Risk Oriented

Sorry for not blogging in awhile. I've been grinding 10hr days, which is not what I should be doing but since I've been running extremely well I feel like putting in volume while I'm playing my best is the right thing to do.

For those of you who don't know, I specialize in HU SNGs, and for the last two years I have been making a living grinding these things, and I feel like I have a good understanding of the game. So today I would like to talk about some of things I've learned about these 1500 chip duels.

First off, to be successful, you must have a an above average understanding of the game and you must have confidence that you can beat anyone. If you're not capable of bluffing the turn just to jam the river then this might not be for you, and I suggest you go nit it up at a cash game. HU is the best way to maximize your individual skill, and there is no other game in poker where your skill prevails more than in a HU match. That being said, you need the keen ability to bluff as well as know when your opponent is bluffing, and only great players have both skills. A lot of that comes with experience, and I do not recommend heads up to anyone new to poker. Heads up is all about the button, because position means everything. If I see a kid that doesn't open from the button and isn't c-betting (continuation betting) then I know right there that he has no idea what he's doing.

Don't be standard, I swear to God, every kid is min raising button and half potting the flop. It's getting ridiculous, and I know its optimal play but like every kid on PokerStars is doing it. Understand situations and if you're bluffing or not. Don't bluff just because you know your hand is not good, but understand what you're trying to represent as well as your opponent's hand range/calling range. Have the balls to jam the river just because you know your opponent is middle pair at best (make sure you bet the turn so you can represent a hand). Heads up is all about the story you tell, and if you want to triple barrel and represent a made hand, then you can. However, it takes a great player to know when they're beat and hold off on firing that last bullet.

Aggressive play is optimal in heads up because most the time, players are playing marginal hands. Picking up as many pots as you can is vital. Understand how to play very short stacks because at 50-100 and up, push/fold poker is very key.

Timing tells: I can't explain them for the life of me and I think it's all intuitive and it just comes with seeing situations over and over again, but I can pick up on tells in my sleep.

You have to put in volume, and I mean sick volume, because you're playing little edges, and those little edges with volume is what gets you paid. For example, the best players at HU don't win above 57% of their games, and the only way to make a great profit is to put in the volume. Love the game and love every moment of the grind, and if you're miserable grinding, then this is not for you. If you have the passion to learn and get better and use strict bankroll management, then take a shot and dream big and don't fall short.

Thanks for reading I really appreciate it and if you have any questions or just want to talk poker, drop me a comment on my blog.

I'll leave you guys with a preview of what I think will be a badass reality TV series.

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