Heads Up Strategy in No Limit Hold'em

No-Limit Holdem Heads-Up strategy involves making several adjustments from the full table version of the game. Players who fail to adjust properly will not maximize their poker profits in these games. This article will look at the strategy adjustments you need to make in several ways providing a guide to beating heads-up no-limit Holdem cash games.

We start by discussing the two key components of heads-up strategy, the changes in the relative strength of hands and the increased importance of position. We then look at some common errors your opponents will make and how to exploit these.

Relative Hand Strength

The biggest adjustment required in heads-up games is the understanding of the relative strength of hands. This is required before the flop and also after the flop. Before the flop any pair should be considered a strong holding, any ace is a good raising hand and two broad-way (picture) cards can be considered very strong.

A good rule of thumb on the flop is to imagine that the highest card disappears and assess the strength of you hand based on this. For example if you have 2nd pair on flop of King-Nine-Three then treating this the same way as pairing the king in a full table cash game would be broadly correct.

Position is Key

Position takes on a greater relative importance heads-up. This is such a big deal that the player who chooses to play the majority of hands from out of position will rarely make a long term profit. Playing from position involves regularly raising from the small blind / dealer button position. This will enable a player to take control of hands where their opponent acts first on the flop, turn and river betting rounds.

In addition to playing too many hands out of position the biggest mistake you will see opponent’s make in no-limit Holdem heads-up matches is to call too often. With only 2 players in each hand the probability of hitting the flop on each hand is small. Winning these heads-up matches often involves snatching many small pots rather than the all-in coups with hidden monsters at a full table.

Don’t Call Too Much

By calling too many bets you are gaining little information on your opponent’s hand, and also allowing them to set the price for that betting round. You are allowing them to build a pot when already ahead or to draw cheaply when they have the potential to hit a monster hand.

Over-aggressive heads-up opponents are also exploitable in heads-up no limit matches. Again it is the relative strength of hands and position which are key. If your opponent is regularly re-raising out of position then you have a great opportunity to allow them to build a pot when you hit the flop hard. Saving your re-raise until a later street when your opponent is already committed to pot can maximize returns against overly aggressive opponents.

To summarize, no-limit heads-up strategy involves a good understanding of the importance of position and the relative strength of hands. As in all poker games, winning is a matter of spotting and exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses. Playing out of position, calling too much and over-aggressive play are three examples of strategies which are beatable by the thinking player.