heads up vs hyperaggressive player

Wasn't sure if this should go in strategies or analysis. I won but thought this might be more of a lesson on how to play heads up against one type of player. Go ahead and pick apart anything you see I did wrong. I bolded the important parts of the history and my comments are in red.

I know this will be a long post since I want my whole Heads up looked at. I have been working on playing the players as much as the cards in heads up. It was easy to label this guy as overly aggressive but want to see if I played him right. I just became passive till I hit my hand. Passive beats hyperaggressive.

*********** # 38 **************
PokerStars Game #10169484808: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:35:43 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3825 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5175 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 50
EXEVAL: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [Ts As]
titans4ever: raises 200 to 300
EXEVAL: folds
titans4ever collected 200 from pot
titans4ever: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) collected (200)

*********** # 39 **************
PokerStars Game #10169488070: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:35:56 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3725 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5275 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 50
titans4ever: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [2c 9c]
EXEVAL: raises 3625 to 3725 and is all-in overbet
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 40 **************
PokerStars Game #10169492840: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:36:13 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3825 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5175 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 50
EXEVAL: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [Kc 7h]
titans4ever: calls 50
EXEVAL: checks
*** FLOP *** [7s Ts Js]
EXEVAL: bets 300
titans4ever: folds I thought about reraise here but was not sure how he was going to play this heads up. He was standard so far.
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board [7s Ts Js]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) folded on the Flop

*********** # 41 **************
PokerStars Game #10169497794: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:36:31 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3925 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5075 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 50
titans4ever: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [6c 8h]
EXEVAL: calls 50
titans4ever: checks
*** FLOP *** [4d 9h 3c]
titans4ever: checks
EXEVAL: bets 1600
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot overbet
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board [4d 9h 3c]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) folded on the Flop

*********** # 42 **************
PokerStars Game #10169503612: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:36:52 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4025 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4975 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 50
EXEVAL: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [Qc 5c]
titans4ever: calls 50
EXEVAL: checks
*** FLOP *** [2h 9d 4d]
EXEVAL: checks
titans4ever: bets 200
EXEVAL: raises 1300 to 1500 overbet and I fold
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 600 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 600 | Rake 0
Board [2h 9d 4d]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) collected (600)
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) folded on the Flop

*********** # 43 **************
PokerStars Game #10169510301: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:37:17 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4325 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4675 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 50
titans4ever: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [7h Ks]
EXEVAL: calls 50
titans4ever: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qd Qs 6d]
titans4ever: checks
EXEVAL: bets 1100
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board [Qd Qs 6d]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) folded on the Flop

*********** # 44 **************
PokerStars Game #10169515258: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:37:35 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4425 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4575 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 50
EXEVAL: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [9c 7c]
titans4ever: calls 50
EXEVAL: checks
*** FLOP *** [2h 2d Qd]
EXEVAL: checks
titans4ever: checks
*** TURN *** [2h 2d Qd] [3c]
EXEVAL: checks
titans4ever: checks
*** RIVER *** [2h 2d Qd 3c] [Ac]
EXEVAL: bets 100
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board [2h 2d Qd 3c Ac]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) folded on the River

*********** # 45 **************
PokerStars Game #10169522252: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:38:00 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4525 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4475 in chips) he now has the chip lead but I am not to worried
EXEVAL: posts small blind 50
titans4ever: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [6h 8c]
EXEVAL: calls 50
titans4ever: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ks Th 8h]
titans4ever: checks
EXEVAL: checks
*** TURN *** [Ks Th 8h] [Jd]
titans4ever: checks
EXEVAL: checks
*** RIVER *** [Ks Th 8h Jd] [3d]
titans4ever: checks
EXEVAL: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
titans4ever: shows [6h 8c] (a pair of Eights) thought about betting but did not want a reraise. This also showed him I did not bet even when I hit the flop. Is this bad for a set up for later?
EXEVAL: mucks hand
titans4ever collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board [Ks Th 8h Jd 3d]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) mucked [As 9h]
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) showed [6h 8c] and won (200) with a pair of Eights

