Starting hands

[FSL009]

So I declared my starting hands in an earlier post, I know people like different things but basically what I am interested in is when your down to the last 2 it is less likely that your competitor will hit a decent hand.  So do people change their starting hand requirements.

Normal starting hands I play  Every pocket pair, AK, KQ, every suited A no matter what the other card is.  Pretty much any combination of the A-10 cards unless raised before me.  unsuited A's only if no raise or all fold to me.  pretty much anything in the BB if i get to check through.  I never raise in the BB unless their are four callers or more.  I figure what they don't know probably hurts them more than me declaring i have a decent hand with a raise.

However in the last two of a tourney I will normally play pretty much anything unless they are greater than 4 cards apart and anything under 67 connected. 

In sit n go's I have been reasonably successful but at low money limts.  What do others think about the 2 player change, is that sort of what most others do?

[Jambine]

Absolutely loosen up when it's heads.  You're looking at anything better than Q7off to have a 50% chance of being the best hand

[NotFadeAway]

Head up you can play every hand (literally) and usually be okay.
As for regular hand selection:  why play A-10, Q-10, Q-J, K-10, and K-J?  These hands are terrible and will often get you stacked.  I usually try to avoid playing these cards unless I can come in raising and will have position. Also, do you really NEVER raise out of the BB unless you have at least four callers?  What do you do with aces and three callers?  You can't just check every time.  That's another good way to get stacked.

[luckystraights]

My tactic for winning heads-up used to be, being extremely aggressive with anything, even 4 high un-paired on the turn, but I changed gears, because it was very tough mentally to keep playing like that, since though my heads-up game has sank, so I think a return to my crazy aggressive game is in order.

When heads-up, I'll raise virtually every hand in the SB so I'm not giving the BB a free card,  though if I think he's going to start pushing I'll let him in for free now and then.

[FSL009]

yeah with AA AK KK and probably QQ I would be raising in BB but I hardly ever see them in that position.  My comment was more a general rule.  anyway I am not saying it is the best playing style but it is my style.

As to K-10 etc, i would fold to an earlier raise.  and only play then when i have the advantage of position and I am first to the pot.  If I get reraised I would consider throwing them. 

But dont get me wrong they are at the bottom end of my playing hands.

[demon604]

If noone has raised when I'm on the BB, I'm raising virtually every time.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Normal starting hands I play  Every pocket pair, AK, KQ, every suited A no matter what the other card is.  Pretty much any combination of the A-10 cards unless raised before me.  unsuited A's only if no raise or all fold to me.  pretty much anything in the BB if i get to check through.  I never raise in the BB unless their are four callers or more.  I figure what they don't know probably hurts them more than me declaring i have a decent hand with a raise.

First, I wanna play some poker with you. I could use some cash.    Okay, seriously, I suppose everyone has their preferred starting hand strategy but you might find being more selective during regular play will pay off better in the long run.

In heads up play, I will definitely loosen my game play, but a lot is still dependant on how my opponent has been playing and what information I have gathered about his play.  There have been many times where the chip-n-a-chair strategy paid off simply by being patient and striking when I had the advantage.  That means a lot of folding goes on.  Other times, my opponent will fold if they don't have a decent hand, so I can be more aggressive.  While others might suggest always raising during heads up play, I think it is also wise to mix it up.  Just because it's heads up and one is less likely to have great starting hands, doesn't mean, in my opinion, you should act recklessly. Continue to use strategy, plan your attacks and achieve the goal.  The more you can avoid lady luck, the better you'll be.

[Blaster]

Normal starting hands I play  Every pocket pair, AK, KQ, every suited A no matter what the other card is.  Pretty much any combination of the A-10 cards unless raised before me.  unsuited A's only if no raise or all fold to me.  pretty much anything in the BB if i get to check through.  I never raise in the BB unless their are four callers or more.  .....

 Never raise in the BB unless there are 4 callers or more when you have a decent hand??  Seems odd .. Your're going to allow 3 limpers to see a cheap flop when you hold 9/9, 10/10, K-Qs, A/K ect ?? ..
 I would raise or not raise in the BB based on my hand, position & feel for the other players.
  If, for example, I know almost any reasonable raise will not get the other 3 HeadMeats to lay down their limp, then I may Not raise with a low pocket pair or 2 random broadway cards ect ... If I have a high pocket pair, such as Q/Q K/K,  or A/Ks, I will be raising regardless of how few/many limpers are in the pot.

[hockeygoon]

Low pocket pairs can get you in a lot of trouble.  2-2 or 3-3 doesn't have a good chance of holding up after the flop unless you get lucky and catch a set.

[NotFadeAway]

Low pocket pairs can get you in a lot of trouble.  2-2 or 3-3 doesn't have a good chance of holding up after the flop unless you get lucky and catch a set.

I disagree about the small pairs getting you into trouble.  These hands avoid trouble very well, as you almost always know on the flop whether or not you've got the best hand.  They're great for that reason.

[TwoToGo-Grave]

Low pocket pairs can get you in a lot of trouble.  2-2 or 3-3 doesn't have a good chance of holding up after the flop unless you get lucky and catch a set.

I disagree about the small pairs getting you into trouble.  These hands avoid trouble very well, as you almost always know on the flop whether or not you've got the best hand.  They're great for that reason.

I agree 100% with my brother here.  Small pairs tend to be the safest and easiest hands to play when you're deep stacked, at least (when you're short, you may have to make a decision on whether to shove one).  Typically, you can try to take a cheap flop with the idea of only investing more with a set.  If you don't hit one, just fold; if you do, you can confidently invest more chips with the knowledge that you now hold a monster hand.

[Martini]

You need to start playing more hands when the table gets short handed, not just when you are heads up. When you are heads up you need to play just about every hand if not every hand.

I would also read this article http://www.cardplayer.com/magazine/article/15250. Even if you don't use the system they describe it gives you a good idea of the relative worth of card combinations heads up.