Poker solvers are an essential tool for players looking to take their game to the next level. In this article we look at the main solvers on the market and help you choose the best one for you and your goals.
If you play any amount of poker or watch it on television, you have probably heard the term "solver" or the phrase "running sims". Both refer to advanced software that runs poker simulations and outputs game theory optimal (GTO) solutions. Put simply, a solver tells you the GTO way to approach a situation based on the variables you feed it, such as bet sizes, stack sizes and preflop ranges. Solvers were rare a few years ago, but advances in hardware and software have made them commercially available and far more common. It's not just elite high-stakes players who use them, either: you will find recreational players at lower stakes studying with a solver, and everyone in between.
There are many ways to use a solver to study and improve, but that is not what this article is about. Here we cover the solvers available on the market, with a brief overview of each and its pros and cons. At the end we help you decide which solver is best for you depending on what you need. Programs like HRC and ICMizer could technically be called solvers, but for this article, when we say solver we mean GTO solvers such as PioSOLVER, MonkerSolver, Simple Postflop and GTO+.
PioSOLVER Review
If you have heard of one solver, there is a good chance it is PioSOLVER, the solver that gets talked about the most. PioSOLVER started out as a private project and was released on March 1, 2015. Since then it has become one of the most-used solvers on the market, and when people talk about solvers they often just say "Pio". If you watch training videos that use a solver, there is a good chance it is PioSOLVER. That makes Pio a good choice for players new to solvers, as there is plenty of content out there about using it.
PioSOLVER comes in four configurations, each with different features.
PioSOLVER Free
This is essentially a trial version of Pio that lets you solve one flop (Qs Jh 2h) with different turns and rivers. With only one flop it won't support in-depth study, but it gives you a basic idea of how the program works and what it can do, as it contains most of the features in the paid releases.
PioSOLVER Basic
Basic was listed at $249 when we last checked. It is the entry version of the solver, with full flop, turn and river functionality and activation on one computer. It is reasonably priced but has some downsides. The first is that it can only use 6 threads on your CPU, so if your CPU has more than 6 threads the rest go unused. That is a big deal, as most modern CPUs have at least 8 threads and some high-end machines have 32 or more, and the fewer threads used, the slower the calculation. Basic is a good start if you are just getting into solvers, as it will still run plenty of calculations at a good speed. But if you want to run more complex simulations with multiple bet sizes, you may want a solver that uses all of your CPU's threads, especially if you bought a high-end machine to run simulations.
Another limitation of Basic is that it is not scriptable. That means you cannot queue up multiple simulations to run one after another: you have to run one simulation, then set up and start the next once the first is complete. With scripting you could set up many simulations at once and let them run back to back, which is very valuable when you are working through a lot of spots.
PioSOLVER Pro
Pro was listed at $475 when we last checked. It is like Basic but with more features. First, the activation covers two computers, which helps players who want to run simulations on two machines at once. For instance, you might set up a server to run the larger, more complex simulations while running smaller ones on your home computer. Pro can also use up to 16 threads, compared with Basic's 6, so if your computer has up to 16 threads the solver can use all of them and your calculations will be faster. Note that it is still capped at 16 threads, and some high-end computers have more. Finally, Pro is fully scriptable, so you can set up numerous spots and have them run one after another, which is very efficient when running hundreds of simulations.
PioSOLVER Edge
Edge was listed at $1,099 when we last checked. This is the Cadillac version of PioSOLVER, usually only needed by advanced players who really want to dig into GTO and solver outputs. The most important difference from the other versions is that Edge can solve preflop spots, whereas the others only solve postflop based on the preflop ranges you enter. That lets you build a full GTO strategy starting from your preflop ranges. You can activate Edge on two computers and move the activations between machines without limits, which is useful when you use different servers to run simulations. Edge can also use as many threads as your computer has available, which you will need for preflop or large postflop simulations. You also get priority support with Edge, which may or may not matter to you.
Pros and Cons of PioSOLVER
Pros
- Easy to find supplemental material on how to use it
- Different price points and products for all players
- Industry-standard solver
- Preflop solving (Edge only)
- Free version to try
Cons
- Some may find the learning curve steep
- Basic and Pro versions don't use all CPU threads
- Even Edge can't use more than 64 threads
- The full version may be expensive for some
Simple Poker Review
While Simple Poker (opens in a new tab) may not be a name you have heard of, it is at the top of the market when it comes to solvers, with a wide range of solver-based products. Like PioSOLVER, Simple Poker came on to the market in March 2015, with the launch of Simple Postflop. Since then it has steadily released premium GTO products, which we cover in more detail below.
