NBC National Heads Up Tournament is Set

This annual Heads Up Tournament will be played at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for three days starting March 5TH.  Each of the four years this 64-player match has been held has proven to be a severe test of Heads Up Play.  This year's announced field is a Who's Who list of poker players from around the world.  Many of them have a strong record in other prestiges' poker events and have a proven capacity to win at any tournament.  The number of WSOP winners is outstanding as well as those that have done well in the WPT and the major tournaments that have been held in Europe.  The list represents players from 15 different countries of origin, which enhances its International flavor.

The player list includes five celebrities, four of them previous players in the event, one Caesars qualifier and three amateur qualifiers.  Reading the list of professional poker players is like an all-star list of the all time best poker players that are still playing.   Famous players like Doyle Brunson and Chris Ferguson give a taste of the quality of the pros that are invited to play.  Previous champions of this tournament are automatic players as well as winners of some of the better-known tournaments.

Heads Up Poker is a different skill set than a big cash game or even a big money tournament.   Many players are excellent at a full-seated cash game table or the same in a tournament.  Where the difference is well defined is the skill it takes to win in a heads up situation.  This takes not only good card sense, but also the ability to consider the betting or bluffing on any round of cards.  Luck does play a part in any poker game, but heads up is also about playing skill.

Chris Ferguson a math wiz, won last year with his ability to figure out quickly if a hand was worth the risk of playing and his numbers ability was a big help for his win.  Some players depend on the play of the hand and their gut feel of the hand they are dealt as well as what they think their opponent may hold.

This seasons event shapes up as a rigorous contest between great players and may well prove to be the best tournament to date.  Unless the cards just run over a player, skill will again determine the winner.

TagsCaesars Palace, Heads Up Poker, Heads Up Tournament, NBC, poker, poker players, WPT, WSOP

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