop are powerful tools that help users find optimal moves in various situations. If you’re looking to develop a highly strategic, balanced game that’s tough for opponents to crack, a GTO solver is a great choice.

When to Use:
Use a GTO solver if you’re an experienced player interested in refining your strategy to be as solid as possible. These solvers are particularly helpful in cash games and high-stakes play, where understanding and applying balanced strategies can give you an edge.

Tournament Solvers (ICM Solvers)

Best for: Tournament players, especially in high-stakes or bubble situations.

Tournament solvers are built with a specific focus on tournament play and ICM (Independent Chip Model) calculations. ICM solvers, like Icmizer, help players make better decisions in crucial moments, such as push-fold situations and bubble play (where the difference between winning and losing is significant). These solvers help you maximize profit and make better choices when each decision affects your chip stack and prize potential.

When to Use:
If you play in tournaments, an ICM solver is essential for understanding when to push, fold, or go all-in, particularly in later stages. This tool helps you navigate high-stakes scenarios where each decision has a big impact on your chances of making it to the money.

Range and Equity Calculators

Best for: Quick hand strength comparisons and understanding equity in common situations.

Range and equity calculators like Equilab and PokerStove are simpler, yet very useful tools for poker players at all levels. These calculators allow you to compare hand strengths and see how certain hands stack up against others, providing valuable insights without needing complex calculations. They’re perfect for quickly checking how different hands perform against a specific opponent range.

When to Use:
If you’re just looking to understand how your hand might perform against an opponent’s range or need quick insights into hand strength, range and equity calculators are ideal. They’re fast and user-friendly, making them a great starting point for beginners and a helpful reference for more experienced players in real-time situations.

By understanding each solver type, you can pick one that aligns with your primary poker goals, be it cash games, tournaments, or hand range analysis.

How Do Poker Solvers Work?

Poker solvers use a set of inputs provided by the user—like hand ranges, pot size, and bet sizing options—to calculate the most optimal poker strategy for each game scenario. By breaking down potential moves, solvers provide insights into the mathematical payoff of each choice, helping players develop unexploitable strategies.

Setting Inputs for the Solver

To get started, users need to define a few details:

These inputs provide the solver with a framework to calculate the best course of action, setting the stage for deeper analysis.

Key Functions of Poker Solvers

Once these inputs are set, the solver performs various types of analysis to help players refine their strategies:

What You Get as an Output

With these inputs and analyses, solvers generate a “strategic output” that includes recommended actions and EV for each move, providing players with a practical roadmap. This output might take the form of a chart or table, breaking down optimal moves for different hands and scenarios. By studying these outputs, players can practice making balanced, calculated moves that reduce their risk of being exploited.

How to Use a Poker Solver: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Using a poker solver for the first time can feel daunting, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes an invaluable tool for refining your strategy. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started and make the most of a solver’s powerful insights.

Step 1: Define the Scenario You Want to Analyze

Start by deciding which hand or situation you’d like to study. Are you analyzing a common pre-flop spot, a tricky post-flop decision, or a multiway pot? Knowing what you want to focus on will make the process more straightforward.

Example: You may want to analyze a heads-up scenario on the flop, where you’re in position, holding a mid-strength hand.

Step 2: Set Up Your Inputs

Poker solvers need specific inputs to give you accurate recommendations. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

These inputs give the solver a clear framework to simulate the hand as accurately as possible.

Step 3: Run the Solver to Generate Results

Once you’ve entered your inputs, you’re ready to run the solver. Depending on the software, this might take a few seconds or several minutes, especially if you’re analyzing complex, multiway scenarios.

The solver will process each possible decision, calculating the expected value (EV) for every option (bet, check, fold, raise, etc.). The result will be a strategy that shows you the mathematically optimal play for each hand in the range.

Step 4: Review the Results and Interpret the Output

Now it’s time to interpret the solver’s output. Here’s what you’ll typically see:

Example: The solver might suggest raising with a high-value hand 80% of the time and checking 20% of the time. For a weaker hand, it might recommend folding or a low-frequency bluff.

Step 5: Analyze Specific Scenarios Within the Hand

To get more insight, focus on particular situations within the hand. For instance:

Example: You might find that the solver recommends a higher bet frequency on a “dry” flop (e.g., 9♠ 3♣ K♦) where the board is unlikely to improve weaker hands, versus a “wet” board (e.g., 8♠ 9♠ 10♠) that could hit more of your opponent’s range.

Step 6: Adjust for Opponent Tendencies (Advanced Option)

While solvers generally provide GTO strategies, poker is about adaptability. Consider small adjustments based on opponent types:

Step 7: Save and Review Hands for Future Study

Most solvers let you save your analysis sessions, so take advantage of this feature. Save interesting or tricky hands, and revisit them periodically to see if your understanding or approach changes over time.

