Heads Up Strategy - 5 Tips To Improve Your Game

April 14th, 2010

Texas Hold’Em is a game of strategy, as well as luck. Out playing your opponents can be just as profitable, if not more so, than simply holding the cards. Heads up, this is amplified, as the dynamics are far different than when there is a full table.

Strategies that work at a full poker table will not always be the best play when you are facing just one other opponent. So what should you do in this situation? There are 5 tips and strategies that will greatly improve you odds of winning while in heads up.

Tip 1: Play Off Of Your Opponent

What this means is if you are in the final stage of a tournament, you should know what sort of player the person is. Are they tight or loose? Passive or aggressive? If they are a tight player, then you want to play loose, widening your hand range, and raising far more often, even with mediocre cards. If they are a loose player, then tighten up some, but you do not want to go too tight, since you will be posting blinds, and more than likely antes, every turn.

Tip 2: Always Raise With Certain Hands

There are some hands that you will ALWAYS raise with. Any A, K, Q, or J, suited or non, you should raise. Even if you have a bottom of the barrel kicker, you should raise, for these hands heads up are almost gold. Many times, depending on your opponent, you can win the pot then and there, but if not, hold strong showdown value.

Tip 3: Any Pair Is Good

When there are several players to face, hands like 2/2, and 3/3 are not very strong, even if you hit a set on the flop. There are plenty of ways for your opponents to out draw you with such a low set. However, when heads up, you are more than likely far ahead of your opponents holdings when holding even bottom pair, be it pocket pair or on the flop. This is where you can get your money in with a reasonable chance of making a profit.

Tip 4: Do Not Put Stock In Suited Connectors

Suited connectors are great with multiple players, and still hold some value heads up, but they are not nearly as strong. Just because they are suited, do not fall in love with them, which is a tip that not only applies in heads up play, but for all stages of poker, be it tournament or cash game.

Tip 5: Vary Your Play

Again, this also applies to all levels of poker, but in heads up, is crucial. You do not want to fall into a pit of playing automaton, for you a strong opponent will recognize that, and change their style accordingly to win the tournament. So there are times where you should raise with hands such as 7/3, and simply limp with hands such as A/K to throw your opponent off balance, keeping you in control.

Through persistence, patience, and these guidelines for heads up, you stand a strong chance of winning heads up battles frequently, giving you a stronger ROI, and making you more profit in the long run. Good luck on the felts!

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