Poker Solvers

Poker solvers have transformed how players learn, practice, and sharpen strategy across Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.

A poker solver is specialized software that models poker as a decision tree and computes Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies — balanced lines that cannot be exploited.

While no one can memorize perfect play for every circumstance, understanding solver outputs helps you recognize hand equity against different ranges, when to use small or large bet sizes, and how often to bluff, call, raise and fold. That knowledge becomes a powerful foundation for real-world profit because you can then identify when opponents deviate and exploit those tendencies.

If you’re brand new to this space, think of solvers as coaches for the modern game. They show you the “mathematically sound” baselines, then you decide when to stick with them and when to adjust. For quick learning and everyday study, many players prefer instant-access, cloud-based tools. For deep dives and custom scenarios, power users rely on desktop-based solvers that calculate from scratch.

Whichever you choose, the goal is the same: develop a reliable baseline, correct leaks, and internalize frequency-based decision making.

How Solvers Work

How solvers work in one sentence: they define actions and ranges for both players at each decision point and iterate until the strategies converge to a Nash equilibrium, often returning mixed strategies.

You then practice implementing those frequencies, and learn how the ranges shift across boards, positions, and stack depths.

Broadly, you can split solvers into two types — calculators and databases. Calculators actually do this calculation on demand, usually on your computer. Databases reference pre-built solutions in the cloud. There are pros and cons of each.

Calculator-Type Solvers

Calculator-type solvers compute custom solutions on demand. You define ranges, stack sizes, rake, allowed bet sizes, and boards; the solver builds the game tree and iteratively calculates equilibrium strategies for that exact spot.

Advantages:

• Full customization of scenarios, including non-standard bet sizes and rare lines
• Node locking lets you fix an action at a node to study counter-strategies and targeted exploits
• Deep control over tree size, abstractions, and precision—ideal for serious analysis

Disadvantages:

• Hardware demand. Complex multi-street or multiway trees benefit from high-core CPUs and large RAM
• Time cost. Solves can take minutes to hours as complexity rises
• Learning curve. Requires comfort with ranges, EVs, exploitability, and tree-building

If you frequently encounter unique bet sizings, specific villain tendencies, or nuanced formats (e.g., multiway pots in certain pools), calculator-type tools provide the precision and flexibility to model those realities.

Database-Type Solvers

Database solvers give you instant access to massive libraries of pre-solved spots. You select positions, stack depth, and board texture; the platform returns the precomputed GTO strategy immediately—often with visualizations, drills, and hand-history review.

Advantages:

• Instant answers. Perfect for short study windows and tactical refreshers
• Device-agnostic. Cloud-based, works on desktop and mobile without high-end hardware
• Integrated training. Quizzes, play-vs-bot, and error analysis streamline practice

Disadvantages:

• Fixed parameters. Limited to available bet sizes, stacks, and trees in the library
• Less flexible for unusual off-tree lines or niche game formats
• Subscription cost in most cases for full database access

These platforms are ideal for rapid learning, fundamentals, and consistency. If you want to combine speed with breadth—then occasionally run custom spots—hybrid approaches (cloud + custom solving) can deliver the best of both worlds.

Poker Solvers Categorized by Type

Why Use a Poker Solver?

Using a solver off-table sharpens the skills that directly translate into better decisions in real games. Here’s how:

Leak detection: Compare your decisions to GTO baselines to spot systematic mistakes—overfolding on turns, under-defending blinds, or value-betting too thin. Fixing even one recurring leak can swing your win rate.

Strategic balance: Solvers show how to blend value and bluff frequencies so your ranges are hard to attack. Balance doesn’t mean indecision; it means your aggressive actions carry the right ratio of bluffs to keep opponents guessing.

Frequency awareness: You’ll learn mixed strategies and how frequently to check, bet small, bet big, or raise with specific hand classes across board textures.

Transferable understanding: Once you’ve seen how ranges shift on dry vs. dynamic boards, and how stacks/rake affect sizing choices, your intuition improves and decisions speed up.

Competitiveness at tougher stakes: Mid-to-high-stakes pools include many solver-studied opponents. Knowing the same theory keeps you competitive and helps you identify when to deviate profitably.