*********** # 46 **************
PokerStars Game #10169529081: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:38:25 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4425 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4575 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 50
EXEVAL: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [8h 2c]
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 100 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) collected (100)
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 47 **************
PokerStars Game #10169531790: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:38:36 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4475 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4525 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 50
titans4ever: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [9h 8s]
EXEVAL: raises 1800 to 1900 overbet
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 48 **************
PokerStars Game #10169535275: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:38:48 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4575 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4425 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 50
EXEVAL: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [Jd 3c]
titans4ever: calls 50
EXEVAL: raises 4475 to 4575 and is all-in overbet, by now I know I have to set him up when I finally do hit the flop.
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 49 **************
PokerStars Game #10169539243: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/05/29 - 16:39:04 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4675 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4325 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 50
titans4ever: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [7c Ac]
EXEVAL: calls 50
titans4ever: raises 200 to 300
EXEVAL: folds
titans4ever collected 200 from pot
titans4ever: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) collected (200)

*********** # 50 **************
PokerStars Game #10169543977: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2007/05/29 - 16:39:21 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (4575 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (4425 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 75
EXEVAL: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [9d Jd]
titans4ever: calls 75
EXEVAL: checks
*** FLOP *** [3s Td Qs]
EXEVAL: checks
titans4ever: bets 150
EXEVAL: calls 150
*** TURN *** [3s Td Qs] [7h]
EXEVAL: bets 450
titans4ever: calls 450
*** RIVER *** [3s Td Qs 7h] [4c]
EXEVAL: checks
titans4ever: bets 900
EXEVAL: folds I was not sure if I should bet here but he showed weakness for the first time, not sure if this was a set up on his part or not since I finally called some of his bets.
titans4ever collected 1500 from pot
titans4ever: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1500 | Rake 0
Board [3s Td Qs 7h 4c]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) folded on the River
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) collected (1500)

*********** # 51 **************
PokerStars Game #10169555295: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2007/05/29 - 16:40:02 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3825 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5175 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 75
titans4ever: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [Ts Ah]
EXEVAL: calls 75
titans4ever: raises 5025 to 5175 and is all-in time to push back alittle.
EXEVAL: folds
titans4ever collected 300 from pot
titans4ever: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 300 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) collected (300)

*********** # 52 **************
PokerStars Game #10169559200: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2007/05/29 - 16:40:16 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3675 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5325 in chips)
titans4ever: posts small blind 75
EXEVAL: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [Jd Qs]
titans4ever: calls 75
EXEVAL: raises 3525 to 3675 and is all-in back at it
titans4ever: folds
EXEVAL collected 300 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 300 | Rake 0
Seat 2: EXEVAL (big blind) collected (300)
Seat 6: titans4ever (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 53 **************
PokerStars Game #10169563493: Tournament #51541155, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2007/05/29 - 16:40:32 (ET)
Table '51541155 1' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: EXEVAL (3825 in chips)
Seat 6: titans4ever (5175 in chips)
EXEVAL: posts small blind 75
titans4ever: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to titans4ever [5h Ks]
EXEVAL: calls 75
titans4ever: checks
*** FLOP *** [Kh Jc 2s] bingo
titans4ever: checks
EXEVAL: bets 3675 and is all-in
titans4ever: calls 3675
*** TURN *** [Kh Jc 2s] [4h]
*** RIVER *** [Kh Jc 2s 4h] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
titans4ever: shows [5h Ks] (a pair of Kings)
EXEVAL: shows [7c Tc] (high card King) thanks for playing. Did not have a draw or anything, lol.
titans4ever collected 7650 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7650 | Rake 0
Board [Kh Jc 2s 4h 9c]
Seat 2: EXEVAL (button) (small blind) showed [7c Tc] and lost with high card King
Seat 6: titans4ever (big blind) showed [5h Ks] and won (7650) with a pair of Kings

Yep. These are great people to play against unless you're sitting very shortstacked (in which case we should hate playing them).

