Stealing More Pots by Occasionally Showing Marginal Hands Heads Up

[Mike_25]

I have been playing heads up for some a long time now and recently noticed some subtle changes in gameplay that improved my win rate further. I want to know your thoughts on occasionally calling with marginal hands preflop when heads up, specifically to steal more blinds and antes postflop. While risky, it has worked well for me. Do you think this strategy has merit for heads up play, as long as position and reading your opponent are factored in properly to minimize losses? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

 

[CR7]

It sounds like you have found a potentially profitable strategy for heads up play. However, as you pointed out, it is important to factor in position and your opponent's tendencies before making these calls. Additionally, it is worth considering the size of the blinds and antes and how much you stand to gain by stealing them versus how much it will cost you if the call doesn't pan out.

One potential benefit of this strategy is that it can keep your opponent off balance and make it more difficult for them to accurately range you. They may be less likely to put you on a wider range of hands if you are willing to call with marginal holdings from time to time. Additionally, it can be a good way to mix up your play and keep your opponent from being able to exploit predictable patterns in your game.

That being said, it is important to be disciplined when using this strategy. Make sure that you are only making these calls when the potential reward outweighs the risk and be prepared to fold if it becomes clear that your hand is not strong enough to continue. If you are not comfortable with the risk involved, it may be better to stick to a more conservative strategy and avoid calling with marginal hands preflop.

Overall, I think this strategy can have merit in heads up play, but it is important to use it judiciously and with a solid understanding of your opponent's tendencies and the overall dynamics of the game. Good luck at the tables!