Note: solvers are study tools only. Real-time assistance is not allowed on reputable sites or in live rooms. Train off-table so the right choices feel natural in the moment.

Best Poker Solvers

Below are the leading solver options in 2025. Each profile is designed to help you evaluate how good of a fit each solver might be for your experience level, game choice and feature requirements.

GTO Wizard

GTO Wizard blends the convenience of a database-type solver with optional on-demand customization. It covers NLHE cash, MTTs, Spin & Go, and heads-up formats, delivering instant GTO output from a very large library of pre-solved spots.

You can filter by positions, stack depths, and board textures, then drill decisions through quizzes and play-vs-bot modes to internalize frequencies.

The Hand-history review feature helps you compare your actions against GTO lines, highlighting where EV is lost. Because it runs in the cloud, you don’t need powerful hardware, and the interface works smoothly on desktop and mobile.

A free tier typically includes full preflop solutions and limited daily postflop practice; paid tiers unlock the entire library and advanced tools. The trade-off is flexibility: database bet sizes and trees are fixed, although on-demand solving can expand options. For players who value speed, study structure, and consistent daily practice, GTO Wizard is a superb all-round choice.

PioSOLVER

PioSOLVER is a calculator-type solver that runs locally on Windows and is renowned for its depth of analysis in No-Limit Hold’em postflop situations. It allows you to define custom ranges, stack sizes, rake structures, and betting trees, producing detailed outputs that highlight strategies, expected values, and frequency breakdowns. Because calculations happen on your own machine, performance depends on your CPU and available memory, with larger trees requiring more RAM.

A free version solves two preset flops, giving players a way to test the speed and interface. Paid editions come in Basic, Pro, and Edge, each unlocking more advanced features. Higher tiers enable functionality such as node locking, allowing users to fix parts of an opponent’s range and calculate optimal counter-strategies. Output options include EV analysis, equities, and strategy maps for any hand in the range.

While it requires more setup and has a steeper learning curve than cloud-based platforms, dedicated players value the precision and control PioSOLVER provides. Compared to pre-solved libraries, it is slower and more technical, but it remains a longstanding choice for professional-level custom analysis.

GTO+

GTO+ is a lightweight calculator-type solver for postflop analysis in No-Limit Hold’em and a dedicated version for Short Deck (6+ Hold’em). It also supports multiway situations, making it valuable for players who want to study more realistic cash-game scenarios. You can download it for free in demo mode, allowing you to explore the interface and view example files before purchasing. The full version unlocks unlimited custom solving with a one-time license fee, avoiding ongoing subscription costs.

The program runs locally on Windows and does not require extremely powerful hardware, although complex trees benefit from additional RAM. Like other calculator solvers, you define your own trees, stack depths, and bet sizes, then solve for equilibria to see strategies, ranges, and EVs. It integrates with common equity calculators, allowing for smooth workflows in structured weekly study sessions.

Because runs are computed from scratch, it takes longer than pre-solved databases to generate answers. However, the combination of affordability, flexibility, and the option to explore Short Deck spots gives GTO+ a unique position for serious students who want full control without high cost.

MonkerSolver

MonkerSolver is one of the most powerful calculator type solvers available and is best known for its role in Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) analysis. It can solve both preflop and postflop situations in this notoriously complex game by using advanced abstraction techniques to simplify huge decision trees while still producing robust strategies. This makes it a go to tool for players aiming to understand equities and ranges in PLO, where the margins between hands often run very close.

Beyond Omaha, MonkerSolver also supports Hold’em and is notable for handling multiway analysis. For cash game players who want to model realistic scenarios with multiple opponents, that flexibility is extremely valuable.

The software runs cross platform via Java, but it is demanding on hardware: large PLO preflop solves in particular may require 64GB+ of RAM and significant time to complete. Many serious users let MonkerSolver run overnight and build databases of outputs for future study. There is also a free version with turn/river functionality so new users can explore how it works before purchasing the full license.

While the learning curve is steeper than more user friendly or cloud based platforms, serious Omaha specialists and advanced NLHE players rely on MonkerSolver for the depth and flexibility it provides.

Simple Postflop

Simple Postflop is a calculator-type solver dedicated to postflop No-Limit Hold’em. Unlike many rivals, it includes an ICM-aware mode, making it particularly useful for tournament specialists working on final table or bubble play where payouts affect decision-making. It provides clean, intuitive reports and is designed to run efficiently compared to more complex desktop solvers.

