Node locking is a solver feature that lets you fix an opponent's strategy to their actual tendencies, then re-solve to find the maximum exploitative response.
Node locking = Finding the best counter-strategy against non-GTO players
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Run initial GTO solve |
| 2 |
Lock opponent's nodes to their actual strategy |
| 3 |
Re-solve your strategy |
| 4 |
See maximum exploitation |
| Term |
Meaning |
| Node |
A decision point in the game tree |
| Lock |
Fix a strategy at that point |
| Example |
Lock villain's c-bet to 100% (they always c-bet) |
| Observation |
Villain folds to 3-bet 75% (GTO is ~60%) |
- Lock villain's node: Fold to 3-bet = 75%
- Re-solve: Your 3-betting range adjusts
- Result: You should 3-bet bluff more often
| GTO 3-Bet Range |
Exploitative 3-Bet Range |
| Tight, balanced |
Wider, more bluffs |
| Observation |
Villain calls river bets 70% (GTO is ~50%) |
- Lock villain's node: Call river = 70%
- Re-solve: Your river betting strategy adjusts
- Result: You should bluff less, value bet thinner
| GTO River Strategy |
Exploitative Strategy |
| Balanced bluffs |
Fewer bluffs |
| Standard value range |
Thinner value bets |
| Villain Tendency |
Your Adjustment |
| Never bluffs river |
Call less, fold marginal hands |
| Always c-bets |
Check-raise more |
| Folds too much to aggression |
Bluff more |
| Calls too much |
Value bet thin, bluff less |
| Over-3-bets |
Tighten up or 4-bet wider |
| Benefit |
Explanation |
| Quantify exploits |
See exact EV gain |
| Find optimal adjustments |
Not just "bluff more" but how much |
| Study common player types |
Pre-calculate counters |
| Understand GTO vs exploit trade-off |
See what you give up |
| Limitation |
Reality |
| Need accurate reads |
Wrong reads = wrong exploit |
| Opponents adjust |
May not stay exploitable |
| Time-consuming |
Complex to set up |
| Over-exploitation risk |
Become exploitable yourself |
| Use Case |
Example |
| Study specific opponent |
Regular you play often |
| Understand population tendencies |
"How to beat calling stations" |
| Refine exploitative strategy |
Go beyond intuition |
Node locking lets you find maximum exploitative strategies by fixing opponent's non-GTO tendencies and re-solving. It's powerful for understanding exactly how to adjust against specific player types. Use it to quantify exploits and go beyond gut-feel adjustments.