declining a headsup offer is what

i've lost quite a bit online, and haven't exactly been crushing the lives games around where I live. And now someone wants to play me heads up for a substantial amount of money and I said no.

Does me saying no, make me look scared or a puss? Reason why i said no is because: currently on terrible tilt, not enough cash to sit down for the match, and this kid's a complete reckless donk but the way cards have been falling for me, he'll probably catch a runner runner or something.

btw, anyone want to coach me online? perhaps incentives can be negotiated. pm me for details or if interested.

There's nothing wrong with recognizing that your confidence isn't strong enough to take this guy on. I think that's being pretty smart.

What would you do if someone challenged you to a game of Badugi or Crazy Pineapple? You'd say something like "Sorry. I don't do those, man." You could say the something similar in this case. "I don't play heads-up enough." If he razzes you, just feel good about being honest and sensible enough not to take him on without confidence.

However, I would start practicing your heads-up play. You should be able to take on ANY type of player with any ratio of stacks in any situation. That's what I did. I had one guy beat me pretty regularly in heads-up NL sit-n-go's, so I practiced quite a bit and I think I've become pretty darned good at it. If I ever play him again, I'll be ready. Start at the $1 or $2 buy-ins where you can practice and actually learn from your opponents. When you get good, you won't have to back down anymore. Good luck.

It really matters if it does or doesn't? I'll answer that for you: No, and you don't have to lick a pole in the freezing cold when someone triple-dog-dares you either...

Always love hearing "A Christmas Story" references!

and to the OP..... don't sweat it dude, you will play when you feel like it, doesn't make you anything to say no....what are you in High School? No....(I assume) so you made the right choice for you. Screw him if he's goading you now or calling you names...

i love that movie!!

well I ask people to go HU all the time because frankly im a very good HU player, if they decline I make fun of them alot because im trying to bait them into playing. I play crazy LAG style at my table so people think im terrible so I ask them to take my money HU. If they say no again I make fun of them but I dont think any less of them as players. Some people are just not as good HU as others.

HU is a new game and skill all together.

At this point in time, to that kid, yes it does make you look scared or a puss.
KNOW this!, This will be a great tool for YOU!. If you are in contact with this kid regularly, wait until your confidence is high, and his is low.

This kid don't know it but you're already playing the first hand........

KILL,CRUSH,DESTROY! Then eat their babies!

A good poker player knows his limits and plays within them. You answered your own question and now just want to make sure you are right.

You said it is out of your bankroll at the moment so that alone should make this question easier to answer.
Your confidence is down so that should also make this an easier to answer.
You don't sound like a winning players so that makes it easier.
You don't have alot of experience heads up, that makes it easier.

If you want, get him to lower the stakes and play over multiple sessions for the same amount. Instead of $100 for one match which anyone can get lucky on. Challenge him to 5 matches at $20 each. That will show who is really the better player anyway. This way you can get some heads up experience and unless he is insanely lucky you should win at least a couple of the matches and be out at most $60 - $80.