HU Improvement
 

I've played at least 2k HU matches but have only taken them seriously the last hundred. What can you do to help improve your game? I'm looking to become a better player. I have PT and HUD. How can pokerstove be used? When going over HH what do you look for?

Re: HU Improvement
 

To me it sounds like you are on your way

Re: HU Improvement
 

Pokerstove is very useful for the heads up player . It will not solve all your problems but you can get an idea of what hands you should raise/re-raise with given a pre-assigned range for villain . It may also help in determining what hands you should make calls with on various board textures given the pot odds you're receiving .

For instance , if your opponent only raises with A-x hands (for simplicity), then pokerstove will show that you should re-raise with a-8 + .

Re: HU Improvement
 

How do you determine a villians range?

Re: HU Improvement
 

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How do you determine a villians range?

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Re: HU Improvement
 

You make your best guess, based on how villain has been playing, and what sorts of things have been shown.

It's clearly *not* an exact science, but it's one of the most important things to be able to guess correctly. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: HU Improvement
 

Simple observation. Use the lower blind levels to get a couple cheap showdowns, and analyze how he plays the hands. what does he complete with?What does he raise with?
Will he check tp? bet bottom pair? use cheap showdowns to gain valuable information.

Re: HU Improvement
 

How do you get a general idea on how to do so?

Re: HU Improvement
 

by playing against him?!?

No really, some players are really tight, if they raise pre-flop they have an ace (or better most of the time).

Many players @ the low stakes are playing straight-forward anyway.

Re: HU Improvement
 

Most of it is experience, plus playing observantly and thinking critically.

Re: HU Improvement
 

okay i have a general idea of how to find a villians range now how do i use pokerstove to exploit this? what is the point of this though if you never see the villian in a match again?

Re: HU Improvement
 

Heres a good start for hand reading

thats right

Re: HU Improvement
 

How do you set up PT and Hud for HH matches? What type of numbers do you look for (VPIP etc.)

Re: HU Improvement
 

Pokerstove isn't something that's generally used during a match.

You use it for specific hand analysis after a match, and you use the conclusions from that analysis in the future.

Pokerstove can only show you whether it's good to bet/raise/call in a specific situation.

And when you know how to handle every situation against every type of villain, you will be a poker god, and people will pray to you continuously for suckouts and for their hands to hold.

Re: HU Improvement
 

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okay i have a general idea of how to find a villians range now how do i use pokerstove to exploit this? what is the point of this though if you never see the villian in a match again?

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There are only so many styles. As a general rule, you will be able to make strong conclusions about your present opponent's style after a few hands, especially at the lower levels.

I think it is mandatory to learn these traits, as taking out a villain accurately and quickly does wonders for the hourly rate and ROI, because your edge decreases as the match continues.

Re: HU Improvement
 

Is there any way to find a general idea of most of these styles?

Re: HU Improvement
 

Seriously, with 2K HU matches under your belt you should know exactly what your opponents styles are. Some are very common, some are rare, but it doesn't take very long to dial in an opponent. There just aren't that many ways they mix it up down low. More importantly look for the holes.

Use the early hands to figure out how he responds to aggression. Will he punish a limp, does he understand position, does he always raise, is he too loose pf, too tight pf. How much of a pf raise before he thinks you are serious? Does he call the flop with anything, does he bet draws, does he bet bottom pair, is he passive, will he chase. How does he play a monster, is he trappy, aggressive, straightforward. Can he get value? Will he semi-bluff, will he crai. How often is he bluffing, will he go after orphans, will he fold to a c-bet, does he float, will a second barrel work, can he even fold? How often does he mix it up, can he change gears, what chip level does he panic at, how can you frustrate him, is he sizing his bets with the strength of his hands?

The second thing I am looking at is how does he view me, can he put me on a semi-bluff or a draw. If I am betting can he put me on bottom pair? Do I always have an ace or king when I bet an a/k high board. Does he see monsters or BS. Is he even looking past his cards?

Third thing I look at is my own play against him. What pots have I lost against him, was I ahead when I got it in, did I overplay a hand, was he tricky or trappy. How will I lose the most chips against, are we just going to flip after trading blinds for 50 hands? What does it look like he is taking advantage of, what gear do I need to hit to counteract and exploit. Where do I need to adjust my range to play optimally against him. What tools does he have in his bag, how is he using them against me.

The basic loose/tight, passive/aggressive styles help you know where to look and exploit. They help you determine ranges and read hands, but you are looking for specific weaknesses. You apply systematic pressure until you spot the cracks.

Mike

Re: HU Improvement
 

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Is there any way to find a general idea of most of these styles?

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In a word: experience. I hate to say osmosis, but that is about it. I think Mike gives a good starting point, but that wasn't what I was getting at. Once you get the idea, you want to take out, or cripple your opponent, in the first level (less than 10 hands, preferably).