Simple Postflop
Simple Postflop (opens in a new tab) was listed at $299 (on sale for $269) when we last checked. It is Simple Poker's standard GTO solver and solves both preflop and postflop spots for two players. It shares many features with other solvers, but one that not every solver has is the ability to solve preflop spots. PioSOLVER Edge and MonkerSolver can both solve preflop spots, but they were listed at $1,099 and $550 respectively. You can also buy cloud credits to run certain spots on request in Simple Poker's cloud, which is a great option for players who don't have the hardware to run larger preflop sims that need a huge amount of RAM.
The user interface is clean and easy to understand, displaying outputs in an easy-to-read way. One neat feature is that Simple Postflop uses different algorithms depending on the hardware it runs on: on a fast, powerful PC it uses the faster, more resource-intensive algorithm, while on a slower computer it uses a lighter one. The license can be activated on two computers, such as your desktop and a server, which is great if you want to run preflop sims on the server and postflop sims on your desktop.
Simple 3-Way
Simple 3-Way (opens in a new tab) was listed at $249 per year (on sale for $224) when we last checked. It is Simple Poker's postflop solver for three-way spots. As the name implies, the main difference from Simple Postflop is that it solves three-way postflop spots, while Simple Postflop only solves heads-up postflop spots. The price covers one year on one computer, with unlimited postflop calculations. Because it involves an extra player, it requires at least 16GB of RAM and an Intel i5 or equivalent processor. It also has a clean interface that displays all the information in an easy-to-understand way. The one downside for some players is the pricing model: you must renew every year, and at roughly $250 a year that can add up.
Simple Preflop
Simple Preflop (opens in a new tab) was listed at $250 per year (on sale for $225) when we last checked. It is Simple Poker's multi-way preflop solver. Simple Postflop will also solve preflop spots, but only with two players. Simple Preflop runs simulations with up to 10 players, using numerous stack sizes, bet sizes and more. If you really want to study preflop poker, it is an excellent tool.
Keep in mind that many preflop spots need a powerful computer with a lot of RAM. If you are trying to run deep, full-table spots with numerous bet sizes, calls and raises, you will most likely need your own server or a rented one. It's not uncommon for a preflop simulation to need 200GB of RAM. To get an idea of how much RAM you will need, download the trial, build some trees and check the requirements.
Like Simple 3-Way, Simple Preflop moved to a yearly subscription, and at around $250 a year that can add up over time. That said, it is a very valuable tool if you want to study preflop situations, and in our opinion probably the best preflop solver on the market. At the time of writing, the only other preflop solver that runs multi-way spots is MonkerSolver, and compared with Simple Preflop its interface is ugly and hard to navigate.
Simple Omaha
Simple Omaha (opens in a new tab) was listed at $249 per year (on sale for $224) when we last checked, with activation on one computer. Like PioSOLVER, Simple Poker has an Omaha solver. Simple Poker describes it as the first Nash equilibrium solver for Omaha without any abstractions, solving GTO strategies postflop for a defined bet tree and the input ranges of two players.
Like the other Simple Poker products, the interface is well designed and lays out all the information in an easy-to-read way. One really useful feature is that it solves fixed limit, pot limit and no limit Omaha, so whichever format you play, it will give you solutions. All calculations run locally, and because Omaha involves four hole cards you need a fairly powerful computer to run the simulations. The system requirements on Simple Poker's website list a minimum of 32GB of RAM, with 128GB or more recommended. If your computer doesn't meet those requirements, you can rent a server and run the simulations there, or, if you are more of a DIYer, buy your own server.
Simple Poker also makes other solver-related products that are worth checking out but aren't covered in this article, including Simple Nash, Simple GTO Trainer and Preflop Hero. You can find more information about them at simplepoker.com (opens in a new tab).
Pros and Cons of Simple Poker
Pros
- Very clean user interface
- Wide range of products
- Reasonably priced
- Good support via Discord
- Can use all available CPU threads, unlike Pio
- Uses cutting-edge algorithms
- Claims to be the fastest GTO solver on the market (see Simple Poker's performance comparison)
- The only solver that can solve three-way spots without abstractions
- Simple Preflop can solve multi-way preflop spots
Cons
- Learning every feature can take time
- Annual subscription model on some products
If you would rather drill preflop ranges than solve them, Simple GTO (opens in a new tab) is a preflop GTO trainer built by the team behind this site.
GTO+ Review
GTO+ was listed at $75 when we last checked. It came on to the market in September 2017 from the makers of Flopzilla and CardRunners EV, and it is a fully functional postflop GTO solver for heads-up pots. It probably has the nicest user interface of all the solvers on the market and is the most user-friendly. It can use all the threads in your CPU and supports scripting. The recommended setup is at least 8GB of RAM and a quad-core processor.
