Heads Up

April 18, 2009

Start Cards.
First thing to be aware of is that you should & must play a much greater range of start cards. Hands such as T-8, Q-5 & K-4 which you would normally fold in a normal game, are raising hands that will win more often than not. Pairs, aces & high suited cards are monster hands in head-up poker.
Hands that you shouldn’t play are those containing eight middle or low cards, even if we are suited, connected or both.

If you are aiming at winning when playing tournaments, heads up play is something you will have to get to grips with.

High cards win pots in heads up, low cards lose pots.

Style of play.
In regards to your playing style, aggressive is far the best. it is more successful in heads up to win many small pots  than the occasional huge two. The best way to do this is to keep your opponent under constant pressure. Calling is a defensive option & not  something you should be doing much of.

Stack size.
The further ahead you are, the more aggressive you should be playing. The more short stacked your opponent becomes, the less inclined we will become to bet & this lets you win many uncontested pots.

Position.
In heads up you are either first or second to act. If your first you should always bet, even on rubbish hands. By doing this you are putting the pressure on your opponent & most of the time we will probably have a rubbish hand & will fold. It won’t work all the time & if you hand is truly bad you will have to be prepared to fold if your bet is called but least you are keeping the pressure on.

If you are the well behind, then all-in bet is your way back into the game. Go all in with any hand better than J-7.

Tags: , , , , ,

Written by Poker Online Expert · Filed Under Playing Poker | Leave a Comment 

Comments are closed.