Lengthy earlier than GTO solvers turned a part of on a regular basis poker research, gamers relied on expertise, really feel, and sample recognition on the desk.
PokerNews Ambassador Lukas “RobinPoker” Robinson went again to a hand from Day 3 of the 2013 WSOP Essential Occasion to see how these instincts stack up towards trendy idea.
Utilizing GTO Wizard, Robinson needed to seek out out whether or not 2025 champ Michael Mizrachi was already making solver-approved choices greater than a decade in the past, lengthy earlier than GTO idea turned a part of the fashionable poker vocabulary.
The Hand
The hand occurred on Day 3 of the 2013 $10,000 WSOP Essential Occasion. A complete of 962 gamers remained from an unique discipline of 6,352, with 648 gamers set to be paid. The typical stack was 198,000, whereas each Steinberg and Mizrachi sat comfortably above 425,000, giving them roughly 180 large blinds every.
With the cash bubble approaching and each gamers among the many greater stacks within the room, ICM strain was starting to matter, particularly in confrontations between gamers able to eliminating each other.
With the blind’s at 1,200/2,400 and a 400 ante, Max Steinberg opened to 9,000 from UTG+1 holding Ok♣10♣. Mizrachi defended from the massive blind with 7♥6♣.
The flop got here 10♠8♣4♣. Mizrachi checked, Steinberg continuation-bet 13,000, and Mizrachi referred to as.
The flip was the 5♠. Steinberg accomplished a king-high flush, whereas Mizrachi made an eight-high straight. Mizrachi led out for 25,000, Steinberg raised to 70,000, and Mizrachi referred to as.
The river introduced the 6♦. Mizrachi checked, Steinberg wager 120,000, and Mizrachi referred to as. Steinberg’s flush was good, successful the pot.
Pre-Flop Evaluation
Steinberg’s open with Ok♣10♣ is solver-approved, although the sizing stands out. At 3.75 large blinds, it’s bigger than trendy solver-preferred sizes, which normally sit between 2x and a couple of.5x.
Nevertheless, as soon as Steinberg’s vary is nodelocked to this bigger open measurement, the solver confirms that his hand choice is sound. In impact, Steinberg was utilizing a technique that also holds up underneath trendy evaluation.
Mizrachi’s protection with 7♥6♣ is the place the solver first objects. Dealing with a larger-than-standard open from UTG+1 and with ICM strain constructing close to the bubble, the massive blind is predicted to defend a lot tighter. In idea, seven-six offsuit is just not a part of the calling vary and loses roughly $199 in anticipated worth (EV).
To make the post-flop evaluation sensible, Mizrachi’s pre-flop vary was nodelocked to mirror the broader, real-world protection he really used.
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Flop Evaluation
On the ten♠8♣4♣ flop, Mizrachi checked his double-gutter, which is solver-approved. The large blind performs a pure checking technique on this board.
Steinberg’s continuation wager of 13,000 with high pair and a flush draw can be accepted. From UTG+1, the solver recommends a heavy betting technique on this texture. With Ok♣10♣ particularly, the solver mixes between medium and bigger sizes, favouring a 60% pot wager throughout the general vary whereas permitting some checks at low frequency.
Mizrachi’s name with 7♥6♣ is appropriate. The solver prefers calling with this hand, mixing in solely a small variety of raises at very low frequency.
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Flip Evaluation
The 5♣ flip is the defining card of the hand. Steinberg completes a flush, whereas Mizrachi makes a straight. Regardless of this enchancment, the solver strongly disapproves of Mizrachi’s donk-bet for 25,000.
Although Mizrachi now has a made hand, the UTG+1 vary nonetheless dominates when it comes to nut benefit and total fairness. Due to that, the massive blind ought to proceed checking moderately than main into the pre-flop raiser.
Steinberg’s increase to 70,000 with the king-high flush additionally loses EV. The solver prefers calling on the flip with Ok♣10♣, maintaining weaker fingers and in Mizrachi’s vary and permitting them to place more cash in on later streets.
Many of the solver’s elevating vary on the flip consists of nut flushes. Moreover, Steinberg blocks 10♣Xx combos, which make up a good portion of the massive blind’s calling vary.
Mizrachi’s name is solver-approved. All 7x6x combos carry out greatest by calling moderately than folding or re-raising.
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River Evaluation
The 6♦ river accomplished the board. Mizrachi checked, which is solver-approved. Whereas the massive blind can now incorporate some small block bets on this card, checking stays a regular choice.
Steinberg’s wager of 120,000 into 188,800 is solver-disapproved. With king-high and ace-high flushes, the solver strongly prefers a polarised all-in sizing on the river.
Shoving maximises worth towards worse flushes and powerful straights, whereas the 65% pot measurement Steinberg selected leaves EV on the desk.
Regardless of shedding the hand, Mizrachi’s name with a straight is solver-approved. In opposition to this sizing, calling is the highest-EV choice, particularly when holding a membership that blocks some flush combos.
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Closing Ideas
Whereas Mizrachi would finally seize the WSOP Essential Occasion title in 2025, it was Steinberg who aligned extra intently with trendy GTO technique on this specific hand.
That stated, Mizrachi’s profession success reinforces an necessary level. GTO offers a strong baseline, however expertise, instincts, and exploitative changes nonetheless matter. These traits have outlined Mizrachi’s profession and helped earn him the nickname “The Grinder.”
For gamers who wish to revisit basic fingers or analyse their very own choices by way of a contemporary lens, GTO Wizard gives a useful technique to bridge poker’s previous with its current.
Lukas Robinson
PokerNews Ambassador
