Using ChatGPT in Poker

From hand analysis to poker ranges, in this post I set out all the ways you can leverage the power of ChatGPT to improve your poker skills for free, including real examples.

Understanding ChatGPT’s Poker Capabilities

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a sophisticated language model that generates human-like responses based on the prompts it receives. Although not specifically designed for poker, it possesses a wealth of knowledge about the game, including strategies, probabilities, and psychological elements crucial for success at the tables.

Performance Analysis

A study conducted on ChatGPT and its successor GPT-4’s poker skills revealed interesting insights:

• ChatGPT’s Playing Style: Tends to play conservatively, acting like a “nit” – only engaging with premium hands and folding the majority of others.
• GPT-4’s Approach: Exhibits a more aggressive style, playing like a “maniac” with a loose and aggressive approach.

Despite their advanced strategies, neither model achieves true game theory optimal (GTO) play. This limitation is important to understand when considering the AI’s advice and analysis.

Enhancing Your Poker Game with ChatGPT

Strategic Advice and Theory

One of the primary benefits of using ChatGPT in poker is its ability to provide strategic advice. Key areas where it can assist include:

Understanding Poker Concepts:

• Explanation of fundamental concepts such as pot odds, hand rankings, and position play.
• Particularly beneficial for beginners or intermediate players looking to solidify their understanding of the game.

Simulating Scenarios:

• Engage ChatGPT in discussions about specific hands or situations.
• Evaluate different decision-making processes to gain insights into optimal strategies based on historical data and established theories.

Adapting to Opponents:

• Help identify patterns in opponents’ play styles, enabling players to exploit weaknesses effectively.
• Recognize when an opponent tends to bluff or play aggressively to inform your own betting strategy.

Poker Hand History Review with ChatGPT

Most poker sites like Pokerstars give you .txt files of all of the hands you play.

You can upload these hands into ChatGPT and ask it to perform a Game Theory Optimal analysis, including ways to play it better.

It’s like having your own free poker coach!

I uploaded 300 recent hands I’d played at 50NL:

And it came up with the following feedback. First my strengths:

Strengths

1. Disciplined Preflop Folding
   You consistently fold speculative hands (e.g., 8h 4s, 6s 3h) from early or disadvantaged positions. This aligns with GTO principles of avoiding marginal hands in unfavorable positions.
2. Aggressive Preflop Re-raises
   • Example: You 3-bet QQ effectively against an EP open and collected the pot preflop​(HH20241129 Baade – $0.2…).
   • GTO often recommends aggressive play with strong hands like QQ to extract value and isolate opponents.
3. Selective Bluff Raises
   • Example: You raised a flop c-bet holding 5h 4h on a 3c Jc 7d board and got a fold​(HH20241129 Baade – $0.2…).
   • This demonstrates an understanding of fold equity and semi-bluff potential, a hallmark of GTO-aware play.
4. Postflop Bluff-Catching
   • Example: On the [5c Ac Ah 3h 2s] board with Ad Qs, your bet sizing forced an opponent with KK to call off incorrectly​(HH20241129 Baade – $0.2…).
   • You apply pressure with strong value hands, a GTO-aligned strategy to exploit weaker opponents.

And then my weaknesses:

Weaknesses and Errors

1. Flat Calling Preflop in Aggressive Spots
   • Example: Kh Qh vs. an EP open; you flatted instead of 3-betting​(HH20241130 Baade – $0.2…).
   • GTO typically favors 3-betting this hand from late position to deny equity to hands like small pairs or suited connectors. Calling allows those hands to realize their equity.
2. Passivity with Draws Postflop
   • Example: With Qd Ad on a monotone flop (4c 7c 5c), you checked in position​(HH20241129 Baade – $0.2…).
   • GTO suggests betting or raising with strong draws (e.g., nut flush draws) to build the pot and apply pressure.
3. Missed Thin Value Bets
   • Example: Kh Qh on [3s Ah Ks Qc Tc]; you checked back the river after the opponent checked​(HH20241130 Baade – $0.2…).
   • GTO encourages small value bets with strong two-pair hands when opponents’ ranges are capped.
4. Missed Opportunities for Continuation Betting (C-bet)
   • Example: With Ks Jd on [4c 8d 5s], you checked back flop and turn in position​(HH20241130 – $0.25-$0.…).
   • GTO supports c-bets on dry boards where opponents miss frequently, especially with overcards.

