QQ vs Maniac

[PaultheS]

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
<font color="666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="CC3333">Hero raises</font>, <font color="666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="CC3333">MP3 3-bets</font>, <font color="666666">4 folds</font>, <font color="CC3333">Hero caps</font>, MP3 calls.

Flop: (9.50 SB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(2 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">Hero bets</font>, <font color="CC3333">MP3 raises</font>, Hero calls.

Turn: (6.75 BB) 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="CC3333">MP3 bets</font>, Hero calls.

River: (8.75 BB) 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="blue">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="CC3333">MP3 bets</font>, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.75 BB
<font color="green">Main Pot: 10.75 BB, between MP3 and Hero.</font>

MP3 here is a total maniac, 97% VP$IP/39% PFR and even crazier after the flop. I have seen him drop his act on occasion (ie, bet, raise, reraise, fold).

Is this line the best way to win the most when ahead and lose least when behind? Clearly I can't fold against this guy, but can anyone else find the strength to push harder?

[Nick C]

Many of the maniacs I've encountered love ace-rag. (But, given his stats, your opponent's raising hands often don't include an ace.) You said this one will sometimes give up when hopelessly behind. So after calling his flop raise (I don't want to 3-bet, because, given your description, he might ditch his hand if he's way behind), I might bet out the turn and let him raise me again and then call down like you did. I figure I don't know where I stand, and I might as well let him keep bluffing, if that's what he's doing.

[StellarWind]

Based on your description I might bet-call each street.

The biggest mistake on this hand came much earlier. You shouldn't be sitting two seats in front of him. Not only is it good to have position in heads up conflicts like this one, sitting behind him lets you limp your raise-phobic drawing hands the 60% of the time he doesn't raise preflop.

This is online. You have nearly unlimited choice of games and seats. Take advantage.

[Fat Nicky]

If he is as maniacal as you say, I'd lead either the turn or river and call any sort of raise. Maybe i'd even lead on both streets.