Heads-up poker is a form of the game that can be played on its own or as a part of a tournament. It can be played in Texas Hold’em and Omaha, and it can happen in live and online settings. The only requirement is that there can only be two people playing it.

The basics of heads-up poker only involve a few rules and a little bit of strategy to get started.

What Is Heads-up Poker?

In poker, heads-up is a game involving only two players. No matter the game – Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, Draw, or even mixed poker games – it is heads-up poker when there are only two people. 

Some of the most common heads-up situations are:

• A cash game featuring just two players, which is more common in online poker than in live poker rooms
• A heads-up tournament that involves numerous one-on-one matches, always with the winner advancing to the next round of one-on-one poker
• The part of any multi-player tournament at which only two players remain. Those last two players compete heads-up for the title
• The part of a hand (no matter how many players at the table) at which only two players remain in the hand. They are heads-up for the pot

Most new players find that heads-up online poker tournaments at low stakes are the best way to practice this type of poker.

Heads Up Poker Rules

The rules for heads-up poker are the same as in games with multiple players, whether in Hold’em, Omaha, or another variant. The rules for betting, calling, raising, and folding remain the same.

The primary difference is that the action is condensed and can move faster due to only two players making decisions. Importantly, the blinds are also different in relation to the dealer button. Both players are going to post a blind – one the small blind and the other the big blind – in every hand. 

Blinds in Heads Up Poker

The dealer button and the blinds are unique in heads-up poker. 

First, let’s answer the most common question for new poker players: What are poker blinds? They are the cost of playing in the game, forcing action on players at least once per round. It prevents constant folding and prompts players to act according to how much money is already invested in a hand based on the amounts of the small blind and big blind.

In a normal multi-player cash game or tournament the dealer button acts before the small blind and then the big blind, all in clockwise fashion and rotating one position after every hand. With only two players in heads-up format, however, there are important rules.

• The player with the dealer button posts the small blind, and the other player posts the big blind
• The dealer starts by distributing the first card to the big blind
• The button/small blind player acts first in the pre-flop round of betting
• The big blind player acts first post-flop and after the turn and river

This button and blind placement works the same in Hold’em or Omaha, in live or online poker.

Heads Up Poker Strategy

The key to heads-up poker is finding the right level of aggression. The odds of receiving premium hole cards is lower than in multi-player games, so players must make the most of the hands they receive.

At the beginning stage of heads-up play, it is best to avoid large pre-flop raises and nonstop aggression. It is beneficial to use a mixture of calls and bets to gauge the betting and playing style of the opponent. There isn’t a lot of time to do this, especially in a tournament format with escalating blinds and antes, but it is beneficial to put out some feeler bets and get a sense of the other player’s mindset and strategy.

Another important factor in heads-up poker is varying one’s play. It can become a habit to raise every big blind in a larger tournament setting, but that pattern is very easily detected in heads-up play. Instead, vary bet sizing and raises to keep the opponent guessing.

It is best to limit bluffing, especially when first developing a heads-up strategy. 

Finally, It is key to pay attention to every detail of the opponent’s actions and stay focused. Merriam-Webster defines the adjective heads-up as showing or requiring keen awareness and swift action. Those are certainly helpful when playing poker, especially against just one opponent. Avoid distracting table talk and focus.

Why Choose BetMGM to Play Online Poker

Online poker is the prime environment in which to learn and practice heads-up poker. Even the best heads-up players in the world took time to practice, develop their own strategies, and improve their heads-up skills over time. 

On a legal online poker platform like BetMGM Poker, players can find heads-up tournaments and heads-up cash games, the latter sometimes on demand. Live poker rooms rarely offer heads-up play other than as a part of large tournament series.

Play online with BetMGM Poker today and try heads-up poker.