heads up!!!

#1 30-09-2007, 8:11 PM

i know and feel confident when playing 4 to 9 player table but i shiver in my boots when playing headsup!!

HONESTLY, i get intimidated and seem lose my wits or just get retarded.

i have read on how to play but don't have enough handson experience.

any advice on when you should raise, bet, etc.

like low pocket pair, should i raise preflop or just check

#2 30-09-2007, 9:23 PM

If the blinds are high, you have a potention raising hand if you have pocket 3s or higher pairs, suited king 4 - 2, suited queen 7- 5, suited jack 8, suited jack nine, unsuited ace 2, unsuited king 6- 4, unsuited queen 9, unsuited jack ten, or unsuited jack nine.

Remember, in heads up, any pair is a big hand and u should push strongly. Also, any ace is a big hand. If you get dealt KK, AA, or QQ and youre opponent is aggressive, just limp in when youre in the small blind, and check if youre in the big blind (and hope the flop hits your opponent but gives him the 2nd best hand).

Also, think of flopping middle pair in heads up as the equivalent of flopping a set at a full table.

#3 30-09-2007, 9:27 PM

Oh yeah, and when I said u have a potential raising hand with those hand, that also includes any hands better than those (obviously). And remember, you can raise less when you are in the small blind, because you want to encourage action since you will have position. When youre in the big blind, raise 3-5 times the big blind, because you will be out of position you need to end the hand preflop.

#4 30-09-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentheman87

Also, think of flopping middle pair in heads up as the equivalent of flopping a set at a full table.

i would say think of it as 2 pair.....a set might be a little much

#5 30-09-2007, 11:31 PM

Playing heads-up means less playing your cards, and more playing your opponent. If you have the chip lead, you need to use your stack to help you win.

Aggression is a key factor in HU play. This doesn't mean to get stupid, but you have to have a good read on your opponent (and should by this time) to know whether or not you can bluff him out of a pot.

#6 01-10-2007, 3:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trip2nite808

i shiver in my boots when playing headsup!!

I think this is your problem right here - if you approach heads up with a mindset like that and you're afraid to play your hands aggressively, your opponent will (or should, anyway) pick up on it pretty quick and walk all over you.

If you're playing full-table SnGs and you've made it to heads up, then you've already cashed for a decent amount. Try thinking about it that way: you've already made your buy-in back and then some, so just relax and have some fun. Push back when you think you've got a decent hand. C-bet with air and see if your opponent folds, because often they will. If the blinds are really high in relation to the stacks, sometimes it's just like flipping a coin anyway, so there's no point getting too stressed over it

#7 01-10-2007, 4:21 AM

HoH2 part 12 is on heads-up.

#8 01-10-2007, 5:07 AM

I love heads up!

My advice, practice on free tables, on-line, until you find it as natural as playing your first hand of the game.

#9 01-10-2007, 8:19 AM

Heads-Up play in No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em is a unique game. Many players who are successful at full ring or 6 max have a hard time adapting to playing heads up. Some practice heads up in order to succeed when they get down to the final stages of a Sit n Go or a Tournament. Others, like myself, see heads up play as an easy way to outplay an opponent and consistently build my bankroll.
There are a few unique differences with heads up play. The main difference is, there are less hands dealt, so your opponent is on a wider range of hands. Yes, this does make it harder. On the other hand, psychology and betting patterns are huge factors which can give a heads up player a huge edge over another.
Here are some tips I have for being successful at heads up cash tables and sit n go’s:

Set your image early

Within the first 10 hands, you should be able to target the player as; LAG (Loose Aggressive), TAG (Tight Aggressive), Tight Passive, Loose Passive, etc etc. You need to pay attention to how YOU are being perceived as well. I like to donate some chips in the first 3 hands, raising at least 3 of 4 starting hands pre flop in order to acquire a loose image, which will help me get paid off in the future.

Don’t Multi Table

Since you aren’t just playing the cards, you need to pay attention to the hands. How often is the other player re raising? Will he call you down with top pair? Can he lay down a hand in a big pot? What % of flops is he seeing? Playing different opponents at the same time makes this too complicated.

Click Speed

This is a huge tell in heads up play. I like to click fast in order to give the opponent the impression that I am wreckless and don’t know what I am doing. (Truth is, I’ve been playing heads up for a long time and know instantly how I am going to play the hand). This, in turn, gets the opponent frustrated and gets them to react quick as well. When this happens, it gets the opponent to act on impulse rather than ration, thus making it easier to read!

People Act on Emotion

Many players will raise the hand after they lose a big pot. Players will start to play back at you if you are raising too often pre flop. Some may buy in at a 1/2nl heads up table for $62.55 and push all in on the first hand. Some may push all in out of frustration. Pay attention and try to figure out what plays are made on emotion. Trick is to THINK FIRST, and analyze everything.
1. Be Aggressive
- This may sound simple, but the easiest way to win is to be aggressive. Of course, I mean selectively, but to the point where the opponent will pay you off when you hit a monster because they will not fold top pair against your loose style.
Good luck at the tables.

#10 01-10-2007, 9:47 AM

Make sure your bets tell a believable story (don't take crazy lines that telegraph your hand).

#11 01-10-2007, 6:34 PM

thank you! mahalo!kahm sam ni da! gracias! you guys are awesome! cardschat rocks!

#12 01-10-2007, 6:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trip2nite808

thank you! mahalo!kahm sam ni da! gracias! you guys are awesome! cardschat rocks!

If you need anymore help feel free to ask.

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