AA against a maniac and an unknown in a big pot

cab4656 · #1 07-23-2005, 06:56 PM

MP2 is a maniac. He is like 60/25 preflop and very aggressive postflop. He uses raises and check-raises and I strongly suspect he has pushed me out of at least one heads up pot with a worse hand.

My turn decision really had me puzzled. It seems like SB also has an overpair, but the maniac could have lots of things. I'm thinking it might have been better to coldcall here, in case the maniac has me beat and since I have very little to gain by making SB fold.

Party Poker 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is CO with A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP2 raises, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, 1 fold, SB caps, 1 fold, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (14 SB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (3 players)
SB bets, MP2 calls, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, MP2 caps, Hero calls, SB calls.

Turn: (13 BB) 2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (3 players)
SB bets, MP2 raises, Hero 3-bets, SB calls, MP2 caps, Hero calls, SB calls.

River: (25 BB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (3 players)
SB checks, MP2 bets, Hero calls, SB calls.

Final Pot: 28 BB

Moozh · #2 07-23-2005, 07:35 PM

When you get aces vs. a maniac, buckle up and prepare yourself for a wild ride.

I would have played it the same. MP's turn raise is worrysome, but it could also be one last isolation attempt. Once he caps, call down.

TiltsMcFabulous · #3 07-23-2005, 09:28 PM

Call down from the turn on. I would actually briefly consider folding the river unimproved, but would almost certainly call a single bet.

It looks like your maniac woke up with a big hand. He's in against two players who have represented big pairs and who obviously aren't going to go away, so there is a very small chance he is bluffing. SB obviously loves his hand as well. What are you doing raising the turn when both of your opponents are screaming that they can likely beat your big pair? Maniacs make trips and two pairs just like everyone else does.

~ Tilts

Redd · #4 07-23-2005, 09:47 PM

I'd play it the same way.

Spartan1983 · #5 07-23-2005, 10:50 PM

With 2 opponents I know you fear the worse, but I think you played it fine.

Cumulonimbus · #6 07-24-2005, 02:21 AM

I doubt a real big hand. I smell anything from KK, QQ, JJ because maniacs grow crazy with overpairs. Maybe even AKs because "it looks pretty." Maybe even ATs. I don't see a fold here.

cmwck · #7 07-24-2005, 02:36 AM

I was going to say fold the turn, but then realised this guy is a maniac. I think either 3-betting the turn or just cold-calling are fine.

cab4656 · #8 07-24-2005, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Results:
SB had KK
MP2 had 99 - HHIG

I think I should have cold called on the turn and called down from there. MP2's call and reraise on the flop should have seemed suspicious. I would have been in a real tough spot if SB 3bet the turn, though. MP2 would have capped and I would probably be forced to call and then call one bet on the river.