Maryland Casinos & Gambling Forum - Poker, Pari-mutuel

pritz · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

I have caught myself in a situation like this many times. Where I am chip leader by a marginal amount and the game has reached it's heads up stage. However, the blinds are so big that everytime i lose a game i am dramatically shortened in my chip count. And i've noticed getting great hands are not often capable durings heads up play, the dillemma arises. In what way, is it possible to be conservative/ or cautious and still not spoil your chip count when the blinds are so big. Because a raise practically means half my chips, and it is hard to risk that with a bluff.

lork · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

heads up means you need to be super agressive. if you have a face card you need to be raising 4x the big blind or go all in every hand.

razor · Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Posts: 4

If you're the short stack by a lot, you have to go all in when you see good hole cards. You can double up and if he folds, you will collect his blinds and if the blinds are high, then those little pots will keep adding up and you'll catch up. I love playing heads up against passive/conservative players. They just don't seem to realize that it's time to quit only playing premium hands.

ballen · Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

I assume you are talking about tourney or sng

The hands you choose to play you should be raising more preflop.

For example

Blinds are 100/200

From SB you fold or raise to atleast 400. If I was chip leader I would be raising to 600 pre flop. If he was extremely short stacked I would be raising even more. This would force him to play only his good hands or play crappy hands for a high price. Most likely he would fold a lot and you would steal his blinds. Now if he decides to play you back and reraise you, thats where you will lose money if you dont choose the right hands to play so be careful.

From BB you can still raise with good hands or simply call if he lets you with bad hands.

pritz · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

Yes youre right ballen.Thanks for all the input.
I appreciate it.Though I'm still have some confusion with the play you've mention ballen.Thanks!

ThomasR · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 5

You need to raise preflop hard when you've got anything, look at stealing blinds as they buy you some more hands before you're forced all in, and don't fall into a process of posting blinds, folding and so forth.

Any pocket pair, suited cards, face cards and you've gotta go for it. Heads up can be won with some atrocious hands so...