Players can try it for free in demo mode, which allows turn and river solving along with a small set of pre-solved example flops. A full license unlocks the complete functionality, including custom tree building, node locking, and deeper EV exploration. It can be run on Windows or via cloud access in the SimplePoker suite, giving users the option to study locally or online.

Because it focuses specifically on postflop, players often pair it with separate preflop tools in the SimplePoker ecosystem. Simple Postflop is not as customizable as PioSOLVER for unusual structures, but its speed and ease of use make it attractive for players who want a clear, practical solver without steep technical barriers.

PokerSnowie

PokerSnowie is an AI-driven training and analysis tool for No-Limit Hold’em cash games, covering both heads-up and 6-max. Instead of a traditional solver that requires tree-building and computation, it uses a neural network trained on billions of hands to approximate balanced strategies. Players can play directly against the AI, or import their hand histories to receive immediate feedback on decisions, including EV losses and suggested improvements.

A free trial allows you to explore the software before committing to a subscription. Once subscribed, you gain access to continuous play-versus-AI functionality, in-depth hand analysis, and error detection. PokerSnowie runs on both Windows and Mac computers with no special hardware requirements, and its interface is accessible even to casual players.

Because it is an AI model rather than a calculator or pre-solved database, PokerSnowie is not designed for fully customizable tree work. However, its play-and-learn feedback loop provides an engaging way to develop instincts and reduce mistakes, particularly for newer players who benefit from immediate, actionable advice.

Deepsolver

Deepsolver is a cloud calculator solver built to deliver real-time GTO outputs directly through a web browser. Unlike database tools that rely on pre-solved libraries, Deepsolver runs custom calculations on its servers, allowing players to define their own ranges, stacks, and board situations and receive results in under a minute for common postflop spots. This makes it ideal for short, targeted study sessions where time is limited.

The platform offers a 7-day free trial, after which ongoing subscriptions are required. It runs entirely in the cloud, meaning there are no hardware requirements beyond an internet connection. Players can run drills, review strategy breakdowns, and test different lines quickly, all without the steep setup often required by local solvers.

The trade-off is that you need a subscription for long-term use, and results are limited to the formats covered by its current engine, primarily Hold’em. Still, for learners who value speed, convenience, and the ability to start analyzing spots immediately, Deepsolver offers a highly practical way to integrate solver study without technical hassle.

GTOBase

GTOBase is a browser-based, database-type solver and trainer that delivers immediate access to large libraries of pre-solved spots. Its coverage includes Spin & Go, HU Hyper Turbo SNG (5–30bb), 6-max cash at 100bb, and HU cash games. Libraries are pre-computed using SimplePoker technology, meaning answers load instantly rather than requiring calculations on your machine. This makes it easy to move quickly between positions, stack depths, and board textures.

A permanent free tier includes the HU Cash 100bb library, while subscriptions unlock Spin & Go and other libraries. Built-in features such as the GTO Trainer allow users to practice specific hands and review full ranges, reinforcing skills through interactive drills. Because it runs entirely online, there is no installation or hardware demand, and it works smoothly in standard browsers.

The main trade-off is scope: GTOBase supports fewer formats than tools like GTO Wizard, and users cannot build entirely custom trees. However, for narrow but high-volume formats like Spin & Go and short-stacked heads-up games, GTOBase is an efficient and affordable solution to study consistently.

Poker Solvers Compared

Free Poker Solver Options: The Best Free Trials, Tiers, and Open‑Source Tools

Getting started with poker solvers doesn’t have to be expensive. Several leading tools provide permanent free tiers, downloadable demo modes, or time‑limited trials. These let you learn core solver concepts, test each interface, and compare styles of study before committing to a purchase. Here’s a breakdown of the best free poker solver options available right now.

GTO Wizard (Free Tier)

GTO Wizard is a browser‑based solver and trainer with a massive library of pre‑solved solutions for NLHE cash, tournaments, Spin & Go, and heads‑up formats.

Its free plan includes full preflop charts and a rotating set of postflop drills each day. This lets you build range intuition, drill specific positions, and track your decision‑making accuracy without paying.

