Always number two

I have played poker for about a month, and I like it alot. I discovered the sit'n'go-tournaments, and it saved my bankroll. But it's annoying to always end up 2nd. I haven't found any good strategies 1to1 yet. A couple of times when i've been ahead, the other player just go all-in all the time preflop, it's annoying when I don't get good cards to call with. I play in tournaments with prizes for the first 4-5 players, so I make some money anyway, but it would have been cool to be reach the top a little bit more often...

I have the same problem since the blinds are huge when I manage to get HU. You have to call all-ins with worse hands than usual when you are HU and the blinds are high. I can recommend the book "Harrington on Hold'em Volume 2" for short handed and Heads Up play. In my opinion these two books (Volume 1 and 2) are by far the best tournament books. Easy to understand, plenty of relevant examples on what to do in what situations against different kinds of oponents. Also try to post your HU play at this forum and ask for feed back. People are very helpful here :)

You shouldn't be calling AIs without a pair or a strong K+ maybe QJs.

You should be pushing with almost any two when you're button/SB

-'rilla

How does the "push any 2 from SB" strategy change when you know your opponent will call with any queen or stronger? If your opponent is going allin preflop 8/10 sbs, why shouldn't you call with j8 or better?

it doesnt.
and
Becuase J8s is -EV against a random pushing hand.

-'rilla

Hi:
I've been playing for a short time as well and I have the most success at SnGs.

the best advice I've gotten regarding HU:
1. If you're the SB/button, you almost always have pot odds to call, unless the BB raises when you call, you should then fold you're total garbage hands.
2. any pair is great and even hitting low pair on the flop is fairly strong.
3. If you think you're better than the other guy and/or have a substantial chip lead, don't get involved in marginal situations where he can double up.

when both of u have less than 10xBB headsup is all about preflop play.

Thanks a lot for the replys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by a500lbgorilla

You shouldn't be calling AIs without a pair or a strong K+ maybe QJs.

You should be pushing with almost any two when you're button/SB

-'rilla

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When bb is like 2-10 % of the total number of chips, it's not time to wait for a top hand, you'll probably run out of chips, or just have very few left when you hit this hand.

if you push in the sb almost every time, you wont be losing chips.

-'rilla