[theRealMacoy]

hey john,

i play against a couple of maniacs regularly along with some real calling stations. my advice is to play better starting hands than they do; however if the table is wildly loose then you can loosen up a bit as well. When you can be aggressive and try and isolate with on or two of the maniacs (push your edge when you have it), as you know your hand is going to be much better than their start. Use check raises when you can or reraise, anything to get you isolated. If this is doesn't work to drop anyone, I find wait until the night goes on a bit and some of these calling stations get a little short stacked, then hit the aggression again. Often these players might tighten up enough to be wary of cold calling two or three bets. If you play to the river, be sure to almost always bet for value with your mediocre hands against these consistent maniacs. If you consistently play back at them they will hopefully leave you alone and not take the same kind of shots at you.

Cheers,
The Real Macoy


ps. I agree that the KJ from early position was playable, given how wild and loose your table was playing. No absolutes with starting hands, just be sure to be starting with better hands than the loose maniacs / loose passives at your table.

pss
Dr. Al in 'Inside the Poker Mind' has some excellent strategy for dealing with maniacs.