However in heads-up play, the dealer posts the short blind and their opponent posts the big blind. The first round of betting begins with the player who sits to the left of the player who posted the big blind and all subsequent rounds of betting begin with the player who posted the small blind. The big blind is posted by the player to the left of the small blind. In poker games other than heads-up the small blind is posted by the player positioned clockwise from the dealer (or nominal dealer in online poker). There is one key adaptation when it comes to playing community card poker games such as Texas Holdem and Omaha heads up, which see the normal position of the small and big binds reversed. If you’re new to poker check out our how to play poker section for an introduction to the game and links to how-to-play guides for Texas Holdem, Omaha and other types of poker. How to play heads-up pokerĪs mentioned above, the rules for many forms of poker don’t change when playing heads-up. Similarly, with only one opponent needing to fall for your bluff, bluffing is more likely to be successful.

With only one opponent to beat, competitors have a high chance of winning each hand regardless of what they are dealt and tend to play aggressively as a result.

Games of poker can become heads up when just two players remain at the table at the start of a hand, while heads-up tournaments are popular at online poker sites. However, there are some heads-up adaptations in community card poker games such as Texas Holdem (see how to play, below). Hands progress according to the rules of the specific type of poker you’re playing heads-up, just as they would do were more players involved.

Virtually any type of poker can be played heads-up. Heads-up poker refers to any form of the game in which the hand is played out between just two players.

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