Love SNGs, Hate HU, problem?

cuadpi · #1 01-05-2007, 03:16 PM

I like SNGs all the way to 3 people, but I am terrible at HU. I thought the best way to work on that would be some low/micro HU tourneys, but I've decided I don't like them and I think I lose more than just getting HU in SNG and practicing then. Should I give up on SNGs and stick to cash or what? The other alternative that I've been given is to just push any playable hand once I get to HU and just hope for the best. Can I still be a winning player at SNGs if I only finish first when I get really lucky?

BTW - Currently I am about even in low SNGs, so I really need to be able to win a couple (based on talent, not luck) if I want to move up or even just make any money.

AKQJ10 · #2 01-05-2007, 03:50 PM

I would imagine that as a substantially losing HU player, you're probably going to be breakeven at SnGs at best. Just an intuitive guess, mind you, but converting your 2nds into 1sts really matters. If you could become a marginally losing HU player, you could probably beat the small-stakes SnGs in general.

I see three options:
<ul type="square">[*]Accept your SnG winrate for what it is.[*]Keep seeking to improve even though you hate it. If you can break even on SS SnGs, then you have a free practice lab. It sounds like you prefer this approach to just playing HU. [*]Switch to ring games.[/list]
Experimenting with strategies that seem radical (pushing 2/3 of your hands) is not a bad idea. Proper HU play is MUCH more aggressive than even 3-handed. Many opponents will think they can adjust, but they'll still fold A7 to your push with K8.

Your problem might be even more acute with MTT since the payout slope is steeper.

Jan D. · #3 01-05-2007, 04:10 PM

Well, i'm also new to SNGs but, Dan Harringtons Hold'em Books really helped me playing HU. So my advice would be Volume II of his books.

cuadpi · #4 01-05-2007, 04:20 PM

Thanks. I think that practicing in the SNGs is my best bet, although I have started to do one SNG and one ring game (I can't play more than two tables at once - I get distracted; plus I am not great at reading hands yet, so I need to watch them more closely). I'm +EV (this means I am a slight winner, right?) at micro cash, so it makes it easier to take the bubble losses in the SNGs. It will take longer to get better at HU this way, but it is less costly and less frustrating. I will definitely work on a more aggressive strategy to see if that helps.

I'll also look into Harringtons II book. Thanks

BigBuffet · #5 01-05-2007, 06:10 PM

Doesn't your pokersite have HU games? Playing them would be the way to develop this skill.

AKQJ10 · #6 01-05-2007, 06:31 PM

This was addressed in the OP, unless you're saying that HU cash games are somehow more palatable than HU tourneys.

jedi · #7 01-05-2007, 07:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I like SNGs all the way to 3 people, but I am terrible at HU. I thought the best way to work on that would be some low/micro HU tourneys, but I've decided I don't like them and I think I lose more than just getting HU in SNG and practicing then.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sometimes the best way to get better at something is to work on it, even if you don't like it. Drop down in stakes and gain some experience.

Alternatively, if you can find a friend to practice with you, simulate end-of-game conditions by playing HU with someone with stacks and blinds close to what your last SnG was at when it became HU. It'll be faster to play those out than to play a HU SnG from scratch.

Frond · #8 01-05-2007, 08:09 PM

The thing that I found that helps me most playing a S&G heads up is don't be predictable at all. Don't raise every hand dont limp every hand etc. really mix it up a lot. Try limping with a big hand at times and the opposite.

cuadpi · #9 01-06-2007, 12:38 AM

The simulation with a friend is a great idea. I usually play on PS, and the only heads up tourneys I can find are min $5. Since I only play $5 and $10 SNGs, this is a bit expensive for practice.

I'll try to take Fronds advice about mixing it up as well. I know my own play, though, and when I try to change, it seems to telegraph even more to the other player what I am doing. I try to be consistent (i.e. raise w KJ as well as w AA, etc.) so that I'm not as obvious, but I will try mixing it up more.

Thanks, guys, for the responses.

BigBuffet · #10 01-06-2007, 12:43 AM

Practicle, not palatable.