All this talk about online poker, I decided to play this am.
I hadn't played for a while, so I figured the software might help me--you know, to keep me hooked. (Yeah, I know, you think I'm crazy/stupid about online poker.)
Since I didn't have time for a tournament--I have my Sunday event in about an hour--and there is no collusion with a heads-up game, I played in a $1-$2 cash HU game. I bought in for $150.
Situation: Heads-Up cash. I have $150. My opponent has $200. (Also, my opponent is sitting and waiting for opponents at other HU tables so he probably has a lot of experience.)
Hand one: I'm in the big blind for $2.
My opponent raises to $6.
I have K-2 offsuit. I call. (Note: No, it's not a bad play on my part.)
The flop comes down A-K-2 with two spades.
My opponent bets $10.
What to do?
a) Call
b) Raise to $20-$40.
c) Move all-in.
Since this was the first hand, and it's online poker, my opponent has no clue about me as a player. I am hoping he has A-Q and not A-K...but flopping two pair ain't easy.
Of course, there are two cards to a flush draw.
My thinking:
If I call, there are few if any cards on the turn that are going to build the pot for me...or add to my comfort level.
If I raise, I might just slow down his betting, and again, what will I do on the turn since I have bottom two pair and not top two pair?
if a push all-in here, he may think a)I'm some crazy online poker player and 2)I'm on a flush draw. I want a call since I'm willing to gamble...it is poker, and not a science.
I move all-in. He insta-calls.
The turn is a 2...and I win $150.
Since I hate people who win a big hand and leave right away, I played for 15 more minutes. Nothing exciting happened. I ended up +$142.
Showing posts with label heads-up poker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heads-up poker. Show all posts
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tonight I Played Heads Up No Limit Poker: Thoughts and Advice
I've been playing no limit heads-up poker cash on Full Tilt poker the past few nights.
It is certainly interesting since I've never done it before. That is, I've only played no limit heads-up with tournament chips never cash.
The tournament chips heads-up game is different in that the players are more aggressive with making big bets. I play $100 NL buy-in heads-up tournament chip games, so my guess is my opponents feel that they can push since they will either win or lose the buy-in.
The cash NL heads-up is different. At these games I've played the $1/$2 with my $200 buy-in. Since it's cash it is rare to see all-in bets. (Unfortunately, the only time I experienced an all-in move it was my first game, second hand and I had top pair and my opponent had a flush draw. Boom--I lost $200 when he hit the flush draw.)
In these games the first thing I noticed is that there may be 20+ tables where one player sits and sits. Clearly these players are specialists at heads-up play. So please be warned that you better be ready for some strong players.
As a rule, I look for a player that is not seated and waiting at multiple tables--although that can be hard to find. I also want an opponent who has the same amount as me--in this case $200 in play.
I believe I have a pretty good heads-up game. My approach to these games is to see how my opponent plays and adjust my style accordingly. In most cases, if my opponent checks I take him at his word and bet--even a min bet will get him to fold.
Therefore, I play straight forward for about four hands. I may even make a bad call on the river to see what my opponent raised with pre-flop. It gives me an idea on his playing style.
Tonight I had a tough opponent. I went ahead about $25 after about 5 minutes because I hit two pair on the river and called down my opponent. I was surprised to see he had nothing.
Ok, that changes things. Most of these guys love to raise when they act first pre-flop. They figure you won't have a hand so they can take down the $2, and even if you have a hand they know you'll miss two-thirds of the time on the flop and fold to any bet. Therefore, you need to raise them back some of the times to keep them honest. It tends to work.
Frankly, I got drek all night, which is quite frustrating. So I had to re-raise with some lousy starting hands, and raise pre-flop with zip. Also, I bet when he checked in almost every case.
After a while I was down $50, and wondering when I was going to get a hand. I knew I had to be more aggressive than him to win or finally get a hand.
I finally got a hand...it was pocket Kings. I just limped. You don't get a big hand like that often so I want my opponent to be the one who is aggressive. Sure enough, he raised me to $8. I just called--same reason.
I got a lousy flop. A-J-4 with 2 clubs...and I did not have the King of clubs. He bet out $12. I was not folding. I called.
The turn was a King--another club. He bet $30. I called with the set.
The river was a rag. He checked. I bet half the pot and he called.
I ended up winning a big pot, and ahead $50 for the 15 minutes of action.
It is certainly interesting since I've never done it before. That is, I've only played no limit heads-up with tournament chips never cash.
The tournament chips heads-up game is different in that the players are more aggressive with making big bets. I play $100 NL buy-in heads-up tournament chip games, so my guess is my opponents feel that they can push since they will either win or lose the buy-in.
The cash NL heads-up is different. At these games I've played the $1/$2 with my $200 buy-in. Since it's cash it is rare to see all-in bets. (Unfortunately, the only time I experienced an all-in move it was my first game, second hand and I had top pair and my opponent had a flush draw. Boom--I lost $200 when he hit the flush draw.)
In these games the first thing I noticed is that there may be 20+ tables where one player sits and sits. Clearly these players are specialists at heads-up play. So please be warned that you better be ready for some strong players.
As a rule, I look for a player that is not seated and waiting at multiple tables--although that can be hard to find. I also want an opponent who has the same amount as me--in this case $200 in play.
I believe I have a pretty good heads-up game. My approach to these games is to see how my opponent plays and adjust my style accordingly. In most cases, if my opponent checks I take him at his word and bet--even a min bet will get him to fold.
