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GTO Wizard Launches Free 1v1 Poker Mode — A New Way to Practice Heads-Up

GTO Wizard Launches Free 1v1 Poker Mode — A New Way to Practice Heads-Up
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Iva Dozet News Editor
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: May 29, 2025 · 1 minutes to read

For years, GTO Wizard has been known as the go-to destination for solvers, strategy breakdowns, and hand analysis. But until now, it’s been a place to study poker, not play it. That changes with the introduction of a new, free-to-use heads-up 1v1 poker feature that drops users directly into browser-based poker games, no download or payment required.

Let’s break it down.

Browser-Based 1v1 Poker Mode With a Ranking System

The 1v1 Poker Play Mode keeps things simple. You log in, queue up, and get matched with another player based on your rating. The hands are fast, the stakes are virtual, and every result feeds directly into your ranking.

The goal isn’t to win money, it’s to build skill. With every game, you move up or down a public leaderboard. There’s no in-game currency, no chip bundles, and no rake, just the fundamentals of heads-up poker in a clean, functional interface.

Custom Games and Social Features

Alongside the ranked queue, the platform also supports private games. You can invite up to nine players and run full-ring games using custom rules. This “Poker with Friends” mode lives alongside the 1v1 offering, giving users a casual space to organize low-pressure games or mock tournaments.

1v1 Poker Mode GTO Wizard

GTO Wizard has also set up an active Discord community, which players are using to trade hands, review strategy, and arrange matches. It’s not exactly a social network, but the early activity shows potential for something more collaborative than a typical training tool.

No Costs, No Installs, No Pressure

There’s no subscription needed to access the 1v1 poker mode, and nothing to download. It runs directly in your browser and is available globally. Since all games are for practice only, it also skirts the restrictions and complications of real-money play.

With ranked matchmaking and unlimited access, it’s a structured way to get hands in, without the stress of bankroll swings or bad beats.

Post-Match Analysis Coming Soon

While current games are standalone, a future update will connect each 1v1 match to GTO Wizard’s signature analysis tools. The upcoming integration will allow players to break down hands and spot mistakes using the same solver engine that powers GTO Wizard’s paid tools.

The post-game analysis isn’t live yet, but once rolled out, it could offer something that most browser-based poker games lack—a bridge between play and study.

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Written By: Iva Dozet News Editor
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