GTO Learning
How to Analyze Hands with GTO: Complete Tutorial
Hand AnalysisSolver TutorialGTO PracticeStrategy Analysis
How to Analyze Hands with GTO: Complete Tutorial
Introduction
Learning to analyze hands using GTO is a key skill for improving your poker game.
This article teaches you how to systematically analyze every hand.
Basic Hand Analysis Flow
GTO Hand Analysis Flow
1. Spot Definition (5 min)
2. Range Setup (10 min)
3. GTO Lookup (15 min)
4. Strategy Extraction (10 min)
5. Self-Comparison (10 min)
6. Summary Output (10 min)
Total: ~60 minutes/hand
Step 1: Spot Definition
Information to Collect
| Information Type | Specific Content |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | Date, stakes, stack size |
| Preflop Action | Each player's action |
| Flop | Three community cards |
| Turn | Fourth community card |
| River | Fifth community card |
| Final Action | Each player's choice |
Spot Recording Template
## Hand Basic Information
Date: 2026-04-04
Stakes: NL50 ($0.50/$1)
Effective Stack: $100 (100bb)
## Action Sequence
Preflop:
- UTG: Open $3
- MP: Fold
- CO: Call $3
- BTN: Fold
- SB: Fold
- BB: Call $2
Flop ($9.50): K♠ 7♥ 4♦
- UTG: Bet $7
- CO: Call $7
- BB: Fold
Turn ($23.50): K♠ 7♥ 4♦ 2♣
- UTG: Check
- CO: Bet $16
- UTG: Call $16
River ($55.50): K♠ 7♥ 4♦ 2♣ 3♠
- UTG: Check
- CO: Bet $35
- UTG: Fold
## My Position
I was UTG
Step 2: Range Setup
Define Initial Ranges
My Opening Range (UTG):
- AA-TT, AKs-AQs, AKo-AQo (~10-12%)
Caller Ranges:
- CO caller range: ~20%
- BB defense range: ~15%
Simplify Analysis Ranges
| Player | Simplified Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hero | AKs, AKo, AA-TT | Simplified to core range |
| Villain | KK-22, ATs-A9s, KQs, QJs, JTs | Simplified to key hands |
Step 3: GTO Lookup
Using GTO Solver
Preflop Analysis:
- Select Hero's position (UTG)
- View opening range
- Confirm hand is in range
Postflop Analysis:
- Enter flop (K♠ 7♥ 4♦)
- Set ranges
- View GTO recommended strategy
Key Query Points
| Decision Point | Query Content |
|---|---|
| Preflop open | Should I open? |
| Preflop 3-bet | Should I 3-bet? |
| Flop bet | GTO's recommended bet frequency? |
| Turn action | Check or bet? |
| River action | Value or bluff? |
Step 4: Strategy Extraction
Extract Key Strategies from GTO
Flop K♠ 7♥ 4♦ Strategy:
| Hand Type | GTO Recommendation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Top pair (KK) | Bet | 100% |
| Top pair + straight draw (K7s) | Bet | ~80% |
| Middle pair (77) | Mixed | ~50% |
| Pure air | Check/bluff | ~30% |
Understanding Mixed Strategies
GTO often gives "mixed strategies", meaning:
| Recommendation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 50% bet/50% check | Random choice, bet about half the time |
| 30% bet/70% check | Lean toward checking, occasionally bet |
| 100% bet | Must bet, no mixing |
Step 5: Self-Comparison
Compare GTO vs Actual Decision
Flop Decision Comparison:
| Item | My Decision | GTO Suggestion | Deviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KK | Bet $7 | Bet | ✅ Match |
| KQ | Bet $7 | Bet | ✅ Match |
| 77 | Fold | Mixed | ❌ Deviation |
| 44 | Fold | Check | ❌ Deviation |
| Air | Fold | 30% bet | ❌ Deviation |
Analyze Deviation Reasons
| Deviation Type | Reason | Improvement Method |
|---|---|---|
| Too conservative | Uncertain about value | Verify more with GTO |
| Too aggressive | Chasing pot | Control emotions |
| Insufficient air | Fear of being caught | Understand EV calculation |
| Too many pair folds | Don't trust yourself | Strengthen range understanding |
Step 6: Summary Output
Analysis Summary Template
## Hand Analysis Summary
### Overall Rating
- Decision quality: 85/100
- GTO deviation: 15%
- Needs improvement: Middle pair strategy on flop
### Key Findings
1. Flopping KK and betting was correct
2. Too frequently folding 77 on flop
3. Insufficient air hand bluffing
4. Turn decision needs improvement
### Learning Points
1. Middle pair on flop doesn't require folding
2. Air hands can bluff occasionally
3. Understand EV difference in mixed strategies
4. Postflop range is more important than preflop
### Action Items
- [ ] Memorize Kxx flop strategy
- [ ] Practice middle pair decisions
- [ ] Increase awareness of air hand betting
Common Scenario GTO Analysis
Scenario 1: AK Misses the Flop
Scenario:
- Hand: AK (offsuit)
- Flop: 7-4-2 (rainbow)
GTO Analysis:
| Strategy | Frequency | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Check | High frequency | No hit, weak postflop |
| Bet (bluff) | Low frequency | Can balance |
Recommendation: Check most of the time, don't bluff frequently.
Scenario 2: Top Pair Raised on Flop
Scenario:
- Hand: KQ
- Flop: K-7-4
- Opponent bets, it's your turn
GTO Analysis:
| Decision | EV | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Call | High | ~70% |
| Raise | Medium | ~20% |
| Fold | 0 | ~10% |
Recommendation: Usually call with top pair, raise in few situations.
Scenario 3: Two Pair Pushed on River
Scenario:
- Hand: K7
- River: K-7-4-2-3 (dry board)
- Opponent bets all-in
GTO Analysis:
| Hand | Call EV | Fold EV |
|---|---|---|
| Two pair (K7) | Positive EV | 0 |
| Trips (77) | Positive EV | 0 |
| Failed straight draw | Negative EV | 0 |
Recommendation: Must call with two pair, consider folding others.
GTO Analysis Tool Recommendations
| Tool | Use | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Our GTO Solver | Preflop range lookup | Easy |
| GTO+ | Postflop analysis | Medium |
| PioSolver | Deep research | Hard |
| Flopzilla | Flop analysis | Medium |
Conclusion
Key Analysis Points
- ✅ Complete hand information recording
- ✅ Accurate range definition
- ✅ GTO suggestion lookup
- ✅ Key strategy extraction
- ✅ Self-decision comparison
- ✅ Learning point summary
Continuous Improvement
- Analyze every important hand
- Build personal hand database
- Regular review sessions
- Constantly update understanding
Next Steps
Last updated: April 2026