Most peculiar

[partygirluk]

Payoff structure is 50/30/20 and we are 3 handed.

Button 9760 chips
Me (SB) 1655 chips
Maniac (bb) 2085 chips

100/200 blinds.

Button folds. Maniac needs to get to an engagement as is going all in, or calling all in every hand. What range of hands should I be pushing on?

[TakenItEasy]

Just as a first thought I would try to get him head to head and play as if you were making a short stack play. A7+ or any pair.

[partygirluk]

Right, but I could guarantee myself second at minimum by folding every hand. This is a math question I think.

[TakenItEasy]

I never shoot for 2nd once I achieve third. For example, for a total of $100 you already have $20 so you can improve by $10 or by $40. Odds dictate to always go for 1st.

[theredpill]

I think this has an easy answer. You definitely go for the win. 50 % going to first is huge. The more 1st's you have the bigger difference in your ROI. I'd wait for a good hand and try to double up on him and then take him down. Chances are guy in 3rd will be knocked out or he may double up as well.

[poboy]

I think to play for 1st would normally be the correct choice. Given the stack sizes though, if you were sure you could fold into second this might be a better way to go. The chip leader has such a huge lead that even if you were to eliminate the maniac you would still have only 1/3 of his stack and still finish second a large majority of the time. Combined with the times that you will bust out 3rd, it doesn't seem to profitable to take an unnecesary chance. I would still open up my range of calling hands but not by much.