Because it runs fully in the cloud, there is nothing to install and it works seamlessly on desktop and mobile devices.

The free tier is permanent, while subscription plans expand access to the full range of postflop libraries, tournament ICM tools, and hand‑history review.

GTO+ (Demo Mode)

GTO+ is a calculator‑type solver that specializes in NLHE postflop and multiway play, with a dedicated Short Deck version as well.

It runs locally on Windows, letting you build and solve fully custom trees once licensed. A downloadable demo mode is available for free — this restricted version allows interface exploration and example file viewing, but it won’t permit full custom simulations.

A one‑time license unlocks unlimited solving with no subscription required. This makes GTO+ one of the most affordable professional‑grade solvers available, offering flexibility and control in a lean package.

PioSOLVER (Free Version)

PioSOLVER is a professional calculator‑type solver for detailed NLHE postflop analysis.

It runs locally on Windows and offers precise control over ranges, stack sizes, rake, and tree structures.

The free version matches the speed of the Pro edition but is limited to solving two preset flops, making it a strong evaluation tool for testing speed and UI before buying. Paid licenses unlock unlimited solving and advanced features across Basic, Pro, and Edge editions.

Performance scales with CPU and RAM, making higher‑end hardware useful for complex trees, but the free version is lightweight enough for most modern PCs.

Deepsolver (7‑Day Free Trial)

Deepsolver is a cloud‑based calculator solver built to deliver fast NLHE GTO solutions.

Users set up custom ranges and boards in a web browser and receive real‑time results directly from the cloud — no need for local hardware or installs.

All new users can try a 7‑day free trial, giving access to the core features without payment. After the trial, a subscription is required for continued use.

Because results are delivered in under a minute for most spots, Deepsolver excels at short, focused study sessions or quick reviews between games. It prioritizes convenience, making it ideal for players who prefer to avoid complex setup.

Simple Postflop (Demo Version)

Simple Postflop is a calculator‑type solver focused on NLHE postflop, notable for its ability to run ICM‑sensitive analyses useful in tournaments.

It is available for Windows or via the SimplePoker cloud. A permanent demo version is included: you can try turn and river solves, access three demo flops, and explore a prebuilt preflop tree. A full license unlocks unlimited postflop solves, node locking, and deeper EV breakdowns.

Because it emphasizes speed and a straightforward interface, Simple Postflop is a popular option for players who want an approachable, lightweight solver before advancing to more complex software.

PokerSnowie (Free Trial)

PokerSnowie is an AI‑driven poker trainer for NLHE cash games, available for both Windows and Mac. Instead of solving trees on demand, it uses a neural network trained on billions of hands to approximate balanced strategies.

The free trial lets you play directly against the AI, import hand histories, and see immediate EV feedback on mistakes. After the trial, a subscription is required to continue.

This makes PokerSnowie a very different entry point compared to classic solvers: less focus on tree manipulation, more on real‑time coaching and intuitive learning.

MonkerSolver (Free Limited Version)

MonkerSolver is a cross‑platform (Java) calculator‑type solver best known for Pot‑Limit Omaha. It also supports Hold’em and multiway analysis, giving unmatched power for complex cash‑game modeling.

The free version is restricted to turn and river solves, but shows how the software handles strategy outputs and abstraction. The full version runs deeper preflop and multi-street calculations but requires strong hardware, with large PLO trees often demanding 64GB+ RAM.

Despite the steeper learning curve, MonkerSolver remains a benchmark in professional Omaha study, and the free version offers a way to experience its workflow firsthand.

TexasSolver (Completely Free)

TexasSolver is a completely free, open‑source poker solver supporting both NLHE and Short Deck (6+).

It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and allows players to build custom decision trees and run calculations directly on their machines.

Unlike demo modes of commercial solvers, TexasSolver is a full program with no license fees, making it one of the most accessible ways to learn solver concepts in depth.

While its interface is more technical than polished commercial options, it provides unlimited flexibility and power for anyone willing to invest the time to learn its setup and operation.

GTOBase (Free Tier)

GTOBase is a browser‑based database trainer with pre‑solved libraries for Spin & Go, HU Hyper Turbo SNG (5–30bb), 6‑max cash at 100bb, and HU cash (100bb).