I much prefer playing weak-tight players HU who never put money in the middle without top pair or better, but with these aggromaniacs, all we have to do is wait. Basically all they're doing is putting unnecessarily large amounts of money or chips in the middle with marginal hands. Wait for a solid hand, and trap him

Like I said, the problem arises when we are sitting on a shortstack and he is still coming at us every pot. That's probably the worst case scenario HU.

wp, titans.

These are the type of players that have me on a heads up kick lately. They are all over full tilt too. 2 out of 3 people I play against heads up have this approach. I think you played him well also. They start to feel that they can take any pot they want and then boom, you've got em.

ChuckTs -- I can't stand playing those weak tight players who only put money in with top pair. Yes, you can win a lot of small pots, but you can't trap them and it's extremely hard to get all of thier money in the middle, when you're on top. What's your approach with these guys? Just keep taking down small pots and you better have the nutz when played back at?

pokernut said:

ChuckTs -- I can't stand playing those weak tight players who only put money in with top pair. Yes, you can win a lot of small pots, but you can't trap them and it's extremely hard to get all of thier money in the middle, when you're on top. What's your approach with these guys? Just keep taking down small pots and you better have the nutz when played back at?

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I chip away at these guys. You said it yourself. I never bet the pot if the minimum can scare them off a hand. This way you reduce how much they win when you get resistance. You risk as little as possible to win hands. If you steal blinds 2 out of 3 times you are going to gain ground against them or push yourself farther ahead. You get a call for one of those three but you still will win some of those hands because you are not always bluffing and they may not hit on the flop. You will be slowly taking away their chips. The funny thing is sometimes these weak players don't realize until it is to late to even fight back because they bled so many chips away.

pokernut said:

ChuckTs -- I can't stand playing those weak tight players who only put money in with top pair. Yes, you can win a lot of small pots, but you can't trap them and it's extremely hard to get all of thier money in the middle, when you're on top. What's your approach with these guys? Just keep taking down small pots and you better have the nutz when played back at?

Click to expand...

Just chip away. Once in a while they'll get frustrated and put their money in with a less-than-premium hand, and if you pick up a monster then you're sittin pretty. Other than that, just chip away at their stack.

This is especially effective in the late stages of SnGs when Ms are low. They rarely get their money in without AT+, KQ or a solid pair. Soooo easy to steal from

Yeah, good point. I usually play the heads up cash games though, not SNG's, so it seems a little different, even though it's really not (just different because I can get up at any time). I am trying to get people to throw all of their chippies in with the worst hand. I guess you can still be profitable against a weak tight type, but I usually get bored and then I'll find myself slipping before them.

I usaully just run off and try to find another maniac who loves bluffing and throwing all their chips in with mid pair, etc.

pokernut said:

Yeah, good point. I usually play the heads up cash games though, not SNG's, so it seems a little different, even though it's really not (just different because I can get up at any time). I am trying to get people to throw all of their chippies in with the worst hand. I guess you can still be profitable against a weak tight type, but I usually get bored and then I'll find myself slipping before them.

I usaully just run off and try to find another maniac who loves bluffing and throwing all their chips in with mid pair, etc.

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The only difference is that Ms will be higher at a HU cash table. Just be patient, and you'll eventually either chip his whole stack away, or get him so frustrated that he'll start fighting back with garbage.

Weak-tight is pretty much the *worst* style for HU play. Take advantage of those who play that way

I'd agree with what Chuck said earlier about playing a conservative player who only bets off of pairs. A few prodding bets in the first 4 or 5 hands of head up and you should have some estimate of how they are going to play. You might get a number of different looks in certain situations but you should be able to come up with something early on, then assess what strategy you should adopt for the rest of the game.