Shootout and heads-up tournaments
In a shootout, every table plays until one player has all the chips, and that winner advances to the next round. There is no table balancing. Heads-up tournaments are a bracket of one-on-one matches.
How it works
Your only goal at each stage is to win your table or match, so the dynamics differ from normal events where you just need to survive. Heads-up play rewards aggression, because you are in the blinds every hand.
A 6-max shootout with 36 players: six tables play down to six winners, who meet at a final table.
Strategy tips
- In shootouts, adjust to your table only. You don't need to track other tables.
- Heads-up: raise most buttons and defend your big blind wide.
- Watch your opponent's tendencies closely. You play every hand against them.
- Short-handed endgames reward aggression over waiting.
- Study common heads-up push/fold charts for short stacks.
Common mistakes
- Playing too tight heads-up
- Treating a shootout like a normal survival event
🔎 Know who you're up against
In shootouts and heads-up you're stuck with the same few opponents, so table selection matters a lot. Knowing whether your opponent is a seasoned heads-up player or a casual one tells you how aggressive you can be.
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FAQ
What is a shootout and heads-up tournament?
In a shootout, every table plays until one player has all the chips, and that winner advances to the next round. There is no table balancing. Heads-up tournaments are a bracket of one-on-one matches.
Do shootouts balance tables?
No. Each table plays until one winner remains.
Related guides
6-max and 9-max · Turbo and hyper-turbo
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