Heads Up Poker Strategy - it’s down to the last two players
"Heads Up" poker is when it’s down to the last two players. You can play tournaments that consist of only heads up.
Reading Your Opponent
If you can get any information on your opponent you can use it throughout the heads up match. Maybe they fold to big raises, over-bet with weak hands, or always bet the pot on the end when checked all the way. Remember, your opponent is also watching you so you need to mix up your plays.
Position
The small blind has the position for the hand post-flop. Therefore, even if your hand is weak, the position you hold can make up for limping in. You will get to see your opponent’s decisions and then you can take advantage of them.
Aggression
This is the most important factor. Usually the most aggressive will win. If you are playing tight, your stack will dwindle with every blind and when you do get a hand, your opponent will fold knowing that the blinds he has stolen is where the money is. You need to limp in more and raise even more.
Hand Selection
Any pair, Ace or face card is considered enough to raise with, as on average you will be ahead. Consider opponent raises carefully and try to use and reads you have on your opponent to decide whether you are ahead or behind and what the pot odds are.
Pot Odds
The pot odds show it’s incorrect to fold your small blind preflop but this would only be good if your opponent never raises. For example:
The blinds are $200/$400 and $50 ante, the pot starts at $200 + $400 + $50 + $50 = $700. You need to call $200 more giving you 3.5 : 1 pot odds. That is good enough to call with any hand.
However, if you opponent consistently raises then you should consider your hand selection and fold weak hands.
Heads up play is stressful to most players as you are making the hard decisions every hand. Working on some of these strategy tips can help with those decisions.
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