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head up poker

As the name should be clear “Heads-Up” - it is one on one game. Every player meets an opponent in tournaments. The one on one game requires dueling skills. Below we are going to talk about it.

Every poker tournament ends up with the final Heads-Up. Which is the key moment of the tournament because the total pot’s been played out.

Not many players get to Heads Up. Exactly for who loves tournaments, confrontation some poker rooms lounge Heads-Up SnG, where all hands happen one on one.

There are different types of one on one tournaments. It could be:

  • different stack sizes;
  • blinds sizes and frequency of their increase;
  • ante or no ante.

Duel Game

The main thing to remember it is statistical tab on the number of convenient for implementation in Heads Up hands:

  1. Opponents in get their outs on Flop every third shaffle;
  2. Draw combinations reach 10-13% of all hands;
  3. Classical hands which are good enough for traditional play with high pot potential in Heads Up are 50% less.

This situation makes their value times higher as long as it is Heads Up Poker.

Long ago charts of starter hands have been invented and tried for better games. But tactical tricks and general strategy in one on one poker requires statistical validity. According to it following starter hands on pre flop have equity more that 50%:

  • All pocket pairs;
  • Ace and King with any other card;
  • Q+3, J+5, T+7, 8+9 suited. Second card in these combinations is starter. Meaning that it is worth to play this hand when your pocket cards are not less than presented;
  • Q+5, J+8, T+9 and higher off suited.

According to poker statistics, pocket pairs will be higher than opponents cards in 80% cases (1 to 17). Cases where both opponents have pocket pair happen only in one of 300 shuffles.

The value of combinations increases proportionally to the value of cards. Thus, for example, top pair on flop in Heads Up poker match to set combination for multi players table.

Kicker also considers differently. Here it almost doesn’t have any sense. The reason is chances to put together similar combinations from board cards are scanty. Even 2 as a dopper gives more than 60% to win in a showdown. That is why it is very productive to play aggressively even just a Top pair during the whole game.

head up

Loose-aggressive gambling style

Again, returning to the features of Heads-Up poker, we have to note the strategic victories achieved in games when players can bet on perspective. Let’s have a look at few recommendations for those who learns how to play Heads-Up poker:

Position. It might sound strange but in one on one games position plays a very important role. Most top players admit that a small blind position is more profitable.

Start of the game. Because it is a pretty new discipline, the approach to the game is different from traditional games. For getting first experience professionals recommend to start from SnG tournaments (Heads Up). A lot of mistakes made in the start of the game mostly will be compensated by other players' mistakes. It will help to keep bankroll on the same level. Second advantage is time. Tournaments go on fast and give opportunity to analyse the game.

Choosing table. The search for tables must be like a professional regular player does it. They do not sit down, in this case statistics will show up later. Do the same. Awaiting a game player probably new as well so to play will be more comfortable.

Game at a few tables. Heads-Up Poker considers blinds for both players so it is hard to fold inconvenient cards all the time. Here more often you have to enter to flop and develop your combination. It takes more time and attention that’s why two tables are maximum.

Game Style. Do not play rubbish hands. Do not check and do not just call to raises. Raise on pre flop with intention to take pot. But be ready to re-raise and keep in mind how to behave on river. Folds make sense if opponent often re-raises your bets. But you have to be ready to go to showdown with tight hand.

Stop Loss. Nobody’s safe from tilt but professional players have tough pales. So when they reach them they just stop playing and analysing it. The signal to stop playing might be lost tournaments, few consecutive losses from the same player, decrease of bankroll to the set mark. The main thing is to follow your own pales and realise that tilt may happen with anyone.

Notes. Competitions with the same players can be brought to automatism if you note thir auto moves. Opponent folds twice consecutive to your call or raise. Repeat your move even if your hand is average. Active betting from the opponent is too often then played “check - raise”.

Heads Up Poker Strategy. It is necessary to have a strategy for any type of player. For aggressive ones, who bets and re-raises every bet will be a great statedy of call down on coincidence. For those who cold calls to the river would be awesome to have at least minimal combination and raise for value from time to time.

Psychology. In online games it is quite hard to make one mad and push to make mistakes. But it is still possible. Open your cards after winning a big pot with bluff and your opponent will call to the river next time when you have a strong combination. Your slowplay also may drive him nuts because normally Heads Up poker is a very dynamic game.

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