Re: 99 hand early in tourney
I'd limp this pre-flop, and play for set value. Early in a tournament a raise like this won't chase out many donks (it's only t80, and I have over t1000!), and you'll end up creating a big pot, out of position, and screwed when the flop comes AT2.
As for the call, it's tough. Villain sounds like an idiot, to be sure, but even if he's a donk, you still have to win the hand. (It's not unlike players who the bizarre decision call what looks steal with garbage. Yes, he's probably doing this with a wide range of hands, but you still have to win the showdown.)
In this case the chances are that you are the happy side of a coinflip, but then there is the awkward possibility of TT-AA, none of which you can discount. (Playing with a maniac is like a box of chocolates. You never know what they're going to turn over.) The best way to stack these guys is with the monster pair (duh), or TPTK, as they don't know anything about kickers. In any case, I'd probably use up my time bank, throw up a little, fold, and wish I had called.
This may be one of those cases in which a good player recognizes an edge that I do not.
After thinking about it, I take it back. He could well be doing this with Ax, and drawing to three outs. Call.
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