Heads-Up Hold'em: Reading Cards

In heads-up Texas hold'em, it might seem difficult at first reading your opponent. Most poker players who never played heads-up are not used to spending vast energy and time observing a single opponent for so long in a match. By observing betting patterns, you can classify your opponent into a general category for adjusting your play.

Preflop Folder
Profile: Your heads-up opponent routinely folds blinds before the flop and is hesitant to enter raised pots. Mostly stronger hands are played by this opponent. Your opponent plays cautiously and conservatively.

Strategy: Always raise before the flop against this opponent. He will fold all but strong hands. When you finally do get action from one of your raises, be very cautious after the flop and do not become too invested. This type of player will usually not give away his money, so do not try risky, big bluffs. Instead bet modest amounts to try to pick up pots. Never move all-in preflop against this opponent because you will only be called when you are beat.

Big Bluffer
Profile: A player who bluffs too much heads-up will usually blunder if you are patient. Many players bluff at the flop, and bluff bigger on the turn. These players are often very aggressive the first 10 hands and take the quick lead.

Strategy: A player who bluffs too much is also usually a weaker player. Often heads-up players will call a bet on the flop against the bluffer with a low pair or drawing hand. On the turn, the bluffer will fire again and you are forced to fold your marginal hand. Only call bets on the flop if you are prepared to bluff later or call another bet. Another trick to pick up pots is to smooth call the bet on the flop. When 4th street comes, bet out. The bluffer will usually fold or be forced to make a reraise to win the pot. This is more effective than simply raising your opponent on the flop. Smooth calling and betting represents strength. Pots will be won back and forth against this opponent, and eventually he will bluff at the wrong time. Play patiently and smart against this opponent, and he is sure to make a mistake.

Loose/Aggressive Players
Loose/aggressive hold'em players will see almost every hand, value bet, bluff, raise, and be involved in a lot of pots. Try to establish your image as a terrible player. At the beginning of the sit-n-go, call with a losing hand, make a bad bluff, and pretend to be a novice to your opponent. If your opponent thinks you are a terrible player, he will call you down with ace-high when you have the winning hand and pay you off. Bet often against this type of player and trap them when you have a monster hand. Slow-playing with a winning hand when you have been aggressive throughout the game will encourage your opponent to make foolish bluffs.

In heads-up Texas hold'em, the same situations arise frequently. Heads-up play sees many more hands per hour than normally, so knowing how to play these frequent situations is critical.

Opponent Raises Preflop
If you have a monster hand like pocket aces or pocket kings, push all-in against donks unless the raise is very small. You will often be called and win matches this way. You will usually be a big favorite in these races, so push and try to end the game sooner. It will increase your hourly winning rate because you can play more matches.

With weak cards, players will often fold to a raise. I often call with inferior hands if I have a good read on my opponent. Many players raise with face cards and then bluff on the flop if they miss. If you did not hit the flop, play aggressively against the bettor on the turn, and he will lay down his high cards. If you hit a small pair, smooth call the bluffer and check to the river; you will pick up the pot. If your opponent continues to bet, rely on your reads to make a decision.

Pair on the Flop
You will see many flops like 662. Bet cautiously with ace high or even king high to win some extra chips. Your opponents will call you to the river with weak hands like queen high. By betting on these flops all the time, it will not look suspicious to bet later in the game when you hit trips. Be cautious on these flops, because it is easy to overplay your pair and lose to trips or an overpair like aces or kings.

Bluff on the Flop
If your opponent bluffs on the flop, it is sometimes worth it to call with a pair if you think you are winning the hand. Raising on the flop is not advised, because too many players will either call your raise or reraise you. You might want to try a raise against a softer opponent. Do not play foolishly and call down with the worst hand constantly; you will just be giving your chips away.

Three Suited Cards on the Board
Often there will be three suited cards on the board and one of you is probably drawing to a flush. When three to a suit comes, I often like to bet, especially on the flop. If you check, most opponents will eventually bet by the river and you will be forced to fold or call. Betting lets you know your strength against your opponent, because they rarely call with nothing. If you are drawing to a high flush, also bet and hope you get action. Checking is just too suspicious and betting builds pots against players drawing to weaker flushes.

Helpful Programs
Poker Tracker
Set up your poker site to export hand histories to a folder on your hard drive. Then using the program Poker Tracker, you can track your stats, winnings, and plays. A free email account can be set up (such as gmail) and Poker Tracker can auto-import tournament summaries. This is the easiest way to track your heads-up matches, winning rates, and other stats.

PokerAce Hud
This software flashes your opponent's previous hand when he mucks after the river. Using this program, you can determine if your opponent calls and loses to you with hands like ace high or low pair. Bet frequently against players who give their money away and identify them with PokerAce.