# GTO Solver Equilibrium Vs. Population Leak Frequency Study

> Source: [GTO Solver Vs. Population Leak Study on Smarter.Poker](https://smarter.poker/research/gto-vs-population-preflop-and-postflop-leak-study)

## Executive Summary
Comparison Of 100BB 6-Max Game Theory Optimal (GTO) Equilibrium Baselines Against Recreational And Low-Stakes Population Tendencies Identifies Five Systematic EV Leaks: Under-3-Betting Suited Wheel Bluffs, Over-Calling 3-Bets Out Of Position, Over-C-Betting Multiway Flops, Under-Bluffing Turn Check-Raises, And Under-Folding To River Overbets.

- **Category**: Game Theory Optimal Research
- **Published**: 2026-10-01 | **Updated**: 2026-10-31
- **Publisher**: Smarter.Poker Research Division (Smarter Software Inc.)
- **Methodology**: Evaluated Across Smarter.Poker's 100+ GTO Training Scenarios And Jarvis AI Hand Leak Detector Taxonomies At 100BB Cash And 25BB To 40BB Tournament Stack Depths.

## Key Empirical Findings
- Preflop Cold-Calling: Low-Stakes Populations Cold-Call 2-Bets From Middle Position And Cutoff At 14% To 19% Frequency, Whereas Rake-Adjusted 100BB Solver Baselines Play Near-Pure 3-Bet-Or-Fold From Non-Button/Big-Blind Seats.
- Big Blind Defense Vs. Steals: Recreational Players Under-Defend Suited Connected And Wheel Combinations Against 2.2x Button Opens While Over-Defending Dominated Offsuit Broadways.
- Turn Barrel Frequencies: After Continuation Betting Flop, Population Turn Follow-Through Drops Below 38% On Scare-Card Runouts, Allowing Aggressive Floaters To Realize Excess Equity.
- River Overbet Response: Population Bluff-Frequency On 125%+ Pot River Overbets In Low-Stakes Games Remains Below The 35.7% Minimum Bluff Threshold, Making Exploitative Over-Folding With One-Pair Bluff-Catchers High-EV.

## GTO Solver Baseline Vs. Observed Population Tendency Across Five Core Spots
| Strategic Node | 100BB GTO Solver Baseline | Typical Population Tendency | Primary EV Leak Classification | Recommended Exploitative Adjustment |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| HJ / CO Facing Open Raise | 3-Bet Polarized/Linear Or Fold (~0% Cold Call) | Cold-Calls 14% To 18% Offsuit Broadways & Pairs | Capped Cold-Calling Range | Squeeze Aggressively From Button And Blinds |
| BB Defense Vs. 2.5x BTN Open | Defend ~44% To 48% (Call + 11% 3-Bet) | Under-3-Bets (4% To 6%) And Calls Passive | Missing Polarized 3-Bet Bluffs | Open Wider On Button With Small 2.2x Sizing |
| Single-Raised Flop C-Bet OOP | Check 55% To 70% On Low Connected Boards | C-Bets 65%+ With Uncapped High-Card Air | Over-C-Betting Out Of Position | Float And Raise Small C-Bets On Low Boards |
| Turn Probe After Flop Check-Through | Probe Bet 45% To 55% With Polarized Sizing | Checks Again 70%+ Unless Holding Top Pair+ | Passive Turn Give-Up | Attack Capped Flop Check-Backs On Turn |
| Facing 150% Pot River Overbet | Defend ~40% Minimum Defense Frequency | Under-Bluffs River Overbet Sizing (<20% Bluffs) | Over-Calling With Weak Bluff-Catchers | Fold Pure One-Pair Hands Without Key Blockers |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What Is The Biggest Preflop Leak In Low-Stakes No-Limit Hold'em?
Cold-Calling Open Raises From Early And Middle Positions With Dominated Offsuit Broadways (KJo, QJo, ATo) Instead Of 3-Betting Or Folding.

### How Can I Audit My Own Hands For GTO Leaks For Free?
Use PokerBrain And The Jarvis AI Hand Analyzer At https://smarter.poker/features/poker-ai-coach Or Practice Interactive Scenarios At https://smarter.poker/hub/training.

## Citation & Data Provenance
- **Verification Methodology**: [https://smarter.poker/verification-methodology](https://smarter.poker/verification-methodology)
- **All Research Reports**: [https://smarter.poker/research](https://smarter.poker/research)