[Felipe]

:Blindpost:

I stopped reading here:
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I know the maniac is going to bet out, and I'm in a bad position, so my intentions are to call down. 1) The pot is so big, 2)I don't see any reason to raise. If I get reraised I'm probably beat, and raising certainly 3)won't make anyone fold at this point. 4)I call and hope for the best.

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1. the pot is big --- this is why you must play aggressively. Throwing in another big bet or 2 or three to save a large pot is WORTH IT! -a la SSH

2.Reason to raise is to protect your hand JUST LIKE YOU DID ON THE FLOP (which was very good). You are forgetting the board has staright AND flush draws. You see no reason to protect your hand? You only have a pair! It needs protecting! And you have a good suspicion that maniac will bet the turn. You have good relative position in this hand! Do not miss a protection opportunity to save a few bets! PROTECT your equity!

3. You don't care if they fold. You care if they make a mistake. If they call without the odds, they are making a mistake. If they fold, they are NOT making a mistake. You want them to call when you raise and make him call 2 (or 3) cold on the turn.

4. Don't hope. Instead play well. Play tight. Protect your hands. Harness your reads of other players. Discuss strategy. The rest takes care of itself. Cards don't care what you wish for. Neither do your opponents.