Maniacs

Threesixes said:

2s? Are you kidding? You might be interested to see how youre 2s fair against a random hand. Just under K2 offsuit. Then see where a QJ suited stands.

http://www.jazbo.com/poker/huholdem.html

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Sure when the 2's are the favorite to win against any 2 random cards that aren't pockets. Can't be afraid to lose when you are the favorite to win.
I remember one in particular was the A,K off suit, he was so pissed he lost to my 22's.

So by investing a few extra dollars to see a heads up flop (with a hand that is above average compared to what the maniac has been playing), knowing when I hit, I can let him bury himself, I am wish luck calling or whatever you call it and losings tons of money. Even though, if I dont hit, I have the option to fold.

In order to make money, I should push all in preflop with 2s because this has nothing to do with chance or luck. Ok, point taken, thanks for your help.

Then let me reiterate my original point.

When you're at the table with someone who plays
this way, the key is to TIGHTEN UP UNTIL YOU CATCH
A GOOD HAND.

Then strike.

For instance, don't limp-in (call the blinds)
before the flop against this player. Instead, you
should either FOLD (when you don't have a good
hand) or RAISE (when you do have a good hand).

Don't call.

The only way you'll beat this player is to take a
stand and COME BACK OVER THE TOP OF HIM.

Put HIM on the defensive...

And if he is playing so loose that he re-raises
you when you have a good hand, then simply go
all-in and wipe him out.

Tammy said:

I think that the point is Threesixes had a good read on this guy, and this example villain just happened to have a hand (preflop) anyway. You can see by his (maniacal) betting through all streets what kind of player he is. I think T played this fine. Of course in any normal circumstance he's not going to make that call pf. But in this case, he's playing the player, not the cards.

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I agree here. ABC poker or GTO has its benefits. But exploitative is the way to go all day long..

gord962 said:

I played a maniac that got the luckiest cards I have ever seen. This guy had worked his way up to 5 X max buy in and just kept playing the strangest hands and getting paid off.

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Maniac or not if he does not play 100% of the hands he cant have any two cards every time as also he will select some hands and e.g. play AK 100% and 27 less then 100%. Only if he plays 100% he can have any 2. Then again in this situation AQ is a pretty good hand especially with the A of diamonds in the hand, if the maniac can make the move with any two cards and is very wide preflop as you indicate then calling can down with AQ on the board given might be a long term a small +EV play, but a marginal one at best.

If you are only slightly wrong (e.g. he plays only 50% of his hands or e.g. only cbets 75% of his hands) then calling big bets with AQ as two over cards and no other draw can become a big mistake and a big -EV play quickly. And besides beating the opponent you also have to beat the rake so taking on marginal EV situations is not a good idea in my book.