[Doc]

Good advice from all. I wish I had had a King high! But, based on what we are discussing, it truly didn't matter what was in my hand. I think talks like this are useful to remind us to get back to the basics, and not allow one's self to get too consumed with what one perceives as bad cards. The actual cards are not the issue, as it has been wisely pointed out. Thanks, guys.


ps: Captn, I believe you are referring to Gus Hanson, and yes, I did look back at the match for a review lesson. Good suggestion.

[smoore]

Agression, position, reads. That's the crux of heads up poker right there. You were just going to lose there, nothing to be done about it.

Heads up hold'em often rewards absolutely unbridled agression. When I get into your spot in this tournament I go into "Any two will do" mode. Screw it.

[redelite]

ive never been in that position but i have been on the other side catching everything... but as a couple of ppl said... u cant let the blinds eat you...

When I get into your spot in this tournament I go into "Any two will do" mode. Screw it.

Like he said... if it gets that bad just choose two and get it over with

[hayaku]

that sux for starting hands but your opponent didnt know your cards were that bad, should have bluffed at the pot a few times, im sure he would have folded a few hands. Not saying you would have won but if you were in the game longer anything can happen. Anyways better luck next time.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Heads up is such a different animal and I think it takes a bit of practice to get comfortable playing in the "any 2 will do" mentality. Especially for those of us that lean more toward the Dan Harrington style than the Gus Hansen style.
My home game used to be very loose passive and then tight passive as the blinds got high. When I was able to get heads up, I used to be able to limp with my junk and raise with any paint. Hit your fair share of flops with the junk, and it's not hard to take out someone who doesn't raise back at you. Fast forward a year and I got smoked by a newer guy, good player, that plays very aggressively. I definitely got the wake up call that my game needed to change. In our last game, I got heads up and decided to raise 95% of the time with the button, no matter what cards I had. I overcame a 2-1 chip disadvantage and won over another pretty good player. Heads up is all about putting your opponent on the defensive.
Oh yeah, one other thing that helps me keep aggression in my mind despite bad cards. Think about how many flops miss you the entire tournament. Realize that most of them are also missing your opponent unless it's just one of those nights where the deck hits him in the head. Bottom pair is playable, middle pair is a pretty decent hand, and top pair can be expected to be the best hand a majority of the time.

[Doc]

A little update:

I had an opportunity to play in a 10 man tourney this past weekend, and utilized the feedback and advice put forth on this thread, and ended up in second place. This was the first game I was in that allowed re-buys, and I never had to rebuy the entire way. The next day, I played two casual games, both with 7 players, and ended up with a second and a first. In each case, I was able to stay aggressive, as well as keep position buy raising effectively. Thank you all for the advice.

[tomb1]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

Think about how many flops miss you the entire tournament. Realize that most of them are also missing your opponent unless it's just one of those nights where the deck hits him in the head. Bottom pair is playable, middle pair is a pretty decent hand, and top pair can be expected to be the best hand a majority of the time.

Not only with flops, but pre-flop.

This is something to remember all the time, but especially heads-up: There's a high probability that the Big Blind has a crappy pocket hand.

Play aggressive heads-up and you'll win much more than you lose.

[VARoadstter]

Originally Posted by Doc

Thank you all for the advice.

Congrats on your results, doc. It doesn't always break your way but it sure feels nice when it does. Think about it another way - how would you feel if you were heads up with a guy who popped raises on you constantly?

Keep up the good work.

[TheMightyJim2k]

sir spam-a-lot of the round table has made an appearance above.....will the mods politely ban?

[jojobinks]

Originally Posted by TheMightyJim2k

sir spam-a-lot of the round table has made an appearance above.....will the mods politely ban?

i got it. hey jim, if you use the "report bad post" button, ten, x, I and a few others'll get an email about it, so that we can get on it quicker.

thanks, homie.