My First SNG single table...Comments on my heads up???

[stragf]

Just did my first tenseat single table yesterday. Came in 2nd, but going in to final two, I had a good chip lead, and it just swung around and I placed 2nd.
I think I could have stayed alive longer, but opponnent rivered the flush in final hand. If someone has a bit of extra time, I would appreciate comments. Thanks.
Grant. History of heads up below. I am GFS309

Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (5585)
Seat 10: SJBird (2415)
SJBird posts small blind (150)
GFS309 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Jh, Tc ]
SJBird calls (150)
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 8d, 4c, Kc ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 3d ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird bets (300)
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 900
Board: [ 8d 4c Kc 3d ]
GFS309 balance 5285, lost 300 (folded)
SJBird balance 2715, bet 600, collected 900, net +300

***** Hand History for Game 2159769371 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:06:12 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (5285)
Seat 10: SJBird (2715)
GFS309 posts small blind (150)
SJBird posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 2c, 8d ]
GFS309 calls (150)
SJBird raises (300) to 600
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 900
GFS309 balance 4985, lost 300 (folded)
SJBird balance 3015, bet 600, collected 900, net +300

***** Hand History for Game 2159770791 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:06:30 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (4985)
Seat 10: SJBird (3015)
SJBird posts small blind (150)
GFS309 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Jd, Tc ]
SJBird raises (450) to 600
GFS309 calls (300)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 2c, 7s, Ts ]
GFS309 bets (900)
SJBird raises (2415) to 2415
SJBird is all-In.
GFS309 folds.
Creating Main Pot with $4515 with SJBird
** Summary **
Main Pot: 4515
Board: [ 2c 7s Ts ]
GFS309 balance 3485, lost 1500 (folded)
SJBird balance 4515, bet 3015, collected 4515, net +1500

***** Hand History for Game 2159775315 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:07:25 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (3485)
Seat 10: SJBird (4515)
GFS309 posts small blind (150)
SJBird posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 7d, 9d ]
GFS309 calls (150)
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 3h, 3c, 2c ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 7c ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 bets (300)
SJBird folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 900
Board: [ 3h 3c 2c 7c ]
GFS309 balance 3785, bet 600, collected 900, net +300
SJBird balance 4215, lost 300 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 2159777804 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:07:55 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (3785)
Seat 10: SJBird (4215)
SJBird posts small blind (150)
GFS309 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 6s, Ts ]
SJBird calls (150)
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 9s, 7c, 6d ]
GFS309 bets (300)
SJBird raises (600) to 600
GFS309 calls (300)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 4c ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird bets (1500)
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3300
Board: [ 9s 7c 6d 4c ]
GFS309 balance 2885, lost 900 (folded)
SJBird balance 5115, bet 2400, collected 3300, net +900

***** Hand History for Game 2159781529 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:08:41 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2885)
Seat 10: SJBird (5115)
GFS309 posts small blind (150)
SJBird posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 7c, 4h ]
GFS309 calls (150)
SJBird raises (300) to 600
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 900
GFS309 balance 2585, lost 300 (folded)
SJBird balance 5415, bet 600, collected 900, net +300

***** Hand History for Game 2159782562 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:08:53 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2585)
Seat 10: SJBird (5415)
SJBird posts small blind (150)
GFS309 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 2c, Qs ]
SJBird raises (450) to 600
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 900
GFS309 balance 2285, lost 300 (folded)
SJBird balance 5715, bet 600, collected 900, net +300

***** Hand History for Game 2159783548 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:09:05 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2285)
Seat 10: SJBird (5715)
GFS309 posts small blind (150)
SJBird posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 4c, 5c ]
GFS309 calls (150)
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Td, Kd, Qh ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 6s ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ 5d ]
SJBird bets (300)
GFS309 calls (300)
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1200
Board: [ Td Kd Qh 6s 5d ]
GFS309 balance 1685, lost 600 [ 4c 5c ] [ a pair of fives -- Kd,Qh,Td,5c,5d ]
SJBird balance 6315, bet 600, collected 1200, net +600 [ 8c Qs ] [ a pair of queens -- Kd,Qs,Qh,Td,8c ]