One of the biggest selling points of GTO+ is the price. At $75 for a lifetime license it is tremendous value. The license covers one computer, and you can add a second license for an additional $40. As a bonus, the $75 includes a license for CardRunners EV, one of the original advanced poker analysis tools.
One feature you won't find built into any other solver is "play against the solution". This is a GTO trainer that lets you play out hands from your solutions against an opponent who follows a GTO strategy. It tells you whether you made the right decision, tracks how well you do against the opponent, and helps you understand how to bring the solutions into your game. Play against the solution makes GTO+ a must-buy for any player who wants to study GTO strategy. Compared with other GTO trainers on the market, the price is hard to beat, and it includes a fully functional solver.
Pros and Cons of GTO+
Pros
- Price
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent support from the developer
- Play against the solution feature
Cons
- None
MonkerSolver Review
MonkerSolver was listed at $550 when we last checked. Probably the second most popular solver after PioSOLVER, it is a fully functional postflop, preflop, multi-way and Omaha GTO solver. Being able to solve all of these situations makes MonkerSolver a strong value: it would cost you at least $700 to run all of these spots using separate programs. As with the other solvers, if you want to run large preflop or Omaha simulations you will need a powerful computer with a lot of RAM. You can get by with 8GB of RAM, but you will be limited in what you can run.
There are downsides, though. The first is that support is limited, and it appears the developer has stopped working on the project. The developer does not respond on the support thread on 2+2, and only a handful of knowledgeable users offer sporadic help. Many users report problems opening the software or connecting to the server to authenticate. The other issue is the user interface, which is ugly and cumbersome compared with the other solvers on the market. That said, there is quite a bit of material and video content on how to use it, which helps beginners get started.
Pros
- Postflop, preflop, multi-way and Omaha solving
- Price, considering what is included
- Lots of supplemental and training material on the web
Cons
- Lacks support
- The developer may have abandoned the project
- Poor user interface
What Poker Solver Is Best for Me?
Now that you know which solvers are available, you may be asking which one is best for you. Like a lot of things in life, the answer is: it depends. So we have broken down which solver is best for each type of player and what they want to accomplish.
Best GTO Poker Solver for New Users
The best solver for a new player looking to study GTO strategy is GTO+. It was listed at $75 for a lifetime license and has a beautiful, beginner-friendly interface. It also includes play against the solution, a built-in trainer that helps you put GTO strategies into practice by playing against an opponent who follows a GTO strategy.
Best GTO Poker Solver for Advanced Players
If you are an advanced player who wants to run both preflop and postflop GTO simulations, we recommend PioSOLVER Edge. It isn't cheap, but if you play high stakes it will cost less than a buy-in and will pay for itself if you use it and apply what you learn. It is the solver used by many elite pros and the one you will most often see in training videos.
Best GTO Poker Solver for Cash Game Players
Cash game players will probably be best served by GTO+, adding Simple Preflop if they want to run preflop simulations. Even with both programs, at the prices listed when we last checked you are looking at about $325, compared with $550 or $1,099 for MonkerSolver or PioSOLVER Edge to run both postflop and preflop simulations. If you want to run multi-way postflop spots as well as preflop spots, MonkerSolver is probably your best bet. Or, if you just want to splurge, go with PioSOLVER Edge.
Best GTO Poker Solver for Tournament Players
Just like cash game players, most tournament players will be fine with GTO+, plus Simple Preflop if they want to run preflop simulations. Both can run calculations based on ICM instead of chip EV, which is crucial for tournament play. Unless it's personal preference, we don't see a reason for tournament players to buy any other solver: these two do everything you need and are the cheapest option.
Best Preflop GTO Solver
PioSOLVER Edge will solve preflop spots, but because of its cost it isn't our first recommendation for most players who want to run preflop simulations. The preflop solver we recommend is Simple Preflop (opens in a new tab) by Simple Poker. It's reasonably priced, easy to use, and does everything you need a preflop solver to do.
Best Omaha GTO Solver
If you prefer your poker with four cards instead of two, we recommend Simple Omaha (opens in a new tab) by Simple Poker. It's reasonably priced, has a clean interface and is easy to learn. It also solves fixed limit, pot limit and no limit Omaha. If you play both NLHE and PLO and want a single solver, MonkerSolver may be the right choice for you.
In Conclusion
For most players who want to study GTO strategy with a solver, GTO+ is the best option thanks to its price, interface, ease of use and play against the solution feature. At $75 when we last checked, you will struggle to find a more valuable poker tool on the market. Add Simple Preflop if you want to study preflop simulations and you will have everything you need to take your game to the next level.