What Is Heads Up Poker and How To Play It?

This can happen in one of two ways:

• You start a heads-up poker game intentionally. In online poker rooms, these games are always cash games.
• You play a multi-table tournament or sit and go and make it to the final two players.

Heads Up Poker Rules

The rules of heads-up poker don’t differ much from games with more players. There are a few considerations, though:

• You will always be either the small or big blind
• Play is quicker, but you still have time to act and should use every second you need
• Heads-up variations exist for most variations of poker

Heads Up Poker Strategy

While the rules might mostly stay the same, poker strategy heads up differs significantly from tables with four or more opponents.

The main difference is that “the nuts”, a term used to describe the best possible hand at any given time, is less common. It means that your opponent is less likely to draw something big. More importantly, you can lower your standards, play more hands, and trust in pairs that you would dismiss in a hand with multiple opponents.

The blinds in heads-up poker are also more valuable, so steal as many of them as possible. Be aggressive, but not too aggressive. If your opponent keeps folding early but bites back and re-raises during a particular hand, they could have something big, and it’s time to back down.

Heads-up poker online games move very quickly. You’re not waiting for multiple players to act. It’s just you and your opponent, so you’ll typically be asked to make your move every couple of seconds. You don’t have to move that quickly, though. You still have a timer and can use as much of it as you want and need.

How Does Playing Poker Heads Up Change by Poker Variant?

Poker comes in various forms, from solitaire-style games like Pile Up Poker to casino games like Three Card Poker (check out our poker tips at a casino guide for advice on playing these games). The unique heads-up poker strategy is all about the big PvP games that can take players from tables with multiple players to ones with just two.

The heads-up rules for poker are similar across these variants in that you play more hands and adopt a looser style, but there are some differences to consider:

Heads Up Texas Hold’em

Heads-up Texas Hold’em is a popular cash game in many poker rooms. It’s fast and fluid, and there will be plenty of chances to bluff and win. If you move from a full table to a heads-up Hold’em battle, lower your standards, and pay to see more flops. All pairs and suited connectors become viable, as does any ace, but don’t go crazy until you see the flop.

Heads Up Omaha

Omaha is known as the game of the nuts, as players make their hands from four hole cards and five community cards, so there’s a good chance that someone has the best possible hand. That’s not always the case for heads-up play, though. Don’t wait for the nuts before you push out those big bets.

Heads Up Five-Card Draw

There are no community cards or visible player cards in Five-Card Draw. This can make it harder to know what your opponent is doing, but you’ll have a good idea of how many cards they are swapping. If they’re playing aggressively but changing all five cards, it’s time to match that aggression with whatever strong hands you catch.

Heads Up Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo

You’ll get called more frequently in hi-lo games, as players will chase both high and low hands. You can still try to steal those heads-up poker blinds, but if you’re up against an aggressive player, you’ll be putting your chips in the hands of the gods. It’s a good strategy against tight players, but for loose ones, it could be a better idea to lure them in.

Back down when they play aggressively; limp on a few hands before folding when you don’t catch anything. Eventually, their aggressive play will meet your strong hand. At that point, just let them lead, take your time to make it look like you’re seriously considering a fold, and then hit them with a re-raise.

Summary: What is Heads Up Poker?

“Heads up” in poker means that you’re up against a single player, either because you’ve chosen a heads-up cash game or a tournament has been whittled down to just two players.

These games move quickly, and players take their chances with hands they would discard on a packed table. Smaller hands become more valuable.

As with everything else, the best way to master heads up poker play is to make some buy-ins and get some practice! If you need more poker recommendations for other variations of this great game, check out our best video poker tips.