This was only the 2nd hand at this table but I had notes on MP1 from previous encounters so knew him to be an aggressive maniac/Jackal who is sometimes very aggressive in steal attempts.

PokerStars 0.25/0.50 Hold'em (10 handed)
converter

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
3 folds, MP1 calls, 1 fold, Hero raises, 3 folds, BB calls, MP1 3-bets, Hero calls, BB calls.

After the Jackal limped in I opened as I usually do with facecards - with a raise to thin the field of moderate hands. When he re-raised I figured he was possibly setting up for a steal on the flop.

Flop: (9.40 SB) , , (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 bets, Hero raises, BB folds, MP1 3-bets, Hero caps, MP1 calls.

Almost predictably the Jackal leads out. I didn't want to start off at this table with a weak image or with this guy thinking he could push me around at will so with top pair and K kicker, I pushed back as hard as he was giving.

Turn: (8.70 BB) (2 players)
MP1 bets, Hero raises, MP1 3-bets, Hero calls.

On the turn I really expected him to check but no, he leads out again. Since he only has $0.80 left I raised him again and he goes all-in with the rest of him bankroll. Hmmm, now I'm wondering if I'm up against more than I first thought but I have to call regardless - I have an image to protect and second thoughts by this time would be pointless - he's all-in and can't cost me any more!

River: (13.90 BB) (2 players)

Final Pot: 13.90 BB

OK - wonderful. I get a miricle card on the river and have a full house Tens full of 7s. Don't know what I did wrong with the BBH converter but the Jackal actually did have a hand - pocket A-A! His limp-raise on pre-flop along with my notes on him had disguised his hand pretty well and he gets a bad beat on the river. So, I got lucky but the funny thing to me was any other player with no history or a history of being more typical or tighter would have had me playing this hand altogheter differently and it was his reputation that caused me to push back so hard. This guy's limp-raise did not make me suspect a big pocket pair as it might have for someone else - he could have about anything as my notes showed him raising with Q-9 suited from an early position before. By the time I clued in he was quite possibly stronger than my top pair, he had ran out of money - another lucky break for me! Although I believe I dodged a bullet this time, I also think the win had as much to do with playing the player and that this guy's rep lead to the bad beat as much as anything else - what do you think?

Originally Posted by Aces-o-8s

Although I believe I dodged a bullet this time, I also think the win had as much to do with playing the player and that this guy's rep lead to the bad beat as much as anything else - what do you think?

Since I'm not a limit player (and basically have no idea what I'm doing in limit), I'm not going to criticize the preflop raise with KT offsuit. I definitely hear you about not being pushed around. Against a maniac you have to be prepared to go to war on any hand, and your top pair T's with the K kicker isn't terrible, so I think you did the right thing.

I went to war with a maniac this morning in a NL SNG. Flopped the nuts - (6d,7d with the flop 3d,4h,5d) straight & gutshot SF Draw, made a big bet, he raised all in (which is exactly what I knew he'd do), I call and watch as he turns over K5 - for a friggin pair of 5's. Turn comes 3h, river comes 5s for a goddman full house and I take a really early exit.

Moral of the story is that maniacs, even played well, can seriously damage you in the short run. Just remember that even maniacs are entitled to a pair of Aces every now and then, and just get your money in with the best of it as much as possible.