$12K Heads Up

We have a home tournament series to send one of our players to the WSOP. Wouldn't you know it, it ended in a tie. Predefined play in case of a tie, 5000 starting chips, 30 minute blinds, starting at 25/50. My opponent is a tight solid player who will mix it up. I have been the aggressor.
My heads up confidence is down. I had a chance to win the tournament out right the last 2 times but lost heads up both times. Once with a 3:1 chip lead and the second time a slight chip lead. (2pr against top pair and flush draw on flop- flush won, Trips on turn against flush - flush won)
My questions are:
Should I play small pot poker with the blind structure?
Should I sit back and trap against my tight opponent?
Should I avoid all ins?
Do I burn large chips on a drawing hand?
Do I pressure with my drawing hands?
My heads up luck has not been running good, I need advice.

Thanks in advance!

Tags: heads, up

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Permalink Reply by The Future Poker Star on May 30, 2008 at 1:12pm: I am afraid I don't have any worthwhile advise for you, so I will be very interested to see some of the response you get to improve my own game.

Oh... and good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chuck Prince on August 1, 2008 at 2:21pm: Sorry for the delay in responding,

I did WIN the WSOP entry playing heads up.

It was obvious from the beginning he was changing his style and being the aggressor. I tightened up and folded, folded, folded till I picked up premium hands. After I picked up several pots, he tightened up and I was able to steal some blinds. We went back and forth for about 45 minutes and then the fireworks went off.
I had AQs with a flop of Q73 rainbow. He checked the flop, I checked the flop. 2 on the turn, he checks, I bet 2/3 pot - $350, he raises to a $1000, I reraise to $2000, He moves all in, I insta call.
KQ vs AQ. 9 on the river - Game over

My WSOP experience was not as productive. After 5 hours of tight play I get K10s on the big blind and the table bully raises from the button as he had for some time and this time I called. The flop was QJ9 (one spade) I hit the nut straight. I check, he raises to $3500, I move all in with my last $8K. He thinks about it and says he's pot committed and calls (His stack was about $30K)
He shows AQ spades. I show my straight, feeling pretty good. Next came runner, runner spades and I am sent to the rail.

I waited for hours to stick it to him and got it all in with the best hand. I guess the poker gods were not smiling on me this day. I wanted a better showing on my first attempt. Looking for redemption next year!; ▶ Reply to This