$.25 NLHE MTT: HU calling flop and turn with top pair weak kicker

I struggle understanding aggression from villain when I play heads up, this player particulary was playing super tight when we were 9 handed all the way to the heads up, (s)he started to play very aggro and weird, I wasn't able to get a read until later, so, this is the hand, watching it now I think I would call, maybe calling would'nt be too hurtful and would help me to have a better read on later hands.


pokerstars - 500/1000 Ante 100 NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by Holdem Manager 3

SB: 50,027 (50 bb)
Hero (BB): 84,973 (85 bb)

2 players post ante of 100, SB posts 500, Hero posts BB 1,000

Pre Flop: (pot: 1,700) Hero has
SB raises to 2,100, Hero calls 1,100

Flop: (4,400, 2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets 1,408, Hero calls 1,408

Turn: (7,216, 2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets 3,752, Hero calls 3,752

River: (14,720, 2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets 10,304, Hero folds

Results: 14,720 pot (0 rake)
Final Board:

SB wins 14,720

tewwa94 said:

I struggle understanding aggression from villain when I play heads up, this player particulary was playing super tight when we were 9 handed all the way to the heads up, (s)he started to play very aggro and weird, I wasn't able to get a read until later, so, this is the hand, watching it now I think I would call, maybe calling would'nt be too hurtful and would help me to have a better read on later hands.


PokerStars - 500/1000 Ante 100 NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by Holdem Manager 3

SB: 50,027 (50 bb)
Hero (BB): 84,973 (85 bb)

2 players post ante of 100, SB posts 500, Hero posts BB 1,000

Pre Flop: (pot: 1,700) Hero has
SB raises to 2,100, Hero calls 1,100

Flop: (4,400, 2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets 1,408, Hero calls 1,408

Turn: (7,216, 2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets 3,752, Hero calls 3,752

River: (14,720, 2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets 10,304, Hero folds

Results: 14,720 pot (0 rake)
Final Board:

SB wins 14,720

Click to expand...

HU is totally different man..... I'd say this is almost always a call otr, but there are so many indescribable variables to HU play.

Heads up play has to be treated differently by far from full ring. Many plays HU will raise every time they are the button and will barrel often simply because that is the standard play heads up. You have to throw out what you know about the player until you play them heads up. The nittiest of nits full ring can turn in to lags when playing heads up.

As far as the hand goes I am not sure what number hand this was in the heads up battle but if you were saying that they got super agg then you must call down with top pair hands. In heads up play one pair hands are very strong especially when it is top pair. If you fold too often in heads up play you will be exploited quickly. It will suck sometimes when villain turns over trips here but the majority of the time I would say you are good here and need to call.