Standard Heads Up Question
 

Hi guys,

I'm getting more and more attracted to HU SnG's, small stakes. I'm talking about $5 + $0.25. I love the fast paced action of heads up and the psychology of the game.

Anyway, i'm dealing with different kind of opponents. We all know them, loose aggressive etcetera. It looks like i don't have much problems with loose guys who call my preflop raises like all the time and fold my flop bet when they don't have top pair.

It becomes more difficult when the opponent is so very tight it gets annoying. I raise like every pot 3x BB, and in like 90% of the cases the opponent folds. I'm playing on Everest, where the stack size is pretty awkward. You start with 100 chips, and the blinds start at 0.50 - 1. Every 10 minutes they double up.

Anyway, imagine me raising almost every hand, and the opponent folding in 90% of the cases.

1) Is this a good play for me, to steal every blind? I mean, that 1 chip isn't going to give me a huge edge is it? But it looks silly to just limp in with my monsters, when you raise every pot.

2) If the opponents raises me, i'm delighted to see a flop. However, my mind sais: "Fold! Alarm! He's never raising!". So i fold in most of the cases. Also, when he calls my 3x BB bet, or maybe even more in the case of the 1 chip big blind.... it will set off an alarm too. However, most of the guys fold when they don't hit the flop, so i make a continuation bet in most cases. When he DOES hit it, and comes over the top of me, i have to give the guy credit and fold to his re-raise. He wins a big pot and we are almost even again.

But still, how do you play those opponents? Are you going to be so patient, to steal every blind and hope he'll blind himself to dead? The $/hour will be so low that way, and it will destroy my fun of playing poker, raising every hand to a folder.

Thanks for the answers.

Re: Standard Heads Up Question
 

[censored] blinds. Play on PokerStars.

But, to answer your question, you're going to get run over when the blinds increase. You're winning a lot of small pots by playing very loose, but when the blinds increase you're not going to get a lot of respect. On one hand that can be good, but on the other hand you're going to get in a lot of tough spots. I suggest playing a semi-loose game. Fold sometimes preflop, but continue the aggression. This way, you get some respect later. Also, you'll have easier decisions because 1) you are playing better hands and 2) you know he is not trying to bluff raise you much.

N

Re: Standard Heads Up Question
 

I know the blinds are awkward, however, i don't have a problem with it. Does it matter that much? I can still raise with 3x BB for example.

Anyway, best tactic is to play semi-loose?

I'm still NOT going to fold Q2o for 0.5 small blind playing heads up against such a player. these guys don't raise preflop, i get to see the flop so cheap....

Re: Standard Heads Up Question
 

Quite simply , the more he folds , the more you should raise with any two cards . If he's folding 4 out of 5 times , then you pick up 30*4=120 chips while only risking lets say 60 chips . This is very profitable .

If you think your hand is worth more than the blinds , then try limping once in a while to get a feel if he's weak postflop . If he doesn't give action postflop and is rock solid , then continue to raise with any two cards btf .

Re: Standard Heads Up Question
 

Thanks for answers.

Is there some standard must-read work on HU NL poker? Could somebody point me to a source? Thanks

Re: Standard Heads Up Question
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is there some standard must-read work on HU NL poker?

[/ QUOTE ]

This forum!

Re: Standard Heads Up Question
 

Your cards don't matter against this opponent .

Also , if he's folding to 2X your raises just as often , then you don't even need to raise 3X the BB .

Remember that your opponent misses the flop 2 out of 3 times and an aggressive style is the optimal way to play against this player type . Once he calls or raises , then make a probe bet on the flop and see what he does .

However , it's imperative that you learn how to change gears once in a while . He will catch on to what you're doing unless he's brain dead .