Exploiting a profile

Changing your push/fold ranges on purpose because the opponent calls or shoves too much or too little.

Last updated October 16, 2026

What it means: The exploit skills drill the best response to a villain profile rather than Nash. They cover shoving against tight and loose callers, and calling tight and loose shovers.
How it is calculated: Start from the opponent's actual range, then pick the most profitable play against it. A player who calls too little makes your steals more profitable, so shove wider. A player who shoves too much can be called lighter.
Worked example: If the big blind calls a 10bb shove with only 15% of hands instead of the Nash 37%, you win the 1.5bb in blinds far more often, and many hands that fold against Nash become profitable shoves.
Why it matters: Real opponents are not at equilibrium. Adjusting to how they play earns far more at low stakes than playing Nash perfectly.