How strong really is a pair heads up?

G

GreatLeslie

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 10, 2014
Total posts
165
Chips
0
I've heard many many times that when you hit a pair heads up it's a very strong hand, and much stronger than if you were in a 3-way pot. I do feel however that in a lot of situations headsup, that I'm being bluffed of what could be the best hand, mainly because I feel someone else has a better hand.


At NL2 and NL4/5

Like, if I have 45o and the flop comes 5cKd7d and my opponent bets I may be reluctant in calling with bottom pair, and then if I do call but then on the turn comes 2c and he barrels again i'm almost always folding, but I could be well ahead of course.

This is what gets me on tilt the most, not knowing whether i'n being bluffed off a hand which is in the lead. There is plenty of times where I'll hit bottom or middle pair on the flop, call a flop bet but then fold on the turn to a turn bet, when I could well be in the lead.
 
ConDeck

ConDeck

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 14, 2015
Total posts
973
Chips
0
For starters, fold 45o and similar hands, this will help you avoid the tough decisions involved in this until your hand reading skills improve...
 
M

matiusaa

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Total posts
779
Chips
0
It actually depends a lot on the player, on the stacks and on the board texture, it really does.
 
R

razzor94

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 3, 2015
Total posts
344
Awards
1
Chips
1
My HU game is weak too, probably the weakest part of my game, but what i found resarching and learning recently is that you should proceed carefully when OOP. That means 3Beting your good hands and putting in an ocasional light 3Bet just to balance your bets and keep your opponent guessing. Position, as allways is the key. I read that you should be opening 70%-100% of your BTN, depending on your style. Something that helped me the most are some starting hand charts that i found for HU play and also HU training videos. HU starting hands differ way more than when you are playing 6Max or FR since you are opening a lot from the BTN. Your ability to read and put people on a range of hands is going to be put on a test as it is much harder to read people when your playing HU. Get to know your opponent and see how he plays and then you will be comfortable making some marginal decisions if you think you have the best hand. GL
 
Latamgrinder

Latamgrinder

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Total posts
85
Chips
0
A holding strength relies on the other players range, even AA and KK equities varies depending on the other players likely holding, they are always going to be favorite but ALL hole cards equity varies depending the other player range.
 
PapaC

PapaC

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Total posts
2,798
Chips
0
If you play cards like that, then you need to run on out there and see if you are ahead with 55. Like ConDeck said, fold those cards to start with. I wish I had a dine for every time I've folded A23456789. You know why? If you get beat enough with that low kicker, you will think before you do. And it's even worse when you catch the low card on the flop. Some players can play those, but it don't work for me. Well that enough out of me. GL to you
 
ConDeck

ConDeck

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 14, 2015
Total posts
973
Chips
0
Should add a note ... I was referring to heads up play in 6max or full ring games, as in one raise one call, in an actual HU format, opening 45 is pretty standard...
 
G

GreatLeslie

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 10, 2014
Total posts
165
Chips
0
Thanks for the replies guys. I have read in the past that when you're playing at NL2 and NL5 that players don't think too much at this level, and you shouldn't really be thinking too much about ranges in too much detail but instead bet for value and call down weaker players.

There was a time last night where I was sitting there for 2 hours playing NL4 and I was break even after feeling like I was being bluffed off so many pots and hands by people betting 70-100% of the pot on the flop and turn.
 
VinnyStrat

VinnyStrat

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Total posts
603
Awards
1
Chips
1
There's a big difference between playing heads up when there are only 2 players at the table verses playing heads up when there are 9 at the table and 7 have folded. In the second case any pair is not that strong because you are likely playing against someone with a good starting hand.

In the first case, a pair is likely good and top pair is pretty good. That doesn't mean shove when you have a pair, but a bet with bottom or middle pair out of position after the flop is not necessarily a bad idea. In the second case it is.
 
ribaric

ribaric

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Total posts
780
Chips
0
I think in that situation thats a fold cuz there is 7 and K witch can beat you also A4 can beat you so thats a fold for u.
 
S

Silix00

Rising Star
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Total posts
15
Chips
0
If I go all-in with KK and my opponent has A7 he usually wins even though I'm favourite. How come?
 
bprpm

bprpm

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 21, 2015
Total posts
135
Chips
0
Heads up it' different then 6 max, 9max....
In heads up we play a lot of hands, I just fold something like 53, 62, etc....
And we hit a second pair we can barrel the flop, turn and the river.... But if we get raised we need to think... It depends of the player, stacks sizes, etc....
 
M

miley17

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Total posts
65
Chips
0
It depends - 90% of the time a pair ( pocket or not) is really strong 1v1. But u may understand that u could have the bad luck, ur opponent to get smth strongr...rare, but happens. Still, u need to raise when u have a pair. But remember to watch ur opponent's attitude. Is he bluffer, does he plays only on sure hand and so. Thats very important!
 
leshausa03

leshausa03

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Total posts
770
Awards
4
Chips
0
I'm just - the younger paire - fold, average - call, the eldest - raise or allinn
 
Top