[WiredPair]

I was playing live Friday night in Co. Went with a friend of mine who doesn't play much. Got to the casino and were told they were just opening a $3-$5 table. I made the mistake of assuming it was one $3 blind and then spread limit. Turns out it was a $3 and $5 blind and all bets were $5 on all streets. Enough of the setup.

Guy to my left was a complete and utter maniac. Raising the flop 50%-60% of the time. Saw him show down 67s in early position after he raised the pot. He was drawing and hitting absolutely everything. Probably got up 300-400 over an hour and a half. I tried to tighten way up, play only premium hands and punish him when I thought I had the best of it. Nothing seemed to work.

Finally, I rec'd KQs in middle-position and here is what happened:

EP limps, I call, maniac calls, LP player raises, button calls, BB calls, and EP calls the raise and so do I. Six to the flop. Flop comes: K 5 3 rainbow.

Checked to me and I check. I'm hoping I can check raise and knock out the maniac. He slows down somewhat usually after the flop. Checked to PF raiser who bets. Button calls, BB folds, EP calls and I check-raise. Maniac folds (woo-hoo!), better folds, button calls and EP calls, three of us left.

Turn is a 9.

Checked to me and I bet. Button calls, EP calls.

River is a K. Checked to me and I bet. Button calls and EP Calls.

I think I have the action right, but definitely close enough. I flip over my KQs and EP mucks. Button flips over AKs and takes it down. I say "nice hand" and he just scoops the pot.

I don't think I played this poorly, but I don't think he played it all that well. I think he missed some raises. On the other hand, with the non-threatening board, maybe he read me well and put me on KQ or QJ and thought he may lose one of us with a raise.

Anyway, after that hand, I called it a night down two racks. Wasn't too disappointed as I think I played pretty well overall, just didn't get many hands and couldn't switch seats to get better position on the maniac.

Thanks for reading!