LAG Maniacs

[iluzion]

I have a problem in every form of poker with LAG maniacs. Now Im not talking the typical PT auto-rate LAG, I am talking the full out nutso raise EVERYTHING, especially when checked to, kinda guys. With tournies, I usually stay out of there way, they dont seem to last too long usually. With fixed limit I let them bet out and pick up the average pot when I have it, if not I dont lose much. But with NL I don't know how to react, cold calling will only make them likly to continue betting, raising more likely for them to push over, because they certainly arnt folding, even if they dont have anything. What is the best way to deal with these kinda guys, when you have a mediocre, but not pure nuts, hand, or a drawing hand.

[bholdr]

the answers to your problems are contained within your post:

"cold calling will only make them likly to continue betting,"
so cold call when you want them to bet
"raising more likely for them to push over"
raise when you want them to push
"because they certainly arnt folding, even if they dont have anything."
bet when you have a hand, fold when you don't.

marginal hands go up in value, since mainiacs will, on avarage, be playing more (that is, weaker) hands. Drawing hands go up in value, if you're getting proper odds to draw, since the implied odds are higher than against a non-mainiac. semi-bluffing and bluffing lose value, since they'll call.

If a player is a true mainiac, then why not just wait for the nuts? as long as they don't figure out what you're doing, you'll break 'em eventually. learn to play against mainiacs, they are very profitable opponents. (although, if you are at a table with a mainiac with a huge stack, leaving is usually your best option)

[iluzion]

my bigger problem is a table full of maniacs.

[bholdr]

which table? where? tell me! (just kidding. study some more TOP and learn how to beat mainiacs and your problem will become your favroite snack)

[iluzion]

its the .05/.10NL tables on pokerstars

[TheWorstPlayer]

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(although, if you are at a table with a mainiac with a huge stack, leaving is usually your best option)

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Yeah I hate doubling up repeatedly also.

[JoeTable]

How do drawing hands go up in value against a maniac?

[transient]

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How do drawing hands go up in value against a maniac?

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When you make your draw, you can take their whole stack.

[JoeTable]

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How do drawing hands go up in value against a maniac?

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When you make your draw, you can take their whole stack.

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Obviously, except that against a LAG you're very rarely going to get proper odds to complete your draws. Or is this not a concern to anyone?

[TheWorstPlayer]

Implied odds go up, but you often don't even have the implied odds to draw because they often bet a lot (overbet the pot). Made hands go up a lot in value because you can take their stack simply by checking to them.