The permanent free tier includes the HU Cash 100bb library plus access to an integrated GTO Trainer that lets you practice spots and review ranges. A subscription unlocks full format coverage.

Because the software runs in the cloud, it requires no installation and is hardware‑light. Players specializing in short‑stack formats will find it particularly useful for drilling frequency patterns quickly and consistently.

Which Poker Solver is Right for You?

Skip the guesswork — here’s a quick guide to choosing the best solver for your format, goals, and study style.

New to GTO and NLHE?

GTO Wizard is the best entry-level poker solver for beginners who want fast, cloud-based answers and guided training. It runs entirely in your browser or on mobile, so there’s no hardware setup, making it simple to start studying GTO right away.

Its permanent free tier includes preflop charts and rotating postflop drills, while subscription plans unlock the full database of solutions, hand history review, and more advanced tournament tools.

• Key strength: instant solver outputs plus training quizzes that teach range intuition through repetition
• Platform: browser-based, works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices
• Pricing model: subscription, with a free tier available for ongoing use
• Formats: NLHE cash games, MTTs, Spin & Go, and heads-up

The trade-off is flexibility. You’ll get instant access to pre-solved libraries, but betting trees and sizings are fixed compared to calculator-type solvers like PioSOLVER or GTO+. Still, for beginners seeking the best free poker solver to build habits and learn GTO fundamentals, GTO Wizard is unmatched as an all-round starting platform.

Grinding NLHE on a budget?

GTO+ is the most affordable professional-grade poker solver for players who want flexibility without subscription costs. It specializes in NLHE postflop and multiway spots, with a dedicated Short Deck version too.

The program runs locally on Windows, is lightweight, and activates with a one-time license key.

• Key strength: low-cost, fully custom tree solving
• Platform: Windows desktop
• Pricing model: one-time license
• Formats: NLHE postflop, multiway, Short Deck

The trade-off is usability. GTO+ has a more technical interface and slower solves compared to pre-solved databases, but for budget-conscious grinders it provides exceptional value.

Want ultra-detailed postflop work?

PioSOLVER is the pro’s choice for deep NLHE postflop analysis. It runs locally on Windows and gives users complete flexibility to define ranges, bet sizes, and rake, producing detailed EV and frequency outputs.

Advanced editions add features like node locking for exploit testing.

• Key strength: professional-grade detail and advanced custom trees
• Platform: Windows desktop
• Pricing model: one-time license with multiple editions
• Formats: NLHE postflop

The trade-off is setup and resources. It requires more learning and stronger hardware than other options, but the precision and depth are unmatched.

Play mostly PLO?

MonkerSolver is the industry standard for Pot-Limit Omaha, capable of solving both preflop and postflop spots in complex multiway situations. It also supports Hold’em analysis.

Using abstraction methods, it makes enormous game trees manageable while still producing balanced solutions.

• Key strength: best-in-class for PLO study, with multiway solving
• Platform: cross-platform (Java-based)
• Pricing model: one-time license
• Formats: PLO, NLHE, multiway simulation

The trade-off is hardware load and complexity. Large preflop PLO solves may require 64GB+ RAM and long runtimes, so MonkerSolver is best for serious Omaha specialists.

Tournament-focused and ICM-aware?

Tournament players benefit from combining GTO Wizard for postflop study with specialized ICM tools. This ensures optimal decision-making where payout implications heavily affect risk tolerance, such as bubble or final-table play.

• Key strength: cloud library access plus ICM-sensitive analysis
• Platform: browser/mobile (for GTO Wizard)
• Pricing model: subscription for GTO Wizard; ICM tools vary
• Formats: NLHE tournaments, ICM scenarios

The trade-off is that you may need to run multiple products together, but the combined insight is powerful for dedicated MTT players.

Need to study on the go?

GTO Wizard and Deepsolver both offer true cloud-based study with mobile access. GTO Wizard provides instant database drills, while Deepsolver computes custom solves via its cloud engine in under a minute.

• Key strength: perfect for mobile or short-session training
• Platform: browser/mobile
• Pricing model: subscription for both
• Formats: NLHE cash, tournaments (Wizard); custom NLHE postflop (Deepsolver)

The trade-off is reliance on an internet connection, but for commuters or time-limited players, they’re ideal.

