When shorthanded gets shorthanded...

[Ignignokt]

Over the course of my poker "career" (hey, I've been playing for money for almost a year now!) I've avoided playing heads-up, for three reasons:

1) It goes too fast,

2) There's too much variance,

3) I suck at poker.

So usually when a table breaks up and it's down to just me and one other player, I sit out and look for another game.

But this week, as I was in the process of doing just that, the other guy at the table - a reasonable, not too TAGgy and not too loose player - types into chat, "you don't want to play HU?"

Don't know why, but I thought to myself, "what the heck?" Sat back in and proceeded to put all my concentration into playing a solid HU game. I basically held my own, with my stack increasing due to catching some good cards. But it felt good. After about 20 minutes HU, people started filling in the table again - and I started playing like a frickin' Jedi master.

After a while the table broke again and I was HU against a guy who seemed to be either a misguided LAG or on tilt. Again I managed to grow my stack a bit more - this time despite not catching many cards. And when the table filled in, my stack took off again. After about 3 hours at that 6-max table I quit for dinner about 60 BB up.

So I got to thinking, and the little light bulb made made that frzzzttt noise above my head as I realized how many 6-max hands are played heads-up postflop. What I was essentially doing by playing HU was getting in tune with my postflop game. It helped me think of my play in a different light - some of it I can explain, like more controlled aggression, some of it seems like just feel - and I felt way more confident in my game afterward.

I don't know if I'd go as far as to specialize in HU games, but it seems like it's a great skill to work on.

[ShakeZula06]

I don't know if that's very profitable or not.

HU rake becomes a profit killer even more menacing then usual.

[kidcolin]

I like playing HU a lot. It's a great challenge and it's definitely good for your game. However, beating the rake is nearly impossible even at 5/10, so it's not really worth the time, IMO.

[MrWookie]

I want to play a HU match w/ you on Stars 2c/4c. PM me.

[ShakeZula06]

Were you talking to me or the OP? I think you were probably addressing OP, just making sure.

Either way I have no account on PS

[MrWookie]

OP. Yay quick reply confusion.

[RunDownHouse]

This post just begs for another HULA round.

[MATT111]

I enjoy plaing HU SNGs pretty much for a change. The games are pretty easy to beat too at 20+1. I plan to check 50+2 out. Hope these are not much different.

[kapw7]

[ QUOTE ]
This post just begs for another HULA round.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great idea

I played around 10K hands 2/4 HU. I didn't give a XXX about profit. It helped my standard game A LOT. I actually made a profit in the end but only thanks to my *** deal

[Ignignokt]

[ QUOTE ]
I want to play a HU match w/ you on Stars 2c/4c. PM me.

[/ QUOTE ]
I knew as soon as I posted that I was cruisin' for a bruisin'.

Geez.