Creating a study routine with saved hands lets you track your progress, reinforce strategic concepts, and build a mental database of solver-recommended plays.

How to Interpret Solver Results

Understanding poker solver results doesn’t have to feel like deciphering a foreign language! Let’s break down some of the key pieces and how to use them to improve your game.

EV (Expected Value)

First up, you’ll probably see something called EV (Expected Value) charts. Think of EV as a way to see how much each decision could make (or lose) over a long stretch of hands. It’s like having a guide to which moves are profitable and which ones aren’t. Say you’re deciding whether to call, fold, or raise in a particular situation.

The EV chart might tell you that calling has a value of +$8, while folding is $0 and raising is just +$3. This would make calling the best choice because it has the highest potential payout over time.

Range Reatmaps

Then there are range heatmaps, which are kind of like a quick-reference colour guide to hand strength. These maps show you which hands are worth going all-in with and which ones are better left alone. For example, in an early position, your heatmap might light up with colours showing strong hands (pocket aces or kings) in green, signaling that they’re solid choices.

Meanwhile, a hand like Jack-8 might show up in red, indicating it’s too risky and best to fold. These colours help you decide instantly which hands to be more aggressive with and which to treat with caution.

Optimal Actions

Lastly, many solvers show optimal actions—recommended moves based on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play. It’s a bit like having a coach suggesting moves that make you unpredictable and tough to read. For example, you might have a mid-strength hand like King-10 suited.

The solver might suggest raising 60% of the time and checking 40% of the time. This blend of moves helps you keep opponents guessing, balancing your strategy in a way that can be hard for others to counter.

So, whether you’re looking at EV, heatmaps, or optimal actions, each result is a tool that can guide you toward smarter, more profitable decisions. And while it might seem a bit much at first, these visual cues quickly become intuitive. With some practice, you’ll find they’re great for honing your decision-making and sharpening your edge at the tables!

Why Use a Poker Solver?

Poker solvers offer numerous benefits to players at all levels, such as:

Pros and Cons of Using Poker Solvers

Before diving into poker solvers, it's helpful to weigh the pros and cons. While these tools can sharpen your strategy and boost your understanding of the game, they also come with a few limitations. Here’s a quick look at the advantages and drawbacks of using poker solvers, so you can decide if they’re the right fit for your poker journey.

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Pros

  • Improves decision-making by providing data-driven recommendations.
  • Teaches Game Theory Optimal strategies, reducing exploitability.
  • Enhances tournament play with accurate ICM and push-fold calculations.
  • Allows focused practice by reviewing tough hands with optimal solutions.
  • Suitable for all skill levels, from basic to advanced analysis.
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Cons

  • High learning curve, especially for beginners.
  • Detailed simulations can be time-consuming.
  • GTO strategies may not suit low-stakes, exploitative games.
  • Can be expensive, especially with subscriptions.
  • Not practical or allowed during live or online games.
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Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Poker Solver

Using a poker solver isn’t just about plugging in hands and seeing the results—it’s about understanding the "why" behind each recommendation, building a toolkit of strategies you can rely on in real play. Here are some ways to really maximise the value of your solver sessions:

  1. Start Simple and Build Gradually: Begin with straightforward, single-hand scenarios (like heads-up on the flop) to grasp the basics. As you get comfortable, expand to multiway pots and multi-street decisions to deepen your understanding.
  2. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key. Set aside weekly study sessions, varying your focus between different hands, board textures, and opponent tendencies. This builds a mental "database" of strategies, enhancing your intuition over time.
  3. Prioritize Reviewing Mistakes: Use solvers to analyze hands where you were unsure or made costly errors. This targeted review helps you understand why certain decisions are optimal, making it easier to spot similar patterns in future play.
  4. Experiment with Hand Ranges: Adjust hand ranges to see how strategies shift. Try using different opponent ranges to refine your ability to put opponents on hands, improving both your offense and defense.
  5. Think Beyond GTO: While GTO provides a strong baseline, real poker is about adaptability. Use the solver to explore adjustments for specific player types—such as playing more aggressively against tight players and value-heavy against loose ones.
  6. Interpret Equity and EV Wisely: Rather than fixating on minor EV differences, focus on broader insights. Some close EV choices may still align better with your strategy against specific opponents, so learn to recognize and adapt to these nuances.
  7. Leverage Visuals for Quick Learning: Heatmaps and EV graphs reveal patterns at a glance. Use these visuals to recognize strong, weak, and marginal hands quickly, building “snapshots” that streamline your decision-making in real play.
  8. Practice Situational Awareness: Solvers let you test hands across various contexts (positions, stack sizes, board textures). This helps you master positional dynamics and build flexibility for diverse situations, making you a more versatile player.

