Final table and heads up play - how to improve to a decent level

LD1977

LD1977

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I occasionally play micro buyin tournaments and freerolls when I have lots of time or they are on turbo structure (takes 3-4 hours to finish).

The "problem" I am having is that I can't win a tournament. I had a bunch of final table finishes but never won.

Usually when I get to the final table everybody is pushing AI with certain frequencies (=ranges),especially the big stack if there is one. I get it in good most often (60%+ equity) so I guess my results are not that bad but I have no idea how to play heads up.

Today I finished 2nd (out of 7.500 players), by the time I was heads up the leader had 4:1 edge and I couldn't overcome it (lost a 60% AI after I managed to reduce his advantage a bit)... but to be fair I have zero heads up skills so really I just pushed with cards that were ahead of his range (which was super wide).

Is there a way for me to bring my skill in final table/heads up to a bit higher level without putting a massive effort into it (time-wise)? I don't plan to play heads up except in these cases so really there is probably no point in trying to become a master of that :p
 
LD1977

LD1977

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I started watching the video.

1. Why 6-max? 8 fish >>>> 5 fish.
2. Playing vs a mass of fishes in FR is different than playing bunch of random people in 6-max. So even though I plan to watch this, it is not really applicable.

Quick comments (first 4 minutes):
- Jam with AK (= TPTK), you are getting called by better hands a lot, no? This is not value betting as far as I understand it. I can't imagine how this is correct, if I posted this in a HH forum everybody would mock me and say I lose because I am an idiot.
- Donking with a set of 2s to "get value" from anything that hit, why not just check the flop since he bets if he hit and even if he missed? Then you can donk the turn if you really want to or let him bet it again. The set should be far ahead here unless he has a better set.
- Calling 3 bets with JJ was LOL :D OK I do this sometimes too if I note that he does this with worse or the bets are small enough.

I stopped watching at 11:55 when you called a jam on the flop with A7o (TPTK)... dunno, maybe this is how 6-max is played but seriously in FR if a fish jams like this it is an overpair+. Aggrotards do this with anything but I have zero problems with them.

P.S. I have time these days, what do I need to record a video like this? Headset with microphone (gotta buy one) and a recording software? Which free one is best?
 
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Randall McMurphy

Randall McMurphy

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The simple answer heads up is turn into a maniac. Try to dominate, raise in the SB most of the time. Any ace, king Q9 sc's any pair, air. Go for it. Only fold if shoved on if it seems right.
 
Poker Orifice

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Make adjustments based on opponent & effective stack size.

Try playing a bunch of HU Sng.
 
LD1977

LD1977

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PO - I don't want to play HU SNGs... that would cost me dearly and I don't see how I would ever recoup the losses in MTT final tables in micro stakes and freerolls. I just need some basics so I don't suck so horribly :D
 
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inflnlte

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The simple answer heads up is turn into a maniac. Try to dominate, raise in the SB most of the time. Any ace, king Q9 sc's any pair, air. Go for it. Only fold if shoved on if it seems right.

This is pretty good. You definitely have to be aggressive especially if the stacks sizes are small. Usually the aggressive player wins when heads up.
 
LD1977

LD1977

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Thx. I tended to do the opposite since in the tournaments people normally just shove, so I estimate their range and tend to wait for good hands to double up while losing small pots.
 
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jcdagenius

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I think heads up cash wil help a lot with ranges and post flop play...try it out it will help...and play heads up sit n go.....only way to improve heads up is play more heads up
 
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