Explanation of Heads up
There are primarily two situations in which we find ourselves engaged in heads up poker.
1. We might be involved in a heads up cash game, either by choosing to play with just two players intentionally or because we are in a ring game where the other participants have left or have yet to join.
2. The second scenario occurs when we arrive at the final table of a tournament, and only two players remain.
It's important to understand that a hand can still be termed as 'heads up' even if more than two players were initially dealt cards. This situation arises when, for example, only two players continue after all others have folded before the flop. A typical statement might be, 'We went to the flop heads up after an opening raise and one player cold-called.'
Illustration of Heads Up in Context -> It is frequently mentioned that heads up cash games demand a greater level of skill compared to playing in short-handed or full-ring formats.
Incorporating Heads Up into Your Poker Strategy
While many seasoned cash game professionals prefer six-max or full-ring variants, a specific group of experts focuses on heads up games for the majority of their earnings. It is often believed that skilled players in heads up cash scenarios can generate higher profits compared to those playing six-max or full-ring, as they can concentrate their efforts on weaker opponents. In a ring game, players face a mix of skill levels, but a heads up player can simply leave a match when faced with a tough opponent and seek a more favorable challenge.
Adjusting strategies for heads up play varies depending on the specific poker game being played, but here are a few general principles to keep in mind.
1. Prior to the flop, players usually adopt wider ranges when engaged in heads up play. For instance, a player in a ring game might choose to enter only 20-25% of their hands, while a heads up player is likely to be involved in around 60-70% of their starting hands.
2. Once the action progresses to later rounds, made hands tend to carry more value in heads up situations. In a game of Hold’em, for example, an Ace-high hand could often secure a number of pots post-flop, whereas such a hand might be considered almost worthless in a tightly contested full-ring game.
The practice of specifically seeking out weak opponents in heads up is often informally termed 'bumhunting', which some view negatively. While it’s frowned upon because targeting recreational players can negatively impact the integrity of the poker scene, it is difficult to refute the logic of avoiding tough competition in order to maximize earnings. Thus, while it may be profitable to focus on weaker players, this approach can attract criticism from segments of the poker community.
See Also
Hold’em , Cash Game , Tournament , Ring Game
