Adjusting to Heads Up Cash Games

Heads up cash games are a format where only two players battle against each other in the attempt to win money off their opponent.

The game requires a lot more skill than a standard 6 max or 9 max tables as it becomes imperative to play more to balance your range and beat the opposing player. It’s a diverse contrast to any other form of poker but can become extremely profitable if you are able to read players and exploit their weaknesses.

Obtaining reads is one of the most important aspects in Heads Up play. Putting players on hand ranges become harder as the amount of hands played by each drastically rise in the game.

Heads up displays.

Whereas many players in full ring or 6 max games will use a heads up display (HUD) that provides stats on your opponent, using feel and becoming more competent in your hand reading skills can make or break your heads up game.

Whilst a HUD can still be useful for a few stat such as VPIP (volume put in pot) and PFR (pre flop raise) in heads up, the majority of time you will have to go on betting patterns and in some cases timing tells. Making notes on how players play certain hands is much more important tool and skill in the world of heads up.

Due to the sheer volume of hands each player plays (usually between 40 and 60%) hand value decreases somewhat, therefore making hands such as second or even third pair a lot more valuable than if you were playing against two or three other players in a pot.

Aggression is key in heads up games.

Putting your opponent in situations where they are uncomfortable will lead to them making mistakes, this is where you can exploit there weaknesses and profit from that.

It’s imperative that you realise that value betting with lower valued hands become a large part of the game and you utilise this to your advantage. This works both ways however, and understanding that your opponent will also be doing the same meaning your calling range can be a lot wider then in standard 6 or 9 max games.

Whilst win rate is important in games, it can be tough to get a ‘true’ win rate in heads up as the game plays so differently. Often it’s easier to say you have X win rate against a certain player, rather than saying you have X win rate at HU.

Improve your closing game.

Heads up can be a great way for tournament players to improve their closing game also. Towards the end of an MTT the prize difference between first and second can often be quite substantial. Turning those 2nd or even 3rd place finishes into wins can be the difference between having an average tournament score, to a significant score.

Having a solid heads up game will lead you well in all forms of poker. Your hand reading skills will improve and as a result your overall game will become more polished.

Heads up can be pretty brutal though and variance plays as much of a part in this form of the game as any. Mental toughness and being comfortable with your game are key factors on the road to becoming a successful heads up player.