There comes a point in every poker player’s journey where they have to ask themselves a serious question:
Am I trying to play optimal poker, or just using charts to justify punting slower?
If you’re unsure, here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
You Should Play GTO If…
- You’ve run actual sims, not just memorized a few BB defense ranges off a Discord post.
- You know what “node-locked exploit” means without having to Google it every time.
- You’re not emotionally offended when someone 3-bets you light—you’re just updating ranges.
- You’ve spent more time in Pio than in Instagram Reels.
- You don’t say “standard” after losing a $1,200 pot to top pair like it’s therapy.
GTO is for sickos. People who see poker as a spreadsheet with dopamine. If you’re not one of them, read on.
You Should GTFO If…
- Your study routine is rewatching Hustler Casino clips and mumbling “I would’ve folded.”
- You say things like “Vibes were off” after a losing session.
- You tried solving spots and ended up buying crypto instead.
- You think solvers are “kinda overrated” because they don’t agree with your gut.
- You haven’t folded to a river raise since the Obama administration.
GTFO doesn’t mean quit poker. It means quit pretending you’re playing GTO. Embrace the chaos. Lean into your reads. Go exploit the regs who are overfolding because “solver says.”
Just don’t kid yourself.
The Truth? Most of You Are in Between.
You’re not playing GTO.
You’re not fully GTFO.
You’re GTTFA: Going Through The Fucking Motions Again.
And that’s fine. Just pick a side before your bankroll picks it for you.
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