And then my patterns:

Patterns and Potential Improvements

1. Over-Folding in Small Blind (SB) vs. Big Blind (BB) Spots
   You fold too frequently in small blind situations, often giving up equity​(HH20241129 Baade #2 – $…)​(HH20241130 – $0.25-$0.…). GTO recommends a balanced strategy of raises and calls in these spots, especially against weaker BB defenders.
   • Improvement: Add more hands like suited connectors or small pairs to your defending range in the SB.
2. River Over-Betting Without Adjustments
   Your river over-bets with hands like Ad Qs​(HH20241129 Baade – $0.2…)can exploit weak players, but against strong opponents, you risk being exploited if your range is unbalanced.
   • Improvement: Ensure your river betting range includes enough bluffs to balance value hands.
3. Passive Big Blind Defense
   • Example: Folding speculative hands like 9c 8h without considering multi-way dynamics​(HH20241129 Baade – $0.2…).
   • Improvement: Defend a wider range from the BB when facing small opens, especially suited hands and connected low cards.
4. Bet Sizing Reads
   Your bet sizing is often value-heavy, making it easier for observant opponents to adjust. GTO requires balanced bet sizing with both value and bluffs.
   • Improvement: Mix in more bluffs with similar bet sizes, particularly in multi-street situations.

And then overall conclusion:

General Recommendations

1. Study Preflop Charts
   Review preflop GTO ranges to ensure you’re balancing raises, calls, and folds from each position.
2. Incorporate Solver Review for Postflop Play
   Analyzing common postflop spots using solvers like PioSolver can improve your understanding of mixed strategies (e.g., c-bets vs. checks).
3. Work on Bet Sizing
   Use a mix of small, medium, and overbets to disguise your hand strength and keep opponents guessing.
4. Defend More in the Blinds
   Expand your defending range slightly, especially against frequent stealers.
5. River Bluffing Frequency
   Ensure your river bluffs are balanced with your value hands to avoid becoming predictable.

This is all really good feedback. Of course you have to factor in things like the rake at 50NL on stars is like 8bb/100 and so you don’t want to call blinds as much, and also there are so many weak players that you don’t have to be balanced on the river. But it’s giving me exactly what I asked, GTO analysis applicable for all scenarios.

ChatGPT Poker Coach

You can also ask it for strategy and advice such as “In poker am I better to call a check raise with bottom pair on the floor, or 3bet it?”

This was the great response:

Key Considerations:

1. Board Texture:
   • If the board is dry (e.g., no obvious draws, like K-7-2 rainbow), your bottom pair might be ahead of some bluffs but vulnerable to better hands.
   • On a wet board (e.g., 9-8-6 with two hearts), a check-raise often represents strong hands or strong draws, making bottom pair weaker in comparison.
2. Opponent’s Range and Tendencies:
   • Tight/Conservative Opponent: Their check-raises likely represent strength. Bottom pair is rarely good, so calling or 3-betting is risky.
   • Loose/Aggressive Opponent: They might check-raise with bluffs or semi-bluffs (e.g., draws), making a call more reasonable to keep their bluffs in the pot.
3. Position:
   • In Position (IP): Calling is often better to control the pot and reevaluate on the turn. You can take advantage of your positional edge.
   • Out of Position (OOP): 3-betting can sometimes force a fold from weaker hands and draws, but it also bloats the pot, which is risky with a weak hand.
4. Stack Sizes:
   • Deep Stacks: 3-betting can be risky because you commit more chips with a marginal hand.
   • Short Stacks: 3-betting is effectively a shove in many cases, which can work if you think your opponent is bluff-heavy.
5. Your Hand Strength:
   • Bottom pair is a marginal hand, so the main question is whether it’s ahead of the opponent’s range. If you’re facing a value-heavy check-raise range, folding is often better.

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When to Call the Check-Raise:

• You believe your opponent is bluffing or semi-bluffing (e.g., with draws or overcards).
• You want to keep their range wide and pot manageable, especially if in position.
• The board is dry, and the check-raise might not represent a strong range.

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When to 3-Bet the Check-Raise:

• You believe your opponent is bluff-heavy, and a 3-bet can make them fold weaker hands or draws.
• You want to define their range (e.g., forcing them to continue only with strong hands).
• You’re comfortable committing more chips with the possibility of being behind.

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Recommendation:

• Default Line: Call the check-raise with bottom pair if you’re in position, and re-evaluate on the turn based on their action and the board.
• 3-Bet only if you have a solid read that your opponent check-raises light/bluffy and you’re willing to apply pressure.

If unsure, err on the side of folding—bottom pair is a weak holding, and investing more chips against an aggressive line without additional information can lead to trouble.

Conclusion

ChatGPT represents a powerful tool for poker players seeking to enhance their knowledge and strategic thinking. By leveraging its capabilities for educational purposes and theoretical guidance, players can gain valuable insights into the game’s complexities. However, it’s essential to approach the use of AI in poker ethically, respecting the rules of the game and the spirit of fair play.

As the landscape of poker continues to evolve alongside technological advancements, the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT may reshape how players learn and improve their skills. By staying informed about these developments and using them responsibly, poker enthusiasts can harness the power of AI to become more knowledgeable, strategic, and successful competitors at the table.