Heads up

Hi Guys.

I`m doing ok playing SNG`s, but I find I`m falling short when I get heads up after seeing off the rest of the table, at least I think I am.

Over the past 2 weeks I`ve played 20 SNG`s, all $10-20 buyins. 6 of them have been 2 table SNG`s with 18 players.

I have staked $352 dollars (including house fee of about 10%) and I have won $429. A profit of $77 - not big money I know

I`ve placed in 6 of them, and have been 1st 2 times, 2nd 4 times - have hit a third, but the specific tourny did not pay 3rd.

Tell me if I`m just getting paranoid, but I feel my heads up play could do with improving.

I find that lots of ppl go all in on a regular basis heads up and when I call with say KQ they have an A and get me, or worse still, after the flop they go all in, I miss the flop with say AK that I decided to slow play, and they show 64 which has hit 2 pair or something - my own fault for not raising pre flop ???

I got to thinking that because the buyin is relativly low, as soon as ppl get in the money do they loose their inhibitions and not care as much because they have got more than their stake back?

I would be interested in your comments and advice guys.

Ronaldadio

In heads-up play, you have to re-adjust your game plan. You've got to loosen up your starting hands and become much more aggressive. In my opinion, the idea of top ten starting hands goes out the window.

With only two of you, bluffing at the pot also comes into play more. Chances are that the flop has completely missed you both, so why not take a stab at it. Heads-up is definitely a case of play the player and not your cards. Use your betting as a weapon. You cannot be weak/passive heads-up and expect to win. Aggression is the key.

Bet stronger with bigger hands, this way if you do lose you at least lost with best hand going in.. if you have K,Q raise more then you normally would.. If you have 6,4 in the Sb raise anyway.. you have to be the agressor not the agressee.

when you're on the button....raise

I tend to call any min-raise that anyone makes with almost any 2 cards...72, 83, and 94 excluded.

Never slow play a non-made hand. ESPECIALLY AK. Raise big preflop and punish him.

If you flop the nut straight and no flush draw is present, slow play it occasionally. For example If you have 6d8c and the flop comes 7d9h5s. Check. A good player will bluff at the pot (or if your lucky he has A9). Just call his bet - and bet out big regardless of the card on the turn. You'll get a lot more money from him this way

be AGGRESSIVE. If someone shows weakness, BET

Remember that middle / bottom pair are decent hands on some flops. TPTK is a GREAT hand. Trips will rarely lose heads up.