You have some decks of cards, some gambling chips, and some time to kill. You might be in the mood to try your luck in poker, but what do you do if there are only two of you?
The good news is that you can try your luck in poker with just two people if you know how to modify the game to fit that situation. In fact, playing a few hands with just one other person can be a fun change of pace.
Another benefit of playing poker for two is that you can practice the art of slow play in poker with fewer people at the table. This special rendition of poker is most often referred to as heads-up poker.
The Basics of Heads-Up Poker for Two People
If you’re an intermediate poker player, the thought of playing with just two people might produce some confusion. It might seem nearly impossible to play without at least three people taking part.
There is a solution, though. In heads-up poker, the dealer takes on the role of the small blind, and the other player takes care of the big blind. Dealing will be one of the poker skills you will need on both accounts, as you will take turns acting as the dealer.
How to Deal for Heads-Up Poker
In heads-up poker, the big blind gets the first card, then the dealer has their turn before the flop. The big blind follows the flop in both standard and uncommon poker variants.
This sequence gives the dealer an advantage by providing more information when they make decisions, such as whether to fold, call, or raise in poker. Because you take turns as the dealer, though, it evens out as long as you play an even number of hands.
How Many Decks Are Used in Heads-Up Poker?
This is easy to remember because you usually use the same number of decks as players, which is 2. It’s up to the two of you which version to play, and if you’re unsure, Borgata’s ultimate poker glossary can help you settle on a specific game.
The rules of the game you select will dictate whether you incorporate the jokers and other differences between poker games. Standard practice is to play with one deck while the other is shuffled beside the player who will deal the next hand.
Popular Poker Variants for Heads-Up Play
While you can adapt just about any version of poker, some are more common for two players than others. These games are among the most popular poker variations for larger groups.
Texas Hold’em
Some of the longest poker games in history have been Texas Hold’em games, but you shouldn’t have to worry about that with two players. Texas Hold’em is easy to adapt because the focus of the action is on the five community cards.
If you’re considering Texas Hold’em vs. Omaha, it’s ultimately up to you and your partner which game you play. Since it’s only the two of you, there’s no reason you couldn’t do both over the course of your time together.
Five-Card Draw
If you aren’t too familiar with how to play five-card draw poker, playing with only one other person can be ideal. It’s a low-pressure environment for learning by doing.
Through a few hands, you can pick up everything you need to know about folding in poker and other elements of the game. Experience is the best teacher.
Pot-Limit Omaha
Heads-up poker can also be a great crash course for how to play Pot-Limit Omaha poker. That leads to one potential downside of playing poker with just one other person.
If that person is a good friend or significant other, they will know you better than a stranger at a casino or an acquaintance. That could make it more challenging to bluff or pull off successfully
The Unique Experience of Heads-Up Poker
Besides the potential familiarity with the other player, there are different ways in which two-player poker is unique. For instance, it can mimic fast-fold poker in the hands, taking far less time to complete.
Heads-up poker also tends to feature lower blinds. It’s a perfect vehicle for beginner preparation for poker tournaments because of that factor, as you can still get in some practice while saving more of your bankroll.
Of course, if it’s a friendly game, no money needs to change hands at all. You can really take your time examining starting hands for Texas Hold’em and how to play them.
Prep for Your Opponent With Borgata Online
With Borgata Online, you don’t even need another person to test your skills at online poker variants and other online casino games. Borgata’s apps are available for players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania at their convenience for solo play.
As soon as you’re ready, you can take advantage of the Borgata welcome offer for new players to get dealt into the game of your choice. That includes many live dealer games if you want to include a social element in your online play.
You can begin building your expertise with all of the games when you register for Borgata Online. That way, you can enjoy your favorite games whether your poker partner is ready to play or not.