Maniac Play

[James81]

Hi, the opponent is a Maniac, who raises every pot 2 times the big blind and reraise every raise...

Take also the lead in every pot...

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool (http://poker-tools.flopturnriver.com/Hand-Converter.php) from FlopTurnRiver.com (http://www.flopturnriver.com) (Format: 2+2 Forums)

saw flop|<font color="#C00000">saw showdown</font>

<font color="#C00000">CO ($2.73)</font>
Button ($9.72)
<font color="#C00000">Hero ($9.70)</font>
BB ($4.90)
<font color="#C00000">UTG ($21.72)</font>
MP1 ($5.13)
MP2 ($24.79)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K/images/graemlins/spade.gif, Q/images/graemlins/diamond.gif.
<font color="#CC3333">UTG raises to $0.1</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO calls $0.10, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Hero calls $0.08, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>.

Flop: ($0.35) 9/images/graemlins/club.gif, Q/images/graemlins/spade.gif, 8/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets $0.5</font>, <font color="#CC3333">CO raises to $1</font>, Hero calls $1, <font color="#CC3333">UTG raises to $1.5</font>, CO calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50.

Turn: ($4.85) 7/images/graemlins/club.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $2</font>, UTG calls $2, CO calls $1.13 (All-In).

River: ($9.98) 4/images/graemlins/club.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players, 1 all-in)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets $6</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $6.1</font>, UTG calls $0.09.

Final Pot: $22.18

[RAHZero]

Playing against maniacs can be frustrating, but also rewarding. Here I'd be a little concerned about the presence of CO, but he's short, so I'm more than happy to get it all-in against the maniac with top pair, second kicker. Since he raises a lot, however, I'd just lead that flop, and I'd bet more on that turn.

[barryc83]

The problem here is that there's two opponents in the pot w/ you. I have no prob w/ pf call, but KQo OOP in multiwy pot is not gonna play well. Either raise flop or fold IMO. As played, fold river.

[ticks]

Raise preflop to isolate, bet flop.
If CO tags along, I'd slow down considerably.
I assume this guy is the kind of maniac who bets and raises any two cards.
With a a loose and crazy maniac I want to get as much $ in preflop with KQ as possible.

equity (%) win (%) tie (%)
Hand 1: 61.9420 % 60.93% 01.02% { KQs, KQo }
Hand 2: 38.0580 % 37.04% 01.02% { random }

[ticks]

Before anyone chimes in to tell me this is crazy, high variance, etc, consider the following:

You have KK against a player who is slightly loose,
but not a retard.

equity (%) win (%) tie (%)
Hand 1: 57.1906 % 54.62% 02.57% { KK }
Hand 2: 42.8094 % 40.24% 02.57% { QQ+, AKs, AKo }

And we all think pushing KK preflop is good, yes?
Notice how your edge in this scenario is smaller than in the scenario against the maniac.

[Sir Winalot]

Ticks, I think your reasoning has one major flaw: we'll have to give up on the flop unimproved if he keeps betting, right?

Anyway, I think I like the idea to some extent, but I'm not sure I'd like to go all the way preflop with KQ for over 100bb. Postflop I have nothing against going to war if I hit top pair.

[ticks]

[ QUOTE ]
Ticks, I think your reasoning has one major flaw: we'll have to give up on the flop unimproved if he keeps betting, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

Meh.
I'd continue with overs, gutshot, 224 flop, etc.
With this kind of maniac you have to keep one thing in mind:
The action is bascially meaningless.
He is betting with any two cards pre- and postflop,
and all you have to do is to make sure you pick cards preflop that has a reasonable edge over his range.
Then play those cards hard and fast.

If you are worried about losing your stack a few times you should get a bigger roll.

[HitNRunPoster]

you need to fold this on the flop, unless they're both maniacs. /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Triggerle]

There is this thing called selective memory. We all know these situations where we drop buy-in after buy-in to someone, who plays any two and gets lucky only to see someone else at the table busting him before we can make our money back. But there are lots of situations where this maniac comes to the table an we bust him in the first hand before we even know he is a maniac and we don't make a mental note about that.

In the long run it all evens out.

[Sir Winalot]

[ QUOTE ]

Meh.
I'd continue with overs, gutshot, 224 flop, etc.
With this kind of maniac you have to keep one thing in mind:
The action is bascially meaningless.
He is betting with any two cards pre- and postflop,
and all you have to do is to make sure you pick cards preflop that has a reasonable edge over his range.
Then play those cards hard and fast.

If you are worried about losing your stack a few times you should get a bigger roll.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm a wussy, I want my pair. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Big Poppa Smurf]

this is your thought process for the hand:

CO is short so I don't care what he has, I have tp against a maniac, ALL IN