How do you play exploitative when you dont know what ppl are actually doing? VS an unknown field, a GTO approach becomes more valuable.

GTO approach is the way to go versus unknown players, while taking player pool tendencies/metagame into consideration and constantly looking for ways to exploit people as you get more information.

What i mean is you can use fully exploitative strategies, lines, bet sizes, etc. without regard for balance, since AT MOST you will play 100-200 hands with people (the average is probably around 50). You can use the optimal choice in most spots, even if this would normally leave you exposed. Perhaps my understanding of GTO play is lacking, but i thought its key function was for you to play in a way that makes you UNEXPLOITABLE ...achieved by sometimes taking sub-optimal lines occasionally and balance being at the forefront. If i am completely off here please correct me and offer up some good GTO stuff that i can watch!

One thing I like to do is sit down short stacked for the first 20 hands, play a tight short stack game, then buy in for the full amount. I do this for a couple reasons, first it allows me to be aggressive in spots where I dont care how my opponent is playing for the most part. It prevents me from making any huge mistakes from lack of information. And this will severely skew my stats on their huds once I have fully bought in. Most players do not notice your rebuy or the change in gears.