Heads up poker is a unique and challenging form of the game where two players go head-to-head in a battle of wits and strategy. In this format, playing the right hands is crucial to your success. Knowing which hands to play and when to play them can mean the difference between winning and losing.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into what hands you should play in heads up poker. We will cover everything from starting hand selection to post-flop play. So, let’s get started!
Starting Hand Selection
The first thing you need to consider when playing heads up poker is your starting hand selection. With only two players at the table, you will be playing many more hands than in a full-ring game.
When selecting your starting hands, it’s important to remember that heads up poker is all about aggression. You need to be willing to play lots of pots and put pressure on your opponent. With that in mind, here are some starting hands that you should consider playing:
1. Pocket pairs – Any pocket pair is a strong starting hand in heads up poker. You have a good chance of hitting a set or even a full house on the flop.
2. Suited connectors – Suited connectors like 8-9 or 7-8 are great starting hands in heads up poker because they have the potential to make strong hands like straights and flushes.
3. Ace-x suited – Ace-x suited hands like A-2s or A-3s are also strong starting hands because they give you the potential to make top pair with an ace and a flush draw.
4. High card hands – High card hands like A-K or K-Q are also good starting hands because they have the potential to make top pair or even better.
Post-Flop Play
Once you’ve selected your starting hand, it’s time to start thinking about post-flop play. This is where heads up poker really gets interesting. With only two players at the table, you will be playing a lot of pots post-flop.
When playing post-flop in heads up poker, it’s important to remember that aggression is key. You need to be willing to bet and raise frequently in order to put pressure on your opponent. Here are some tips for playing post-flop in heads up poker:
1. Continuation betting – If you raised pre-flop and your opponent calls, you should consider making a continuation bet on the flop. This will put pressure on your opponent and allow you to take down the pot if they don’t have a strong hand. Bluffing – Bluffing is an important part of heads up poker.
When your opponent checks to you, it’s a good time to consider bluffing. However, be careful not to overdo it as your opponent may catch on and start calling you down.
3. Value betting – When you have a strong hand, it’s important to extract as much value as possible from your opponent. This means making bets that are large enough to get called but not so large that they scare off your opponent.
Conclusion
Heads up poker is an exciting and challenging form of the game that requires skill and strategy. When playing heads up poker, selecting the right hands is crucial to your success. Remember to stay aggressive and put pressure on your opponent at every opportunity.
By following the tips outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful heads up poker player!
