A Few Questions and topics for the experts

Ive been playing pretty seriously for about six months and I think I am pretty solid all around. I deposited 50 bucks at Party Poker and play the $5 SnG's trying to build my bankroll. I seem to de well by waiting out the maniacs, playing solid cards until I get into the top 5, and then try to get some chips and move up. I have a couple questions problems and I would REALLY appreciate help from the experts.

1. I suck post flop. This isnt too big of an issue at a full table, but when I haven't hit the flop and get bet into, even when I dont think they have anything, I cant bring myself to come back over them with nothing. They seem to always call, even with crap. So, I just seem to give up on too many pots post flop.

2. What hands should I play, genereally speaking with only 4 players or so. I rarely play a hand outside the blindswith this few people.

3. Is there as much luck heads up as it seems? You cant wait around for aces heads up. Also, how would you play this scenario. This recently happened to me. I am SB for 200 chips, and get dealt 2-5o. He has a 2-1 chip advantage on me. I am surely behind, so merely calling seems stupid because it gives him a free look at the flop if he wants it. Raising, might end the tournament if he calls. I cant just fold because I give him 200 chips. How would ou play that situation generally.

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Heads-Up n. a poker term used to describe play involving only 2 players. see also Ripptyde.

Heads-up play is all about pushing it and trapping. Passive play heads-up will kill you. Sure, most of the hands you are getting will be crap, but your opponent will be getting just as many rags too. Don't be afraid to raise with hands like 2-5o. Often times your opponent will fold right there. If not then you can at least take the flop and re-evaluate. If your opponent comes way over the top then just lay it down. Also if your opponent happens to see you showing down with 2-5o when you raise pre-flop then they will likely be more willing to call your raises when you actually have a strong starting hand.

Don't be afraid to bet middle pair, strong draws or even bottom pair or A high on the flop. With two different hole cards, your chances of having a piece of the flop is ~1/3. So even if you hit bottom pair, chances are you're ahead. Of course to do this your play on the flop and later must be strong. Until you clean up that part of your game you are going to continue to suffer heads-up. This is just scratching the surface. There have been some great posts on heads-up play so I suggest you do a search for them.

Speak of the devil himself... Beat me to the punch ripp.

Play NL HE post-flop can be pretty tricky. I think what you've encountered and what most people struggle with is people leading into you when you've raised pre-flop. The reason this is such an effective play is because it puts your opponent to a decision. For you, it must be a raise or fold spot. You need to have a pretty good line on your opponent. For instance, if he is the sort of player who will only bet with a legit hand, then you just gotta' lay it down and move on to the next hand. If the bet comes from a player who leads into flops frequently, especially when it looks like the flop doesn't hit the raiser, then maybe you should think about playing back at him all the way. Another instance where a raise might be appropriate would be when someone bets a small amount into you. This (most of the time, though be careful of traps) suggests weakness. A raise will probably win the pot for you.

Secondly--you wanted to know what hands you should play when play becomes shorthanded. Generally speaking, any A is probably good four-handed. If you're on the button, any medium-K or higher is usually a good semi-steal hand. Blind vs. Blind the rule I've stuck to is the Q8 rule. Any hand Q8 or stronger is better than your average blind hand.

Finally--Heads up is sort of a coin flip. You need to flop good to your hands heads up.

I would also recomend raising almost every time you have the button heads up. You don't have to make a huge raise, but just an average raise will suffice. You want to steal blinds, but also you want to represent strength when you have the advantage of acting last in a hand.


Hope this helps,