Heads-Up No-Limit Hold 'em [Perfect Paperback]

Collin Moshman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2008

Heads-up confrontations can occur in any game, even when every seat is occupied. Yet, most hold em players who transition to the heads-up form, especially if they are from full ring no-limit games, do not succeed. Adjusting to the amount of aggression can be difficult since heads-up battles require you to bet and raise with many more hands than what would be considered standard at a full table.

Despite this, no-limit heads-up hold em is growing rapidly, especially on the Internet. So mastering this form of poker can be invaluable for those seeking to add a winning loose-aggressive component to their game. In addition, with the increasing number of heads-up matches now available, becoming proficient in them can be highly profitable.

This text, written by expert heads-up player Collin Moshman, is the first poker strategy book devoted exclusively to no-limit heads-up play. Through extensive hand examples and accompanying theory, you will learn to: 1. Master expected value, equity, value betting, and the fundamental mathematics of heads-up strategy,
2. Play and exploit each of the most common playing styles,
3. Manipulate the pot size based on your hand and your opponent,
4. Attack button limps, bluff multiple streets, and aggress in the most profitable manner,
5. Distinguish between optimal cash and tournament strategies,
6. Exploit your opponents tendencies and perceptions through metagame mastery, and
7. Maximize your heads-up profits through game theory and fundamental business concepts.

So whether you are an aspiring heads-up professional, or want to be ready for the next time you re challenged to a one-on-one battle, Heads Up No-Limit Hold em provides you with the tools you need to succeed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Collin Moshman has always held a deep interest for mathematics and games. He received an honors degree in theoretical math from the California Institute of Technology in 2003. He then abandoned his graduate studies in economics after discovering that he could make a better living gambling.

Although Collin started by playing 10¢-25¢ cash no-limit hold em, he quickly began specializing in 1-table sit n go tournaments. These games require a specific math-based approach which Collin mastered through his own online games and detailed in Sit n Go Strategy: Expert Advice for Beating One-Table Poker Tournaments. Also published by Two Plus Two.

Collin started off playing heads up poker for the challenge; he quickly discovered that the tight strategy required for normal sit n go s was inadequate for these matches. A loose-aggressive style with strong elements of unpredictability was required, and he set to work mastering fiancé math and logic of this new game. He consulted with experts in cash and tournament play to verify his theories and put them to paper. The result is this book.

Collin earns the majority of his income playing online poker, both full sit n go s and heads up matches. He has written articles for publications such as Poker Pro and the Two Plus Two Internet Magazine. He also produces instructional videao fStoxpoker. Collin lives in Washington, DC with his fiancee Katie.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 393 pages
• Publisher: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC (September 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880685442
• ISBN-13: 978-1880685440
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Collin Moshman graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2003 with an honors degree in theoretical mathematics. After depositing $50 onto an online poker site, he studied the game extensively, soon turning professional through his math background.

Collin wrote strategy books on the first two game types he specialized in, "Sit 'n Go Strategy" and "Heads-Up No-Limit Hold 'Em," both of which became instant poker bestsellers. He recently co-authored "The Math of Hold 'Em" with Douglas Zare. His latest project is the poker thriller "The Superuser" which he co-authored with his wife, professional poker player Katie Dozier.

Collin produces poker training videos for Cardrunners and heads Team Moshman, one of the most renowned teams of staked and coached players worldwide. He has personally coached hundreds of students into beating their games through his math-based approach to hold 'em, and spends much of his time playing many different poker variations. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife, yellow lab Wilbur, and cat Mr. Ed.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Place to Start, but no Game Theory June 28, 2009

By Seth Baldwin

Format:Perfect Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If most of your experience is at full tables, this book will certainly help you. What I find frustrating is chapters relating to game theory have tantalizing titles, then almost no content. The chapter on "Unexploitable Short Stack Play" has no reference to the Jam-or-Fold table developed by Bill Chen in The Mathematics of Poker (and Andy Bloch before him). The chapter on "Nash Equilibrium" merely describes what a Nash equilibrium is, not how to calculate one or use it in your game. Moshman argues that it's better to play exploitively of your opponents, and while I agree, I don't see how you can omit what unexploitable play looks like because you have to play a basic strategy until you determine what your opponent's style is to exploit.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insights December 12, 2008

By Jeffrey D. Neuman

Format:Perfect Paperback

The authors first book was one of the most informative and profitable poker books I have ever read so I was very interested in reading more of his ideas and I was not disapointed . Heads Up NLHE is very informative and has some very innovative ideas on how to handle the difficult situations you face in a heads up confrontation. Moshman's thoughts on exploiting different playing styles and pot size control and manipulation were particularly useful . This is a excellent advanced poker book .

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No-Fluff Keeper January 12, 2011

By M. Mahn

Format:Perfect Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found Collin's book during a time when I was going through my poker library and tossing out books that were disappointments or that I had outgrown. Always willing to shovel out more funds to improve, I purchased Heads-Up No-Limit Hold 'em by Collin Moshman, and it is one that will be staying in my collection. It's definitely a book where multiple readings will help solidify the concepts.

I have played tens of thousands of head up matches in other poker variants, but have never gotten into NLHE. I just didn't get it. So when I found Collin's book I was excited and my excitement has grown as I have gotten through the pages.

With a few pages left to go, I have started to dabble in NLHE Head Up games and am already a winner. Before reading Collin's book I had no method, no plan, and just got crushed whenever I'd play NLHE HU on a whim.

With a little more practice (and another 40 or so pages), I think I'll have another go-to game in my arsenal. I'd think players on all levels could benefit from the material.