The Expresso heads-up is the decisive moment. Mastering HU short-stack play covers 50%+ of your games.
Characteristics of Expresso HU
HU typically arrives with stacks between 10 and 25 BB. The pace is fast, every hand matters, and push/fold dominates.
Optimal HU Short Stack Ranges
25 BB BTN: push ~35%, open ~30%, fold ~35%
20 BB BTN: push ~45%
15 BB BTN: push ~55-60%
10 BB BTN: push ~70%
7 BB BTN: push all decent hands
BB Defense in Heads-Up
In BB, calibrate your call frequency by stack. Facing a 10 BB push, call with approximately the top 40-50% of hands.
Exploitative Adjustments
Even in push/fold, exploitative adjustments matter. If your opponent folds too much, push wider. If they call too loose, tighten up and push for value.
The Mental Aspect of HU
HU is also a mental duel. Maintain your focus, observe patterns, and don’t let a bad beat in the previous hand affect your next decision.
