Heads Up Strategy

[mr_niceguy_1979]

Just wanted to get peoples thoughts on heads up strategy at *NPL*, it seems like the best 2 options are fold or all-in in most scenarios. Also, when it comes down to heads up, it seems more about luck than skill to a certain extent.

For discussion, consider the following scenarios. What are the possible strategies in each scenario:
1) Blinds are 3/6k, SB has 25k total, BB has 30k total. SB is dealt AJo.
2) As above, but with AA
3) As above, but with 44

Thanks

[Des]

All 3 are all-in. Stacks aren't deep enough to do much else.

With AA you might limp in, but if the BB missed completely you might not get paid off.

[bennymacca]

if the other player is also agressive, and will try to raise at every opportunity, i would consider flat calling with AA KK QQ, try to show weakness and induce a raise.

hopefully that raise means he is committed and has to put his chips in anyway.

classic scenario

another player and i were playing heads up, and we had been going for ages - at least a blind level, maybe 2.

both of us were raising on the SB, with practically anything, and making the BB fold. this continued for ages, with me not really getting anything to call all-in with until i got QQ.

i ended up flat calling, because i knew he would raise regardless at some point, but he checked on his BB. flop come with nothing, so i checked again, and his 10-3 hit a 3 on the flop, so he was all in, and i called and won.

so yeah big pocket pair i would probably try and get the other player to put their chips in with the worst hand, but with 44 i would definitely go all in as it would be too easy for someone to bluff you out of it after the flop if there are overcards.

[AceLosesKing]

NPL heads up isn't real heads up poker.

Like you said Brice most of your opportunities consist of all in, or fold.

[rcon]

For the very few times I've ended heads up, I have always thought that it would be nice to throw the blinds down a level, or maybe even two.... just to allow a little more skill to be involved. I realise that might mean things drag on, but is another 15 minutes really going to kill anyone? Mind you, 1 blind level might not introduce that much skill back into it either.

[Des]

Then the person who was forced all in on a 20k BB wouldnt complain because now that they are knocked out the blinds reduce to 5k/10k?

[Garth Kay]

15 minutes can be such a very, very, very, very long time when dealing a final table. Especially heads up!!

If I could be guaranteed two skilled/aggressive players at heads up then I wouldn't have a problem relaxing the blinds. But until that day, NPL tourneys will remain a super turbo format.

I can just imagine Darren and Matty screaming "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" at the the thought of extending or relaxing blinds at the Final Table.
Apparently BG players like the check, check, check move.

[Luke05(Jamo)]

i don't like checking at all. i would rather rasie, go hard or go home.

[rcon]

Then the person who was forced all in on a 20k BB wouldnt complain because now that they are knocked out the blinds reduce to 5k/10k?

Of course they wouldn't. Everyone knows the rules at the start of the tourney

If I could be guaranteed two skilled/aggressive players at heads up then I wouldn't have a problem relaxing the blinds. But until that day, NPL tourneys will remain a super turbo format.

Fair call too.


It was just a thought tho

[Garth Kay]

Des wrote:
Then the person who was forced all in on a 20k BB wouldnt complain because now that they are knocked out the blinds reduce to 5k/10k?



Of course they wouldn't. Everyone knows the rules at the start of the tourney

Oh Bliss!!! That would be Utpoia!