***** Hand History for Game 2159786172 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:09:37 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1685)
Seat 10: SJBird (6315)
SJBird posts small blind (200)
GFS309 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Kh, 7s ]
SJBird folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 600
GFS309 balance 1885, bet 400, collected 600, net +200
SJBird balance 6115, lost 200 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 2159787246 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:09:50 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1885)
Seat 10: SJBird (6115)
GFS309 posts small blind (200)
SJBird posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Qh, 7d ]
GFS309 calls (200)
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Kh, Ac, 5d ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Ah ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ Jc ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 800
Board: [ Kh Ac 5d Ah Jc ]
GFS309 balance 1485, lost 400 [ Qh 7d ] [ a pair of aces -- Ac,Ah,Kh,Qh,Jc ]
SJBird balance 6515, bet 400, collected 800, net +400 [ 5c 6d ] [ two pairs, aces and fives -- Ac,Ah,Kh,5c,5d ]

***** Hand History for Game 2159789537 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:10:18 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1485)
Seat 10: SJBird (6515)
SJBird posts small blind (200)
GFS309 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 9c, 8s ]
SJBird calls (200)
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Td, 7c, Jh ]
GFS309 bets (1085)
GFS309 is all-In.
SJBird folds.
Creating Main Pot with $1885 with GFS309
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1885
Board: [ Td 7c Jh ]
GFS309 balance 1885, bet 1485, collected 1885, net +400
SJBird balance 6115, lost 400 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 2159791677 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:10:44 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1885)
Seat 10: SJBird (6115)
GFS309 posts small blind (200)
SJBird posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 4h, 3s ]
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 600
GFS309 balance 1685, lost 200 (folded)
SJBird balance 6315, bet 400, collected 600, net +200

***** Hand History for Game 2159792611 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:10:56 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1685)
Seat 10: SJBird (6315)
SJBird posts small blind (200)
GFS309 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 3d, 7s ]
SJBird calls (200)
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 6d, 4d, 8s ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 7d ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ Ad ]
GFS309 bets (400)
SJBird folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1200
Board: [ 6d 4d 8s 7d Ad ]
GFS309 balance 2085, bet 800, collected 1200, net +400
SJBird balance 5915, lost 400 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 2159796060 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:11:38 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2085)
Seat 10: SJBird (5915)
GFS309 posts small blind (200)
SJBird posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 6s, 2s ]
GFS309 calls (200)
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 4h, Tc, 3s ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qh ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ 9h ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 800
Board: [ 4h Tc 3s Qh 9h ]
GFS309 balance 1685, lost 400 [ 6s 2s ] [ high card queen -- Qh,Tc,9h,6s,4h ]
SJBird balance 6315, bet 400, collected 800, net +400 [ 3h 7d ] [ a pair of threes -- Qh,Tc,9h,3h,3s ]

***** Hand History for Game 2159798576 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:12:09 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1685)
Seat 10: SJBird (6315)
SJBird posts small blind (200)
GFS309 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 7d, 8d ]
SJBird raises (600) to 800
GFS309 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Kh, Ts, 7h ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qd ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ 3d ]
GFS309 checks.
SJBird checks.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1600
Board: [ Kh Ts 7h Qd 3d ]
GFS309 balance 2485, bet 800, collected 1600, net +800 [ 7d 8d ] [ a pair of sevens -- Kh,Qd,Ts,7d,7h ]
SJBird balance 5515, lost 800 [ 5s 5c ] [ a pair of fives -- Kh,Qd,Ts,5s,5c ]

***** Hand History for Game 2159801589 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:12:46 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2485)
Seat 10: SJBird (5515)
GFS309 posts small blind (200)
SJBird posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 4h, 5d ]
GFS309 calls (200)
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ts, Ks, 8h ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Ad ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ Kd ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 800
Board: [ Ts Ks 8h Ad Kd ]
GFS309 balance 2085, lost 400 [ 4h 5d ] [ a pair of kings -- Ad,Ks,Kd,Ts,8h ]
SJBird balance 5915, bet 400, collected 800, net +400 [ Qd 8d ] [ two pairs, kings and eights -- Ad,Ks,Kd,8d,8h ]

