Using Non-GTO Ranges as a Baseline
It can be quite hard to memorize preflop ranges and execute them in game (at least for me). I know, I am not supposed to blindly follow any chart. But even if you're adjusting to your opponents, you still need to know what baseline you're adjusting from and therefore must know them.
I recall a video where Steffen Sontheimer said that he could basically use any chart as a starting point. It is surely because he'd be very competent in adjusting from such a chart, but my question is basically, how much of a problem do you think it is in general if you start with a baseline that trades a significant amount of accuracy for a gain in practicability. An example would be the following ranges. They are part of a free course for absolute beginners and come with the disclaimer of not really being suitable for anything beyond NL5. Do you think you'd get wrecked with such simplified ranges on NL50 and beyond?
3 Replies
The hands on the absolute margins are a very small EV gain or loss at equilibrium. Your post flop skills will be more important (in cash games at least, preflop tends to be more important in tournaments with shallower stacks).
That being said I think the way to go is to work on some heuristics then refine your strategy from there. Like at 40 BB from the button you should open off suit 8s and better and suited 5s or better. So just remember 85. From the CO you open off suit 9s and suited 6s so remember 96. That will get you 90% of the way there.
Also, remember the off suit combos are more important to be accurate with, because there are so many more of them. Whether you're supposed to open K7s or K6s in a spot is only 4 marginal combos difference.
you should trade as much accuracy for practicality as possible
anything beyond what your opponets are physically able to punish is dead weight
Um, aren't all ranges 'gto'?
