4 replies to this topic

[thegreatchris]

I'm a new poster, despite having skimmed the forum and the site for a couple weeks now...This weekend, I played in 3 different 20 player NL tournaments where I ended up heads up each time. Each situation, I went in at a small disadvantage in chips, but no more than 2-1. To save time, I lost all three and consider heads up and short-handed play to be a weakness in my game. What I'm looking for is any suggestions for how to improve my heads up play outside of raising with position, which I do with almost any two cards. What hands are worth raising with and without position? What is a decent raising amount, 3-4x blinds? Any other possible suggestions would be great, it's a frustrating leak in my game that I'm looking to fix...

[IFloppedTheNuts]

In heads up I find you have to play aggressively to win, show the other person you won't be pushed around instead be the pusher instead of the pushed, bottom line don't be bullied by your opponent. Another thing when your playing heads up you cant be waiting for monster hands be less conservative with the hands you play, and i'm not saying play trash hands like 2 5 or j 8 but you might want to play hands like k 10, q j, q 10, j 10 and stuff like that these are good calling hands i'm not saying go all in with them but don't be a tight ass either but these are good calling hands in heads up. Below is a list of hands I play in heads up and you might want to try playing when you play heads up, I'm not going to bother mentioning hands like aa jj ak kk qq because these are obviously great hands.J 10, J Q, J K, J AQ 10, Q J, QK, Q AK 10, K J, K Q, K AI like to call a bet with almost ace anything because like I said people on the short stack generaly try to push you around and play almost anyhand. Pocket pairs are also really good hands to call or raise with and i'm sure you already know that. I hope this helps you out, I know it works for me.

[AK33]

Playing heads up you have to play everything except the trash hands, you can not wait for a hand because the blinds will eat you up and you will give away too much money. You have to remember that your opponent isn't getting great cards either, sure he'll get a hand here and there but so will you. It comes down to who can play the weaker hands better. You obviously have to use position, play the player and so on but most of all you have to be more aggressive than he is, head up is all about putting your opponent to the test, you'd rather put him on a decision rather than be on one yourself. I'm not saying play everything and bet everything but don't be afraid to bet bottom pair, most of the time your opponents hand won't improve and you need to take down those pots, especially if you are behind in chips. Good luck. ~Slick~

[justblaze]

basically, you want to be a maniac. NEVER CALL. if you cant raise, fold.

[iluvpoker]

I like the maniac strategy, it always forces your oppenent to make a decision, and we all know the cliche. Most of the times, this maniac strategy severely frustrates your oppenent and lures them to make weak raises.