pocket 88 against a maniac
 

MP3 is a maniac, CO is passive but not tight, likes to limp preflop.

PokerStars 1/2 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
UTG calls, <font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, Hero calls, MP3 calls, CO calls, Button calls, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (7 SB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(7 players)</font>
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP3 bets</font>, CO calls, Button folds, SB calls, BB calls, UTG folds, Hero calls.

decided to wait for a safe turn to bet since my hand is very marginal


Turn: (6 BB) 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(5 players)</font>
SB checks, BB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP3 raises</font>, CO calls, SB folds, BB folds, Hero .... ?

Re: pocket 88 against a maniac
 

raise pf to isolate our lone limper and keep it short handed. bet that flop.

Re: pocket 88 against a maniac
 

I'm limping here, unless maniac has a tendency to 3 bet PF anytime it's raised in front of him, in which case, raise PF to try and and get him excited and narrow the field. (I hate sitting to the right of maniacs personally).

Your hand has showdown value, so WA/WB could be a default line. Lately I've been experimenting with betting the flop, and 3 betting his raise in this situation.

Re: pocket 88 against a maniac
 

You have terrible seat selection.

Bet/3bet the flop.

Re: pocket 88 against a maniac
 

I'm inclined to bet the flop in expectation maniac would raise. I'd want to cut the field quite a bit here by facing them hopefully with 2 in a small pot.

At first I thought a flop c/r would be best but I'm thinking now it's the worst line. Looks like it would bloat the pot for overcards. They'll surely call one more flop bet.

The turn: I probably raise here. Depends on a read of CO. Some passives don't raise their straight or trips here. Some are seeing the river with A2o.

If MP3 caps I'm hoping CO drops out.

In either case I'm not sure how the river should be played.

Re: pocket 88 against a maniac
 

[ QUOTE ]

decided to wait for a safe turn to bet since my hand is very marginal


[/ QUOTE ]

I bet the flop and let the maniac do the protecting for me. Any callers after the maniac raises and I may start to think set.

Re: pocket 88 against a maniac
 

I would raise preflop. And as said above: Bet and 3bet that flop!