Using a low-powered laptop or tablet?

Cloud solvers like GTO Wizard and Deepsolver bypass hardware requirements by running everything online. Wizard supplies massive pre-solved libraries, while Deepsolver computes trees on-demand.

• Key strength: solver access without needing powerful hardware
• Platform: browser-based; runs on laptops, tablets, or mobile
• Pricing model: subscription
• Formats: NLHE (Wizard full coverage); custom NLHE postflop (Deepsolver)

The trade-off is recurring subscription cost, but the accessibility and performance outweigh it for players using low-powered devices.

Which Poker Solver is Right for Your Situation?

How to Choose the Best Poker Solver for You

Not all poker solvers are built the same. This checklist helps you match the right tool to your format, study style, and goals.

• Game type — NLHE cash, MTTs, Spin & Go, PLO, Heads-up, or Short Deck (6+)? Choose a solver that natively supports your format so the outputs are relevant to the games you actually play.
• Solver type — Calculator solvers (PioSOLVER, GTO+, MonkerSolver) let you build custom trees and test exploits but require patience and hardware. Database solvers (GTO Wizard, PokerSnowie) provide instant answers and guided training but are less flexible. Many players combine both — database for daily drills, calculator for deep dives.
• Platform — Don’t have a powerful PC? Pick a cloud solver like GTO Wizard or Deepsolver, which runs in your browser on any device. Prefer complete control? Go with a desktop solver, but plan for stronger hardware.
• Features — Look for ICM sensitivity (tournaments), multiway support (PLO), hand-history import, node locking, or built-in trainers. Prioritize features you’ll actually use weekly over extras you won’t touch.
• Learning curve & user experience — Calculator solvers are powerful but more technical. Database solvers are user-friendly, often with visual quizzes and play-vs-bot modes. Always test a free version or trial first.
• Study plan — If you study 15–30 minutes daily, a database solver with quick drills keeps you sharp. For weekend deep dives, a calculator solver lets you explore advanced scenarios in detail.
• Budget model — Desktop solvers usually use a one-time license. Cloud solvers mostly work on monthly subscriptions. Compare lifetime costs — cheaper up front isn’t always cheaper long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are poker solvers allowed while playing online or in live games?

No. Solvers are off-table study tools. Real-time assistance during play is prohibited on reputable poker sites and in live cardrooms. Study away from the table so your decisions are informed and compliant.

What’s the difference between calculator-type and database-type solvers?

Calculator-type solvers compute custom solutions from your exact inputs (ranges, bet sizes, stacks, boards), requiring more setup and compute time but giving maximum flexibility. Database-type solvers return instant results from pre-solved libraries with fixed parameters, ideal for quick study sessions and structured training.

Which solver is best for beginners?

GTO Wizard is the most accessible starting point thanks to instant answers, strong visualizations, drills, and mobile access. It helps you build fundamentals quickly without needing a powerful computer.

What should NLHE grinders choose if they want deep custom analysis?

PioSOLVER is the benchmark for surgical postflop work, especially when you need node locking, unusual bet trees, and tight control over exploitability. GTO+ is a cost-effective alternative that still delivers fast custom solves and multiway support.

What’s the recommended solver for Pot-Limit Omaha?

MonkerSolver is the standard for PLO preflop and postflop solving, with abstractions and multiway capability suited to the game’s high complexity and close equities.

Do I need a powerful computer to use a solver?

You do not need one for cloud tools. GTO Wizard and Deepsolver run entirely in the browser. For local calculator solvers (e.g., PioSOLVER, GTO+, MonkerSolver), more CPU cores and more RAM speed up large trees—32GB+ for big NLHE projects and 64GB+ for heavy PLO preflop is a comfortable target.

Can free options replace paid solvers?

Free tiers and trials are excellent to learn fundamentals and explore interfaces, but paid tools unlock full databases, larger trees, and advanced features. As your study volume grows, premium access typically pays for itself in time saved and depth gained.

How do I structure an effective study routine with solvers?

Pick one board class per session (e.g., low, disconnected flops), drill decisions for common positions, then re-solve turn/river branches with calculator tools to understand how strategies evolve. Import hand histories weekly, tag recurring leaks, and replay those nodes.