I've been playing poker for about 3 years, but only become competitive the past year or so. Before that, I just played home games(44, Wings, Cross,..etc.).

Anyways, last night, I played some hold em' at a friends house with just a $10 buy-in cash game(rebuys allowed, obviously). We have 10 people at the table, and we had two bulls sitting next to each other who raised every other pot. The rest of the players really don't know what they're doing, but I can't isolate them b/c these bulls raise every pot i'm in. One of the bulls is up huge(has atleast $80...won an all-in with 6-9 suited, and bluffed atleast 5 huge pots), and I haven't seen him fold yet preflop. How should you handle these guys?

I waited for a top-5 hand all night(never saw one). Is it just a bad luck night, or should I play these guys different? I know it sounds like a beginner question but it just doesn't make sense b/c both of these guys win every time I've seen them play, and they just push, push, push, and seem to ALWAYS outdraw people.

So, I only lost $13, and with about 150 hands played, I only won 3 pots, and stole 4 blinds. Not bad, but I feel like I'm a much better player than both of them.

This is just my 2c, wait for some other responses.


These guys are going to force you to gamble, but no need to force it, wait for a good hand AQ+ and TT+

They actually came late, and took the only seats available, but thanks for the advice, I hadn't thought of that.

And by the term bull I mean, someone who just continues to push, even if they've lost most of their money. And you can't put them on tilt b/c they're always on tilt, and you can't read them b/c they always think they have a good hand, and you can NEVER limp into the pot, which makes you become very conservative very quick. So yes, Loose Aggresive .

Originally Posted by bonchkid

dont let it

I wish it was that easy, but I'm not going to call $3 with a QJ, QT, K9, when 3-4 people have already called, and thats the situation I was in all night.

this was a ring game, not a tournament right?

If it was a ring, I don't think there is a reason to take many chances, even maniacs get AA. Just sit back and wait for a chance to double up.

If it was a tournament with escalating blinds you gotta get in there and get your share from them.

Reraise them with any medium pair and any ace. A weak hand like A10 is actually a monster vs these guys. If a guy raises $3 and everyone calls, just pushin allin and steal the pot. If someone calls, it's likely one of the bulls and you have a better hand most often(even KJ is a huge favorite vs a random hand).

Thats my opinion anyway