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

FYI, I was in scenario 1 last night and ended up pushing all-in and got called by AKo. A paired board (664) gave me some hope of a split pot but I was well behind all the way and her AK kickers came into play. I think if I played it differently, ie min raised and then pushed them off the pot after the flop, that I might have been able to represent high pockets and get them to fold. That's the only other strategy I reckon I could have used to win the pot but realistically, I think I did everything I could, was just unlucky.

[David]

Push someone off a hand heads up at the final table? After they have money in? With AK? Won't happen

[bennymacca]

how many times heads up (in a super turbo tourney) would you get dealt AJ, let alone getting dealt AJ and the other person AK?

i think u made the right move, just unlucky.

[rcon]

That hurts nice_guy - AJ v AK heads up.

Can't really fault the play tho, its just a shame you didn't have more chips to play it out longer with

Nasty.

[David]

Heads up is basically just like the bad beats heads up.. one chip denominations.

[AceLosesKing]

how many times heads up (in a super turbo tourney) would you get dealt AJ, let alone getting dealt AJ and the other person AK?

Exactly. I too think you made the right decision, just bad timing. Like when you've got KK and the other player has AA.

[mr_niceguy_1979]

That hurts nice_guy - AJ v AK heads up.

Can't really fault the play tho, its just a shame you didn't have more chips to play it out longer with

Nasty.

Yeah, it hurt, but I didn't mind as I had my fair share of luck throughout the night including a beat on Mr CBD that I'll remember for a while.

1) Hand before the first break, I have 910o on BB (50/100). Early position calls, Mr CBD goes all-in for 1k (mid position), I have exactly 1k. I put him on nothing (and on tilt) and call with thoughts of my AJ loss to his 45o a couple of weeks ago (plus he has no card to get him back in), and early position calls as well. AKo v 910o v Mr CBD (27hearts). Flop comes 910x including 2 hearts. I hit 2 pair on the flop, river and turn no more hearts and I take down a 3k pot before the break.

2) Final table. I have pocket 4s UTG with 7k (blinds 2/4k). I go all-in and get 1 caller who has me covered. He turns over pocket 5s! I hit my 4 on the flop to get trips to win the pot

3) I have 45 suited on SB, I call as I have an all-in covered with my SB bet. 4 runners (inc BB and UTG). Flop comes 369, I say I'm checking down the side pot, another guy checks, last to call goes all-in. It's an extra 1.5k and I have a bit left over so I call. He turns over A10, other guy has has 710 (BB folds). Turn J, he's now worried about the 8. River comes, it's a 2. He's loving it but little does he realise I have the straight!

Ahh good times!

[AceLosesKing]

3) I have 45 suited on SB, I call as I have an all-in covered with my SB bet. 4 runners (inc BB and UTG). Flop comes 269, I say I'm checking down the side pot, another guy checks, last to call goes all-in. It's an extra 1.5k and I have a bit left over so I call. He turns over A10, other guy has has 710 (BB folds). Turn J, he's now worried about the 8. River comes, it's a 2. He's loving it but little does he realise I have the straight!

Ahh good times!

That would be a 3, yes?

[mr_niceguy_1979]

That would be a 3, yes?

oops, flop was 369, not 269.

[Des]

AK vs AJ heads up is just a huge cooler... no way you are getting away from that.