***** Hand History for Game 2159804007 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:13:16 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2085)
Seat 10: SJBird (5915)
SJBird posts small blind (200)
GFS309 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 6c, 3d ]
SJBird folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 600
GFS309 balance 2285, bet 400, collected 600, net +200
SJBird balance 5715, lost 200 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 2159804991 *****
400/800 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:13:29 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2285)
Seat 10: SJBird (5715)
GFS309 posts small blind (200)
SJBird posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Kd, 8c ]
GFS309 calls (200)
SJBird checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Qc, 4d, Qh ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Tc ]
SJBird bets (400)
GFS309 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1200
Board: [ Qc 4d Qh Tc ]
GFS309 balance 1885, lost 400 (folded)
SJBird balance 6115, bet 800, collected 1200, net +400

***** Hand History for Game 2159808055 *****
500/1000 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:14:06 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (1885)
Seat 10: SJBird (6115)
SJBird posts small blind (250)
GFS309 posts big blind (500)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ 6d, Kc ]
SJBird folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 750
GFS309 balance 2135, bet 500, collected 750, net +250
SJBird balance 5865, lost 250 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 2159809147 *****
500/1000 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:14:20 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (2135)
Seat 10: SJBird (5865)
GFS309 posts small blind (250)
SJBird posts big blind (500)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Th, Ah ]
GFS309 raises (750) to 1000
SJBird calls (500)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Qc, 6c, Ac ]
SJBird checks.
GFS309 bets (1135)
GFS309 is all-In.
SJBird calls (1135)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 6s ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 4c ]
Creating Main Pot with $4270 with GFS309
** Summary **
Main Pot: 4270 |
Board: [ Qc 6c Ac 6s 4c ]
GFS309 balance 0, lost 2135 [ Th Ah ] [ two pairs, aces and sixes -- Ah,Ac,Qc,6c,6s ]
SJBird balance 8000, bet 2135, collected 4270, net +2135 [ 2s 2c ] [ a flush, ace high -- Ac,Qc,6c,4c,2c ]

[Phil Van Sexton]

I had to stop reading after the 3rd hand. Wow. This fold is beyond horrible.

Not to pry, but what was your poker background before your foray in single table tournaments?


***** Hand History for Game 2159770791 *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) (Tournament 12836521) - Sun Jun 05 16:06:30 EDT 2005
Table Table 14107 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 9: GFS309 (4985)
Seat 10: SJBird (3015)
SJBird posts small blind (150)
GFS309 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GFS309 [ Jd, Tc ]
SJBird raises (450) to 600
GFS309 calls (300)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 2c, 7s, Ts ]
GFS309 bets (900)
SJBird raises (2415) to 2415
SJBird is all-In.
GFS309 folds.
Creating Main Pot with $4515 with SJBird
** Summary **
Main Pot: 4515
Board: [ 2c 7s Ts ]
GFS309 balance 3485, lost 1500 (folded)
SJBird balance 4515, bet 3015, collected 4515, net +1500

[stragf]

I'm not certain one poorly played hand should taint my entire history..LOL. I play 66seat tourneys at a casino, and of the five I have played, I have made final table 3 times, and been 16 and 12th the other two, so I can't be that "terrible."
Anyways, I do appreciate the input. In this hand, I'm chip leader and with the big bet back over the top, I suspected she was sitting on either a set, or tp pair. I had top pair on the board with tens, and J kicker, but I wasn't confident, and that is likely due to limited tournament play. Why is that such a bad fold? Because it is heads up and her likliehood of being wired is slim? That's whay I requested input. The total of all my other play is 3-6 live, and I hold my own quite nicely. I have been having some troble with .50/$1 or $1//$2 online, but it is very loose. I tend to play quite tight, and I am not sure when to loosen up in tourneys. Thanks and carry on...

[Freudian]

It is a horrible fold. Headsup you can't fold top pair. Push push push.

[yid3655]

Have to agree with the other replies, heads up top pair is massive

[octaveshift]

From what I saw, it looks like you need to be raising more PF with hands like JT, and reraising instead of calling.

This is HU with massive blinds. You win by making the other guy fold more.

[stragf]

OK. There is a consensus here. So top pair, go hard is what I hear. So if I'm heads up, and I am dealt 2/8, and I play because I'm on the BB, and the flop is 3/6/8, I should push my eights because they are top pair?. Certainly that would only work heads up, and not in a multiway? Thanks for the comments. Geez guys, I did take 2nd.... /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Karak567]

You want the simple recipe to winning heads up?

Push Jx, Qx, Kx and Ax.

Easy.

That's too complicated?

Then push every hand.

That's better than bleeding chips.

No, I'm not kidding.

