[w_alloy]

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it does not logically follow that strategies will converge toward game-theoretic optimal play or intrinsic unexploitability. the selection pressures acting on the player pool are not such that this is true. relatively speaking, there isn't a huge gap between your average 50nl grinder and the best players in the world when it comes to grasping the game-theoretic properties of the NLHE strategy landscape. none whatsoever. the computational limitations of the human brain, even the best human brain, do not allow anyone to explore the terrain without a blindfold on.

what is a logical necessity is that strategies will become less exploitable given the parameters defined by: a) the cognitive limitations of the players, and; b) the decision-making biases, both emotional and cognitive, of the players.

the best players probably: a) have frequencies that jive because of their own decision-making biases and quirks; b) a superior ability to exploit the decision-making biases of other people by out 'leveling' them; c) better emotional control than everyone else - information processing and decision making aren't as adversely affected when under stress (or are affected in a non-conventional adaptive way).

i'm sure as time goes on people will get a bit better game-theoretically and they'll probably get a bit better at exploiting the weaknesses of other people. how much room is there to go? who knows. eventually the skill level at the top will pretty much max out and thereafter strategy variation won't trend in either direction - it'll be random until someone either starts crunching #s (and using those #s to do more and better trial-and-error tests) or they invent super smart/emotional equanimity pills.

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I think you are overlooking some key point here. You are acting like players need to understand all the theory behind all the adjustments, when really they don't need to know anything.

In fact, if they all make random changes to their game, or enough new players arrive with random deviations from common strategy, play will still converge towards optimal.

It as an evolutionary process, and as long as the best players get the money and new players learn styles from old players, things will advance whether people understand it or not.