When we get to heads-up play, meaning one player has been eliminated and only two players are left, our basic strategy remains a push/fold game. From the charts below, we can see the stack sizes where we should push all-in as well as call an all-in when playing from the Small Blind or Big Blind. It’s really that simple. Don’t get cute, just follow the charts.
SMALL BLIND PUSH/FOLD CHART (HEADS-UP)
Just a quick note about the color coding of these charts. The colors simply indicate if the hand is suited, unsuited or a wired pair. The numbers for each hand are what we need to be concerned with, as they represent the specific stack size we need to push all-in from the Small Blind (above chart) or call an all-in from the Big Blind (below chart). So, for example, if we only have 3BB left in our stack, we will push all-in with 96o but fold 94o.
BIG BLIND PUSH/FOLD CHART (HEADS-UP)
Again, disregard the colors and instead focus on the numbers. The same method also applies to this chart for calling an all-in. We would call an all-in with all stack sizes listed and below for any given hand and fold if we have a bigger stack size than listed.
HEADS-UP QUIZ
It’s time for a quiz. Take your time and think about each one, then check your answers below the banner.
Questions:
- 1. We have A5o in the SB, what do we do with an 8BB stack? What do we do with a 25BB stack? What about in the BB?
- 2. We have 4BBs on the BB. What do we do with 87o, 86o, and 85o when the SB shoves?
- 3. What do we do with pocket pairs in the SB?
- 4. We have 94s and 7BB in the SB. What do we do?
Answers:
- We shove all of these situations.
- 87o – call, 86o – call, 85o – fold
- We shove all of them
- We fold.