[Freudian]

Headsup is about non-stop aggression. You only take your foot off the accelerate when you have crap preflop (you should push most hands when blinds are big enough though) or when you totally miss a flop. I often push with middle and bottom pair on the flop.

[octaveshift]

[ QUOTE ]
Geez guys, I did take 2nd.... /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, to rain on your parade but that's meaningless. I have seen total donkeys take first before. It means nothing. I am surprised you made it past the bubble being this passive.

What is abundantly clear is that you are far, far, far, too passive and straightforward while heads up. Your opponent clearly had a read on you.

If I had my choice between playing a total maniac HU and a player like you, I'd take you every time. (Given the HH above.)

[shadyridr]

WOW You played way too tight!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you got a J,Q,K,A you always RAISE!. If you got a pocket pair PUSH! Push and take down the blinds. That is the key. If you lose, you lose.

[shadyridr]

Also why are you raising when you're shortstacked? PUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stragf]

OK. I understand, but where is the line in getting aggressive and backing off? If I start to push and go for the throat, and it's not there, then your chips are potentially gone on poor hands, or am I missing something?

[stragf]

When you say push, you are referring to AI?

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
When you say push, you are referring to AI?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes.

If I sensed an opponent is weak/tight, the style you were playing, I start pushing literally every hand. Before you catch on I'll have taken half your stack in blinds.

[shadyridr]

[ QUOTE ]
OK. I understand, but where is the line in getting aggressive and backing off? If I start to push and go for the throat, and it's not there, then your chips are potentially gone on poor hands, or am I missing something?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pushing takes all the decision making out of the equation. Push with good hands, fold with poor hands, rarely call. You should barely be seeing any flops. If your playing a heads-up chump (no offense but according to this hand history Id consider you one) just raising instead of pushing will work too.

[shadyridr]

Heads up play comes down to luck and aggression. There should barely be any strategy.

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
If your playing a heads-up chump (no offense but according to this hand history Id consider you one) just raising instead of pushing will work too.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's really bad advice. Push, don't raise. Just raising with the blinds that high is for "heads up chumps."

[cha59]

So if I'm heads up, and I am dealt 2/8, and I play because I'm on the BB, and the flop is 3/6/8, I should push my eights because they are top pair?

YES - you are probably ahead so make the other player make the tough decisions

Certainly that would only work heads up, and not in a multiway?

CORRECT - there are a lot more cards out there in a multiway pot, therefore a lot more hands that you could lose to

Also, what are you limping with crap hands for? You are giving free cards to the other player and bleeding chips. Stop calling and either push or fold when you're heads up (when the blinds are large). If you're playing at a site where the blinds are small compared to the chip stacks, at least make a solid raise if you're going to get involved with a hand from the SB.

[Phil Van Sexton]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not certain one poorly played hand should taint my entire history..LOL. I play 66seat tourneys at a casino, and of the five I have played, I have made final table 3 times, and been 16 and 12th the other two, so I can't be that "terrible."

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, I read the whole thing. I try not to dump on new players because we were all new once, and it's not like I'm at the WSOP right now. That being said, I have to be honest if I am going to help you here.

The bad news is that this was probably the worst display of heads-up poker I've ever seen. You seem to be lacking the understanding of a several key concepts that are required to be successful.

The good news is that you have had some limited success despite these glaring holes in your game, so it's possible that you have some ability.

A couple things:
- 5 tournaments are not a valid sample. You could still be terrible.
- Live game players are worse than online players on average. The play at 3/6 live is usually pathetic. While still awful, PartyPoker .50/1 or 1/2 players are better.

You may be better than 90% of the people who play these limits, but 95% of these players are losers so that's not good enough.

It seems like everyone else is giving specific advice, so I won't bother. Personally, I would get some books like Theory of Poker and start reading, A LOT. Good luck.

[shadyridr]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If your playing a heads-up chump (no offense but according to this hand history Id consider you one) just raising instead of pushing will work too.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's really bad advice. Push, don't raise. Just raising with the blinds that high is for "heads up chumps."

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree it is bad advice and I always push but this guy folded to many raises (LOL). Seemed to work for his opponent. Im just saying if you're playing a really bad opponent he'll even fold to raises.

[microbet]

You are probably feeling ganged up on. I'm not going to help.

You played nearly every hand badly. Based on the way you play head up, it is almost certain that you play 3 handed and 4 handed and 5 handed incorrectly.

