[jspiral]

At higher levels poker is about game theory, for example, the player bluffs at an optimal frequency in a certain situation so as to be indifferent to whether the opponent calls or folds.

Exploitative strategies, based on understanding opponent weaknesses and tendencies will win $ at a higher rate, but are themselves exploitable.

For example, almost never bluffing and playing only strong cards crushes beginners who play too many hands and call too much.

This strategy is easily beaten though by stealing most pots and then not paying off the infrequent big bets (strong hands don't come often enough).

A "perfect" game theory strategy is like armor, slowly bleeding the opponent every time they deviate from perfection themselves.

not sure if that helps but maybe some seeds to google at least

[jdmichal]

> This strategy is easily beaten though by stealing most pots and then not paying off the infrequent big bets (strong hands don't come often enough).

To dig deeper:

Or you can try actively punishing the big hands by folding out early. Of course, that strategy opens you up to being bled by your opponent bluffing strong hands. Attempting to actively punish the big hands here is a deviation. This is what jspiral means by "deviations from perfection".