I all. I'm new to this site, and to poker.

A buddy and I have started playing 1 on 1 when there's noone else to play with. I was wondering if you guys could tell me a little about the strategies you use 1 on 1? Or even some terms I can search for that may help me?

He tends to play a little conservatively, until near the end, when he starts randomly betting (raise $1, check, raise $.35, call etc etc).



If this is too broad of a question, sorry, I'm really new to this. Any pointers, or sites I can go to and read would be really helpful.

Thank you!

P.S. I know 1 on 1 isn't ideal, but when noone else is around, it's just for fun ($5 buy in lol)

Hello and welcome,

Two player poker is often referred to as Heads Up. This can be because there are only two players or they can be the final 2 left in a tournament.

Search Heads Up and you should find some useful stuff.

The main strategy for heads up is raise a lot. One thing to be very wary of is that Heads Up is very different to playing with more people so it's probably worth reading up on strategies for full tables as well.

Heads up play is an art form. I really suck at heads up play, but I'm sure some people here can help you with what your looking for.

Thank you for the quick replies!

I've read a bit on full tables (just thought of using the net to learn more about poker a few days ago lol), but can never seem to find anything for 1 on 1 (I guess now that I have an actual term it should be easier haha).


Thank you again!

If you want to play online poker heads up, go to Igotpoker.com, download the software, and get $5 FREE. Then play the 10cent 1x1 tournaments. Great practice.

Thanks Rog, but I'm only 16 (thus playing with friends instead of casino and/or tournaments).

So far what I've got from the stuff I've read, is like Irexes said. They all say you wont win if you play passively, and you need to raise alot. If the other person is playing this way, you need to re-raise.

Thanks guys!

Another question, is a shorthanded game also played in this fashion, but maybe a little bit more conservatively?

Thank you!

Well, I didn't play 1 on 1 tonight, but it was shorthanded (started with 7 people, ended up with 4). I took the advice I got in here and in articles, and it worked! I don't know how, but I cleaned house lol.

Thanks everybody