It's your first one, so there's no reason you should know how to play these single table tournaments. Search around here and you'll figure it out.

[stragf]

Raising, re-raising and all in's? I think I'm trying to play only premiums which don't apply in heads up, and I'm too mechanical. Thanks for the input

[stragf]

Could you elaborate some on 3/4/5 way play some, please? I have big shoulders, but my balls are tender, so I'n not feeling ganged up on...YET /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[stragf]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, what are you limping with crap hands for? You are giving free cards to the other player and bleeding chips.


[/ QUOTE ]
You are right. I was doing that because I was in all hands because ot the blinds, so I was hoping to maybe catch a flop.

[microbet]

Pretty tough to say anything meaningful in one post. The best thing to do is search out the first post by The_Shadow and read the threads he links to. There is a guide by Aleomagus which is a very good start.

When you start getting to around 5 players and the blinds are getting pretty high, you should start finding places to steal blinds. You decide where by considering position, your stack size, the stack sizes of the blinds and your cards. You steal with big bets. 2.5 x the Big blinds to allin. Almost never put in more than 30% of your stack without pushing.

Be careful when there are 4 left, but you will probably have to keep stealing, and even if you don't have to, it will probably be the right thing to do.

Generally in the later part of the game try and be the first one in the pot.

When you are in the money, you should be more aggressive still and when head up you should be very aggressive.

Ok, well this response is totally inadequate. It takes a lot of work to write a guide and it's been done better than I could do it. There is a FAQ by citanul in here that is also helpful. There is a search function that lets you search by poster.

Most people at the tables, after seeing a very good player play the endgame, think that he/she is a total idiot.

[BlackAces]

[ QUOTE ]
I think I'm trying to play only premiums which don't apply in heads up, and I'm too mechanical.

[/ QUOTE ]
This point needs to be emphasized. You can wait for premium hands in a full ring because you only take the blinds 20% of the time. In headsup, you're putting money into the pot EVERY SINGLE HAND. If you only raise with big hands, you're going to lose almost all the time, because you won't play enough hands to stay ahead of the blinds, and your opponent will have a fantastic read on you.

You need to be unpredictable and super-aggressive.

One other note -- on the hand you made the nut straight, you needed to check the flop, and hopefully give your opponent a chance to make something to bet with. Your need to double up should dispel any fears about giving a free card.

[11t]

Be more aggressive. You folded the winning hand I'm guessing like 10 times.

[stragf]

Than. I searched The_Shadow, and couln't find anything. Do you have the link? I'll search the other reference on FAQ's. Cheers.

[shadyridr]

One thing to remember. Your opponent is getting the same crappy cards you are.

[microbet]

It is "the shadow" with a space. Another way in which the search function sucks - it should find close matches.

Here is the link (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=singletable&Number=191 8735&Forum=,,,,,All_Forums,,,,,&Words=&Searchpage= 4&Limit=25&Main=1918735&Search=true&where=&Name=30 065&daterange=&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&olde rtype=&bodyprev=#Post1918735)

[hobbes9324]

Tough crowd, eh?

Cut him a little slack, guys....at least he's TRYING to learn, which most players don't bother with....

The best point, I think, was by the poster who noted that the "push,push,push" idea looks odd, until you understand the theory behind it. But boy, is it on the mark.....

[Moonsugar]

This is really good advice.

[Jeoke]

HERE (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=singletable&Number=1918735 &fpart=&PHPSESSID=) is a really good post with links to a bunch of guides

[sahala]

Yeah OP definitely gets points for staying with it.

Here's a good thread that has to do with SNG perspective:

Evolution of a 2+2 SNGer (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=2227756&page=&view=&s b=5&o=)

[ChuckyB]

You're going to get chopped down in pushing some bad hands...even a blind squirrel finds a nut. But just quickly scanning your original post, there are so many cards that went check-check (and I didn't see your opponent check-raise) that a bet would have taken them down -- regardless of the cards you held.

Don't push all-in every time when you steal. Even a single bet into a two-bet pot can be enough. Try different bets (pot-sized, over-betting, single bets) and see what your opponent does. At the level I assume you're at (which is the level I play at) if you get raised or check-raised your opponent has the real deal.

You'll see that being aggressive really, really, really pays off. I started playing $6 PP SNGs on June 1. 32 SNGs later, I've been in the money 19 times and I'm up over $160. All thanks to being more and more aggressive.