Battling Maniacs in MTT Poker

Introduction

• Aggressive players (Maniacs) can be challenging.
• This lecture helps understand strategies to counter aggressive Maniacs.

Characteristics of a Maniac

• Overly aggressive in all parts of the game.
• Bets too often and too big.
• Underfolds to opponent's aggression.
• Betting ranges are too merged (not clearly value or bluffs).

Strategy Assumptions

• Focus on adjustments in MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments) but applicable to cash games.
• Use GTO (Game Theory Optimal) principles but not relying on detailed Sims.
• Example: Steve (a typical Maniac) who plays very loosely and aggressively.

Pre-Flop Strategy

General Guidelines

• Use a heads-up approach to establish a framework.
• Adjustments are generally translative to ring or six-max environments.

Deep Stacked Adjustments

• From Out of Position vs. A Maniac:
  • Example situation: 200 big blinds deep.
  • If Steve opens 3bb on the button:
    • Wider and larger three-bet range (9-12 big blinds).
    • Against wide opening ranges, prefer smaller three-bet sizings.
    • If Steve never folds to three-bets, prefer larger three-bet sizing (e.g., 21 big blinds).

Adjusting to Steve’s Responses

• If Steve never folds to a three-bet:
  • Three-bet a linear range (high value).
  • Force Steve to flat or jam all-in.
• Against frequent 4-betting Maniacs:
  • Respond more with all-ins (especially if the frequency of 4-betting is high).
• Against a linear 4-bet range by Steve:
  • Tighten three-bet range and include more five-bet jams.
  • Call fewer and shove more against his linear aggression.

Impact of Folding Frequency

• As Steve folds more to three-bets:
  • Thin value three-bets lose some value but strengthen calling and folding approaches.
  • Calls and folds adjusted to Steve’s folding and betting continuation ranges.

Post-Flop Strategies: General Principles

• Adjust based on whether Steve bets every hand or is passive.
• Exploit the predictability and overly aggressive betting behavior.

Flop Adjustments Based on Stack Sizes

Deep Stack Scenarios (100 big blinds)

• Example Flop: OOP betting with a wide range.
• Implications:
  • Check to induce bluffs from Steve.
  • Adjust the bet sizes to exploit specific tendencies.
  • Check-raise with a wide range if Steve always bets when checked.

Shallow Stack Scenarios (50 big blinds)

• Example Flop:
  • Example from big blind against wide Steve opening range.
  • Pre-flop three-betting more polarized.
  • Use smaller leads and check-raises vs. Steve's aggression.
  • Bet large with strong holdings to extract value pre-river.

Tools and Techniques

• GTO Wizard AI: Useful for simulating approaches and adjustments.
• Node Locking: Effective for predicting Maniac responses and adjusting bet strategies dynamically.

Recap & Takeaways

1. Pre-Flop Adjustments: Maximize EV with larger, linear three-bets.
2. Post-Flop Adjustments: Check and induce bluffs, re-raise aggressively.
3. Adaptations Against Maniacs: Allow them to make mistakes; leverage consistency in their aggressive errors.
4. Special Cases: Deep vs. shallow strategies; adjustments required for each stage and position.
5. Practical Applications: Use software tools to solidify understanding and practice adaptations.

Conclusion

• Analyzing Steve’s play helps refine approaches against aggressive players.
• Focus on exploiting Maniac errors and maximizing EV (Expected Value).
• Join Discord for further questions and discussions.