Common Mistakes When Using Poker Solvers

Using poker solvers can transform your game—if used correctly. Avoid these common pitfalls to maximise your learning and make the most out of each session:

Over-Reliance on GTO Play

Solvers are often built around Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies, which can be fantastic for understanding balanced play. However, in low-stakes games, sticking rigidly to GTO isn’t always optimal.

Many low-stakes players tend to play sub-optimally, creating opportunities for exploitative strategies where you can profit by adapting to opponents’ tendencies rather than sticking to a theoretical GTO model. Think of GTO as a base strategy, but be flexible enough to make adjustments based on the actual play at your tables.

Neglecting Opponent Reads

Solvers assume a level playing field where all opponents make high-quality, consistent decisions. In reality, players at your tables may not behave like solver-predicted opponents. Pay close attention to player tendencies, such as aggressive moves, passivity, or unusual bet sizing, and incorporate these into your strategy adjustments.

Don’t rely solely on solver outputs without considering the unique characteristics of your opponents, especially in live games or online poker with a mix of skill levels.

Incorrect Hand Range Inputs

Solvers require accurate hand ranges for both you and your opponents to provide meaningful outputs. Using overly broad or narrow ranges can skew the solver’s recommendations, making them less applicable to real play.

Take time to adjust ranges based on what you know about your opponents’ tendencies—do they overvalue suited connectors, play too many hands from early position, or frequently fold to three-bets? The more accurately you input these details, the more realistic and actionable your results will be.

Ignoring Positional Adjustments

While solvers factor in position, it’s crucial to remember that each seat has a different strategy, especially in exploitative play. Some players tend to tighten up in early positions and loosen up in late ones. Be aware of these dynamics and try to refine your understanding of how to approach different positions beyond the standard recommendations from the solver.

Misapplying solver strategies without positional context can lead to costly mistakes.

Expecting Immediate Results

Poker solvers are powerful learning tools but don’t instantly translate to flawless in-game decisions. Gaining practical benefit from solvers requires patience, study, and application over time. Don’t become discouraged if you don’t see immediate results or if certain concepts feel complex. Regular study sessions combined with in-game practice will gradually improve your play, but expect a learning curve.

Choosing the Right Poker Solver for Your Needs

Different solvers fit different styles and budgets. Use this quick comparison to find the best match:

Solver Best For Main Features Cost
PioSolver Advanced Cash Games Deep GTO Analysis High
GTO+ Beginners to Intermediate Affordable GTO Analysis Moderate
Simple Postflop Multiway & Post-flop Fast Calculation, Multiway Options Subscription
PokerSnowie General Strategy Learning AI-Based Training Subscription
Icmizer Tournament Play ICM Analysis, Push-Fold Scenarios Subscription
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Poker Solvers FAQ

A poker solver is a software tool that uses advanced algorithms to analyze poker hands and suggest optimal strategies. It calculates the best moves for various situations, helping players understand game theory principles and make more strategic decisions.

Not necessarily. While some solvers are designed for advanced players, beginners can also benefit from simpler solvers like equity calculators. These tools can help beginners learn hand strength, range analysis, and basic strategy fundamentals without needing in-depth knowledge of game theory.

Poker solvers help players develop balanced, unexploitable strategies, identify optimal moves in specific situations, and improve decision-making. By studying solver outputs, you can refine your skills, gain insight into opponent strategies, and make better-informed choices during play.

For tournaments, an ICM (Independent Chip Model) solver like Icmizer is ideal, as it focuses on push-fold decisions and prize pool distribution. This helps tournament players make better decisions in high-stakes situations, particularly near the bubble or final table.

No, using a solver in real-time play is generally prohibited and considered cheating. Solvers are best used as study tools after games to analyze hands and identify optimal strategies. Using solvers for live decision-making is against the rules in most poker settings.

Regular study sessions with a poker solver can be beneficial, but frequency depends on your goals. Many players find that using a solver once or twice a week for focused hand reviews or strategy sessions helps reinforce concepts and improve long-term gameplay.

Conclusion

Poker solvers are game-changers, giving you the tools to make smarter decisions and take your skills to the next level. Whether you’re working on GTO strategies, getting a handle on hand ranges, or gearing up for a poker tournament, these solvers make it easy to dig into the game’s finer details. Start with simple hands, keep practicing, and have fun exploring different strategies. With the right poker solver by your side, you’ll feel more confident and prepared each time you sit down at the table. So dive in, and watch your game improve in ways you never thought possible!

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Emily Turner
Emily Turner Content Writer
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Emily is our seasoned content writer. She writes easy to read and helpful game guides, so you can quickly understand the rules of each game and get some useful tips that can help boost your chances of winning.

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Last updated: 4 November 2024
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