Heads up Theory

[Jman28]

Hey guys. I don't know if this is something that has been talked about or not. I responded to a question/critique in this post and discussed something that I think about while playing. I realized that I'd gotten it from nowhere and that I hadn't heard it talked about, so I wanted to hear some comments.

If it's a new idea, I'd like it to be talked about and named after me, so that I feel important. It's not worded that well so let me know if you need clarification.

Here is a copy of my response:


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***** Hand History for Game 2503905585 *****
500/1000 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 14678948) - Tue Aug 09
02:58:28 EDT 2005
Table Mini Step 5 1014193 (Real Money) -- Seat 8 is the button
Total number of players : 2
Seat 8: skinsftbl (6690)
Seat 10: aks47 (3310)
skinsftbl posts small blind (250)
aks47 posts big blind (500)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to skinsftbl [ 2c, 9c ]
skinsftbl raises (6440) to 6690
skinsftbl is all-In.
aks47 folds.
Creating Main Pot with $7190 with skinsftbl
** Summary **
Main Pot: 7190
skinsftbl balance 7190, bet 6690, collected 7190, net +500
aks47 balance 2810, lost 500 (folded)

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I don't think this one pencils out.

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I'm not exactly sure about his range here, and if the push is +EV, but this is an example of a play that I sometimes make with thinking that I haven't heard mentioned anywhere.

Heads-up, I often make very marginal pushes because they will lead to more +EV situations. Here's what I mean...

When you are the bigger stack, generally your pushing range gets wider as the smaller stack-blind ratio goes down. (until he almost is so small that he has to call with any two). This means that the smaller the short stack is, the more advantageous it is for the more aggressive player.

If I fold this hand, he has ~3500 chips next hand. If I push and he folds, he has ~ 2800. Now obviously it's always advantageous to pick up chips, BUT I believe there is an intrinsic advantage to DECREASING the size of the smaller stack.

Therefore, when faced with marginal heads up decisions, I err on the side that decreases the smaller stack. That means folding if I already am the smaller stack, and pushing if I'm the bigger stack.

I'd like to hear thoughts on this one.

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[Myst]

No $hit. The advantage to heads up play in a game where the stack/blind ratio is so small is making your opponent fold more hands then he is supposed to.

Thats why a pushing any two strategy while heads up isnt too far from optimal.

The secret to heads up poker. Voila!

[Jman28]

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No $hit. The advantage to heads up play in a game where the stack/blind ratio is so small is making your opponent fold more hands then he is supposed to.

Thats why a pushing any two strategy while heads up isnt too far from optimal.

The secret to heads up poker. Voila!

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This response makes you think you didn't read my post.

That, or my post is worded even worse(ly?) than I thought.

[Myst]

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No $hit. The advantage to heads up play in a game where the stack/blind ratio is so small is making your opponent fold more hands then he is supposed to.

Thats why a pushing any two strategy while heads up isnt too far from optimal.

The secret to heads up poker. Voila!

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This response makes you think you didn't read my post.

That, or my post is worded even worse(ly?) than I thought.

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Its exactly what your post implies, except I would use my statement more as a fundamental theorem than yours.

And I disagree in NOT pushing as the small stack. Why? The same reason you start making desperation pushes at level 4/5.

Make your opponents fold is key to HU, and this applies whether you are a big stack or a small stack. And the way to apply maximum pressure for them to fold is to go all in.

[Jman28]

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No $hit. The advantage to heads up play in a game where the stack/blind ratio is so small is making your opponent fold more hands then he is supposed to.

Thats why a pushing any two strategy while heads up isnt too far from optimal.

The secret to heads up poker. Voila!

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This response makes you think you didn't read my post.

That, or my post is worded even worse(ly?) than I thought.

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Its exactly what your post implies, except I would use my statement more as a fundamental theorem than yours.

And I disagree in NOT pushing as the small stack. Why? The same reason you start making desperation pushes at level 4/5.

Make your opponents fold is key to HU, and this applies whether you are a big stack or a small stack. And the way to apply maximum pressure for them to fold is to go all in.

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Please reread my OP.

[SuitedSixes]

If your name is "Unexploitable Game Theory" I think you've got a very good chance of having this named after you.

[Jman28]

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If your name is "Unexploitable Game Theory" I think you've got a very good chance of having this named after you.

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[censored], that's my brother's name. He always gets all the credit.

[Myst]

OMG, I just stated in more fundamental terms WHY you want to push PERIOD, whether you are a big stack or a small stack.

Uh, why is it an advantage for a big stack to take 700 chips from a small stack?

Answer: The small stack has less chips to double up with and is forced to push with a mediocre hand.

Uh, why does a small stack want to steal from a big stack?

Answer: To maintain folding equity and keep afloat in the SNG.

And how do both types of stack obtain these goals?

By going all in.

[Jman28]

When the EV difference between pushing and folding are minimal, and you are heads up, err on the side that will decrease the size of the smallest stack (increase stack disparity).

*assuming you are more aggressive than your opponent heads up.

[Jman28]

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OMG, I just stated in more fundamental terms WHY you want to push PERIOD, whether you are a big stack or a small stack.

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OMG OMG