This week we’re playing a heads up match for the title in a multi-table tournament! Stacks in this match are 25BBs effective, which will be a common depth in many heads up situations. You’ll alternate between being the Button and Big Blind in these hands, so pay attention to your position in every hand.
Each hand has the same preflop action: The Button/SB minraises and the Big Blind calls. Ranges will be extremely wide for both players. The Big Blind will not have many medium to high pocket pairs or big Aces, since those hands would be 3-bet preflop.
Hand values shift quite a bit during heads up play given the width of both ranges. Hands like Ace and King high have significant showdown value in heads up play. Often Ace high hands that you may be semi-bluffing with in other spots are passively played heads up, since the Ace has enough showdown value against Villain’s very wide range. Hands like second pair are typically able to get to showdown profitably in this scenario.
When you are out of position (starting in the Big Blind), you can typically check to the raiser on most flops. You will do some leading on specific board textures such as lower straightening flops.
When Villain checks back on the flop, you should often fire a large turn bet with both made hands and a variety of semi-bluffs. Do not be overly fearful of potential bigger hands. At this stack depth with very wide heads up hand ranges, you should often be value betting top pair hands or better even when a potential flush hits on a later street.
Attempt to start with a solid default strategy then adjust to clear opponent weaknesses when playing heads up. Having a fundamental game plan in place will give you the best chance of success.
To see more examples and test your skills, you can play through five free solved hands from this scenario.
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Regular play on the WPT GTO Trainer will help you adjust your decisions closer and closer to GTO strategy.
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Use this series of articles to practice the strategies you learn on LearnWPT (or at the table) and test your progress by playing a five-hand sample each week.