Beginner's Question: Heads-up Format? - Micro Stakes Pot Limit and No Limit

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Beginner's Question: Heads-up Format?

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05-01-2010 , 07:08 PM

Dynamik

newbie

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18

My friend and I want to play heads up, but we're not sure what format is optimal for determining who is the better player.

I proposed starting with 200 BBs and the blinds staying constant, then playing until one of us busts out.

My friend said there needs to be more of a "gamble" because my format is too boring and proposed either:

A) Starting with 100 BBs and the blinds stay constant, then playing until one of us busts out, or...
B) Starting with 200 BBs and the blinds go up tournament style, then playing until one of us busts out.

What format do you think is the best for determining who is the better heads-up player?

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05-01-2010 , 07:10 PM

rbracco

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,605

I think you are obviously aware it is the one with less gamble. BTW a 200bb match won't tell who is the better player. If you really want to know you need to play a long series of 200bb matches or like 10k+ hands.

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05-01-2010 , 07:20 PM

Dynamik

newbie

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbracco

I think the format with less gamble is better too.

And yeah, one game won't determine anything. There needs to be a series of matches like you said to see who can win more in the long run. I agree.

Thanks for the input.

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05-01-2010 , 08:02 PM

chinz

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 9,061

They require different skills so they aren't 100% comparable...

It's possible to gain bigger edge (as in ROI %) in deep matches with slow blind structures, but on the other hand you get more matches in the same time playing with shorter stacks and faster blind increase.

As long as hands/hr stays the same, I think they both are about as good for determining which one is better player. You could probably argue that when stacks go <20bb, the better player's edge start to get (significantly) smaller.

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05-01-2010 , 08:29 PM

shotgut

centurion

Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 189

meh, play like 15-20 matches with standard husng blind structure, prob needs alot more matches to really know who's the best, but should be enough

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05-02-2010 , 01:13 AM

B Pars

banned

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 147

The only way to even get close to eliminating variance is to play like 30k hands of cash. Every beast on the HUNL forum has gotten owned by a massive drooler for 4 buy ins in 30 mins regardless of playing their A game or not. You won't accomplish much.

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