Therefore, I play straight forward for about four hands. I may even make a bad call on the river to see what my opponent raised with pre-flop. It gives me an idea on his playing style.
Tonight I had a tough opponent. I went ahead about $25 after about 5 minutes because I hit two pair on the river and called down my opponent. I was surprised to see he had nothing.
Ok, that changes things. Most of these guys love to raise when they act first pre-flop. They figure you won't have a hand so they can take down the $2, and even if you have a hand they know you'll miss two-thirds of the time on the flop and fold to any bet. Therefore, you need to raise them back some of the times to keep them honest. It tends to work.
Frankly, I got drek all night, which is quite frustrating. So I had to re-raise with some lousy starting hands, and raise pre-flop with zip. Also, I bet when he checked in almost every case.
After a while I was down $50, and wondering when I was going to get a hand. I knew I had to be more aggressive than him to win or finally get a hand.
I finally got a hand...it was pocket Kings. I just limped. You don't get a big hand like that often so I want my opponent to be the one who is aggressive. Sure enough, he raised me to $8. I just called--same reason.
I got a lousy flop. A-J-4 with 2 clubs...and I did not have the King of clubs. He bet out $12. I was not folding. I called.
The turn was a King--another club. He bet $30. I called with the set.
The river was a rag. He checked. I bet half the pot and he called.
I ended up winning a big pot, and ahead $50 for the 15 minutes of action.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
My Recommended Tournament Poker List
Yesterday I received an email from a poker player asking me for a recommended list of tournament poker books. My list is only four books long.
The first two books are about the basics and most often mentioned in any poker list:
1. Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington
Dan Harrington wrote this breakthrough tournament book a few years ago and it's still an essential read. This first volume tends to deal with situations early in an event when blinds are small and chip stacks are high. It provides a sound approach to tournament strategy.
2. Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame by Dan Harrington
After you read Volume I, you will want to get Volume as it talks about how to play after the early stages of an event. Here you will learn about inflection points and the mighty M, so you can calculate when to move all-in It is a reasoned approach to poker tournaments.
This next book is a must if you want to think about being a winner. It takes Harrington to the next level. I was told that Erick actually wrote his book by talking it on the phone. I don't know if that's true or not.
3. Making the Final Table (World Poker Tour) by Erick Lindgren
This is a book that has never received the accolades it deserves. Erick is another big winner and he gives you great advice by revealing how he approaches the game. His approach is not about cashing, it's about winning.
Finally, this is must book to own since it really is Erick's thinking put into action. It is my favorite poker book on no limit poker in 2008 that I didn't author.
4. Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen
This is a winning book written by arguably the best no limit tournament player. In this book, Gus analyzes every hand he plays on his way to winning a major tournament--the Aussie Millions in 2007. It is insightful, smart and eye-opening to read how a champion thinks through every decision.
I actually took Gus Hansen's book and reviewed his playing style to make it easier to learn from his game:
Tournament Poker How Tos
Happy Holidays!
The first two books are about the basics and most often mentioned in any poker list:
1. Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington
Dan Harrington wrote this breakthrough tournament book a few years ago and it's still an essential read. This first volume tends to deal with situations early in an event when blinds are small and chip stacks are high. It provides a sound approach to tournament strategy.
2. Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame by Dan Harrington
After you read Volume I, you will want to get Volume as it talks about how to play after the early stages of an event. Here you will learn about inflection points and the mighty M, so you can calculate when to move all-in It is a reasoned approach to poker tournaments.
This next book is a must if you want to think about being a winner. It takes Harrington to the next level. I was told that Erick actually wrote his book by talking it on the phone. I don't know if that's true or not.
3. Making the Final Table (World Poker Tour) by Erick Lindgren
This is a book that has never received the accolades it deserves. Erick is another big winner and he gives you great advice by revealing how he approaches the game. His approach is not about cashing, it's about winning.
Finally, this is must book to own since it really is Erick's thinking put into action. It is my favorite poker book on no limit poker in 2008 that I didn't author.
4. Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen
This is a winning book written by arguably the best no limit tournament player. In this book, Gus analyzes every hand he plays on his way to winning a major tournament--the Aussie Millions in 2007. It is insightful, smart and eye-opening to read how a champion thinks through every decision.
I actually took Gus Hansen's book and reviewed his playing style to make it easier to learn from his game:
Tournament Poker How Tos
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Three Heads-up Wins in A Row
Entered heads-up tables on PokerStars for $100 buy-in. Won three in a row, and it was too easy.
I was surprised that the opponents didn't understand heads-up play. Some errors these opponents made:
If you only raise when you have a premium hand, that is a mistake.
If you bet the minimum as a bluff on the flop every time, that is a mistake.
If you are going to fold to a pre-flop raise unless you have a big hand, that is a mistake.
If you are going to fold with rags pre-flop every time, that is a mistake.
If you never re-raise a pre-flop raise, that is a mistake.
You can't be predictable in heads-up play or you'll never win. While luck is always an element of poker, I think heads-up play may give a good player a bigger edge.
I was surprised that the opponents didn't understand heads-up play. Some errors these opponents made:
If you only raise when you have a premium hand, that is a mistake.
If you bet the minimum as a bluff on the flop every time, that is a mistake.
If you are going to fold to a pre-flop raise unless you have a big hand, that is a mistake.
If you are going to fold with rags pre-flop every time, that is a mistake.
If you never re-raise a pre-flop raise, that is a mistake.
You can't be predictable in heads-up play or you'll never win. While luck is always an element of poker, I think heads-up play may give a good player a bigger edge.
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