111-THEMAD-111
Rock Star
Silver Level
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:
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.
- 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.
