FAQ - Exploitability

Exploitability measures how close a simulation is to a perfect Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy. It’s one of the most useful metrics in solver study but often misunderstood. This FAQ explains what it means, how FlopHero handles it, and how you can use it to improve your game.

Does higher exploitability make a simulation useless?

No. Even simulations between 1% and 1.5% exploitability are strong study tools. They’re slightly less precise but still far more reliable than playing without solver data.
Think of it as using a map that’s 98% accurate. It will still get you where you need to go.

Can exploitability ever reach exactly zero?

Not in real PLO solves. The game tree is too large to compute a perfectly unexploitable solution. Even powerful solvers running for days can only approximate GTO.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s practical accuracy. If exploitability is low enough that errors don’t affect your learning, the simulation is good to study.

How does FlopHero handle exploitability?

FlopHero’s HERO.Precision® simulations never exceed 1.5% of the pot. Most run well below 0.45%, meaning they’re effectively unexploitable for study.
We balance speed and accuracy. Running solves longer could reduce exploitability slightly, but the improvement wouldn’t change your learning experience.

Do I need to care about the exact exploitability number?

No. What matters is whether the simulation is solid enough to trust. Anything under 1.5% exploitability is strong enough for study.
The difference between 0.3% and 0.4% is meaningless for learning. Focus on understanding strategy, not decimals.

How does exploitability relate to EV Loss?

They measure different things:

• EV Loss shows how much value you lost in a single hand compared to the GTO choice.
• Exploitability shows how much a perfect opponent could gain from your overall strategy.

If EV Loss is high, you made a mistake in execution.
If exploitability is high, the simulation’s strategy is less precise.

Why is exploitability measured as a percentage of the pot?

Percentages make the value easy to compare across stakes.
For example, 0.5% exploitability means a perfect opponent could win half a percent of the pot per hand by exploiting your strategy.
It’s a clear, consistent way to measure accuracy at any stake.

Can I trust a simulation with 1% exploitability?

Yes. A 1% exploitability simulation is accurate enough for practical study.
Many professional players use simulations in this range. The strategy remains solid, and the principles you learn will transfer directly to real play.

How can FlopHero be the only PLO solver showing exploitability?

Most solvers don’t display exploitability because calculating it requires extra computation.
FlopHero includes it by default so you always know how reliable your simulations are.
It’s part of making solver data transparent and easy to trust.

Does lower exploitability always mean better study material?

Not necessarily. A 0.3% simulation isn’t better than a 0.4% one in any meaningful way.
What matters more is studying relevant spots that appear often in your games.
Accuracy only helps if it applies to the situations you actually face.

Should I avoid studying from simulations above 1% exploitability?

No. Anything up to 1.5% is still excellent for study.
If a 1.2% simulation covers an important scenario, use it. The core strategy will still be trustworthy and highly instructive.

Understanding exploitability helps you judge solver quality and study efficiently. Use it to select reliable simulations, focus on the right spots, and build a strong poker foundation.