The Small Blind
When you are in the small blind you have a distinct advantage against your opponent because you get to act first before the flop and last on all subsequent betting rounds. As a result, you should be more aggressive with your starting hands. However, being more aggressive doesn't mean playing any two cards, although it wouldn't be a major mistake to do so. Why?
Here's why. From the small blind you always have the correct odds to call, regardless of your cards. If the blinds are 50 and 100, there is 150 in the starting pot. It costs you 50 to call into a 150 pot giving you 3:1 odds. In the previous section I mentioned that you will miss the flop about 2/3rd's of the time. This means you will hit the flop about 1/3rd of the time, giving you the correct odds to call.
So from the small blind, assuming your M is greater than 7, call with any two cards. Even a 72 off can win the pot if you hit a 7 or a 2 on the flop (most flops miss most hands!). In small-ball poker you want to see as many flops as you can. You have the correct odds to call. Make sure you do not give up this opportunity.
For any hand with a positive EV, come in for a minimum raise. Use Tournament Indicator to identify the correct EV value for heads-up play. You want action from your opponent. By raising the minimum you are giving your opponent the correct odds to call. If he min-reraises you, tend to call the reraise (unless it is an all-in). You want to send the message early that he will not push you out of a pot. The exception to this is when your opponent rarely min-reraise; in this case it is likely that he has a real hand. Call with any pair and any two face cards. Push with AA and KK.
As discussed above, heads-up poker is about aggression. If it is checked to you on the button, tend to bet the flop, regardless of what comes. You were the aggressor before the flop and you should continue to be the aggressor on the flop. Don’t give up the lead unless you totally miss the flop AND the board is coordinated. If you experience resistance (he calls or raises), revert to the post-flop strategy on the turn. Be willing to give up the hand if you think you are beat.
When you are in the small blind you have a distinct advantage against your opponent because you get to act first before the flop and last on all subsequent betting rounds. As a result, you should be more aggressive with your starting hands. However, being more aggressive doesn't mean playing any two cards, although it wouldn't be a major mistake to do so. Why?
Here's why. From the small blind you always have the correct odds to call, regardless of your cards. If the blinds are 50 and 100, there is 150 in the starting pot. It costs you 50 to call into a 150 pot giving you 3:1 odds. In the previous section I mentioned that you will miss the flop about 2/3rd's of the time. This means you will hit the flop about 1/3rd of the time, giving you the correct odds to call.
So from the small blind, assuming your M is greater than 7, call with any two cards. Even a 72 off can win the pot if you hit a 7 or a 2 on the flop (most flops miss most hands!). In small-ball poker you want to see as many flops as you can. You have the correct odds to call. Make sure you do not give up this opportunity.
For any hand with a positive EV, come in for a minimum raise. Use Tournament Indicator to identify the correct EV value for heads-up play. You want action from your opponent. By raising the minimum you are giving your opponent the correct odds to call. If he min-reraises you, tend to call the reraise (unless it is an all-in). You want to send the message early that he will not push you out of a pot. The exception to this is when your opponent rarely min-reraise; in this case it is likely that he has a real hand. Call with any pair and any two face cards. Push with AA and KK.
As discussed above, heads-up poker is about aggression. If it is checked to you on the button, tend to bet the flop, regardless of what comes. You were the aggressor before the flop and you should continue to be the aggressor on the flop. Don’t give up the lead unless you totally miss the flop AND the board is coordinated. If you experience resistance (he calls or raises), revert to the post-flop strategy on the turn. Be willing to give up the hand if you think you are beat.
Next: Heads-Up Play (4)
