Normally I'm happy for you to finish first, but not tonight...
Sex is a race with style points. It’s an intricate dance of moving, thrusting bodies, sweat, tension, and fervor that—if the man reaches the end first - can be a big disappointment in the end for someone. Sex is a veritable sprint between positions, tempos, and guttural, grunting tones. It is a full contact competitive sport that comes with protective gear, an opening bell and a girl in a bikini holding up a ROUND 1 sign.
Heads-up poker reminds me of sex. The competitive and selfish spirit where one person is rewarded with all of the fame, glory, and satisfaction translates equally to sex and with nearly unchanged terms.
Controlling Position
In heads up poker, position is a big key to success. Use these points to dominate the opposition, no matter where you are.
Aggressive Stance
When playing in position (from the button), be very aggressive. Often times, your position will give you more value and take down more pots than the actual cards.
Out In The Open
When you’re out of position, your best bet is to play with Big Card Theory in mind (look for aces, face cards, and pairs). In general, you could choose to simply raise or fold and you would be OK, adjusting your minimum standards to raise based on how aggressive your opponent is.
Powder Kegs
Remember that short-stacked opponents are generally out for getting the maximum return for the minimal (or remaining) investment. You can usually expect action out of them, no matter what position they’re in.
The Swing of Things
Watch out for part two, where we’ll discuss the reactive strategic implications of figuring out your opponents’ rhythms and actions. While you’re waiting, give some real thought to what you could do in the different positions. Examples of things to try are jackhammer, reverse cowgirl, and wheelbarrow.
Consult a physician before attempting a challenging position.
