Basics of Poker - Heads Up

Basics of Poker - Heads Up
Heads Up Poker is a card game in which only two players are involved. Many people consider heads up poker to be the purest form of all the poker games. Most people don't realize the subtle changes one must make when playing heads up poker. Heads up poker differs from ring style poker and the few that understand the proper approach have reaped much economic success. There are many variants of the poker game with poker heads up being one of the popular ones.
What is poker heads up
Poker heads up is a variant of the game that is characterized by fast action. It is also known as head to head play. The players in this type of poker usually play more hands and they also are more aggressive in playing. For this game though only two persons are allowed to play. There is an annual heads up poker championship that is organized by NBC television network and held in the United States every year.
How to play poker heads up
New players have to first get a full understanding of the game. They have to be aware of the different strategies used by players and to be fooled by them. Bluffing is one strategy that every poker heads up player should know about. Bluffing is simply fooling the opponent into believing that the bluffer has good cards. It only becomes handy though when the opponent has a marginal hand. The player must be able to read the opponent to decide if there is a weak hand. Bluffing becomes very exciting and effective at this time. For online heads up poker many players tend to bluff even though they have a weak hand because they know they are not face to face with the opponent. Reading is also an important aspect. The player has to pay attention to the opponent and try to decide where he is in the game. The player should try and figure out if the opponent is going to bet draws or low pair or the frequency with which he check-raise. Just looking at the opponent once won't work it has to be consistent and a concentrated action. Another way of playing poker heads up is by trapping. The opponent tries to take advantage of the player in a supposedly weak action only to have the tables turned on him. When a trap is successful the player will end up getting a big pot.
Tips to use in poker heads up
Every hand doesn't have to be played. Mix up the play a lot. It is better for the player in pokers head up where they can switch their style of play through out different times of a match. Never letting their opponent getting a read on their style of play creates a tremendous advantage.

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