Exploiting Loose-Tricky Opponents? NLTRN

[Collin Moshman]

Hi Guys,

So my goal when playing HU is to observe how my opponent reacts to my usual game to get an idea of his style and tendencies as quickly as possible, then modify my style to exploit. (I mainly do SNGs, but I think the same concept applies to cash.) Sometimes this is pretty easy.

Example: After 10 hands, he limps or min-raises his button each time, then checks or bets small post-flop. OOP he calls 3BB raises each time I raise, and only folds once to a post-flop bet. So I mark him as loose-passive, and unless things change, my basic strategy is to see as many flops as possible cheaply and bet any piece for value, usually two streets OOP and every street in position; no piece and check/fold.

The style I find hardest to exploit is loose, unpredictable guys. They see a lot of flops, and make and call a lot of bets in a tough-to-interpret manner. Sometimes they fold to the initial c-bet, other times they'll lead out unexpectedly, and the only thing consistent about them is that they're loose. So you don't know what kind of implied odds you're getting to see flops, and when they make a play like a small check-raise, it's real hard to put them on a range (e.g., loose-passive and it's almost always a real hand, loose-aggressive and the range is very wide, but these guys you really can't narrow down their holdings much). They're not necessarily good or bad players, just loose and unpredictable.

This question may be too general, but I've encountered a lot of such loose-unpredictable players lately, and I'd really like some ideas for playing these guys, and/or inexpensive ways to make them give away more about their style.

Thanks for any input.
-- Collin