The Heads-Up Dynamic
Heads-up poker is fundamentally different from full-ring or even 6-max play. With only two players, you're in the blinds every hand, ranges are much wider, and aggression is rewarded more heavily.
In heads-up, you can't wait for premium hands - they come too infrequently. Success requires playing a wide range of hands aggressively and constantly adapting to your opponent.
Position in Heads-Up
The button posts the small blind and acts first preflop, but acts last postflop. This creates unique dynamics:
| Position | Preflop | Postflop | Estratégia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button (SB) | Acts first | Acts last | Open wide, play aggressively IP |
| Big Blind | Acts last | Acts first | Defend wide, check-raise more |
In heads-up poker, any hand with a face card or ace is playable from the button. Folding the button is leaving money on the table - open at least 70-80% of hands.
Preflop Estratégia
Button opening range (raise):
- All pairs: 22-AA
- All aces: A2o-AKs
- All kings: K2s-KQs, K5o+
- Queens: Q4s+, Q8o+
- Jacks: J6s+, J8o+
- Connectors: 54s+
- Suited gappers: Most playable
Big blind defense:
- 3-bet value: AA-TT, AK, AQs
- 3-bet bluff: A5s-A2s, suited connectors
- Call: Wide range of suited and connected hands
- Fold: Only the worst hands (72o, 83o, etc.)
Aggression is Key
Heads-up rewards aggression more than any other format:
- C-bet frequently: You have range advantage on most boards
- Double barrel often: Opponents can't always have strong hands
- Don't check-fold too much: Fight for every pot
- Apply pressure: Make opponents make difficult decisions
Adaptation and Reads
In heads-up, you play every hand against the same opponent. Adaptation is crucial:
If opponent folds too much:
- Raise every button
- C-bet with high frequency
- Bluff more on later streets
If opponent calls too much:
- Value bet thinner
- Reduce bluffing frequency
- Size up with value hands
If opponent raises too much:
- Trap with strong hands
- 4-bet bluff occasionally
- Flat more hands to induce
Hand Values Change
Hand rankings shift dramatically heads-up:
- Top pair is strong: Often good enough to stack off
- Ace-high has value: Can be a winning hand at showdown
- Draws are powerful: Can semi-bluff aggressively
- Second pair is playable: Don't fold too easily
Heads-Up Tournaments
Tournament heads-up requires stack-size awareness:
- Deep stacked (50+BB): Play poker, lots of postflop play
- Medium stacked (25-50BB): Mix of play and shoves
- Short stacked (sub-25BB): Push/fold dynamics kick in
Common Heads-Up Mistakes
- Playing too tight: Can't wait for premium hands
- Not adjusting: Same strategy won't work against all opponents
- Over-folding to aggression: Fight back, don't be pushed around
- Predictable patterns: Mix up your play
- Ignoring stack sizes: Adjust as stacks get shorter