C
Cozmin
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Hello,
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do with them, just keep an eye on them and be patient, and they'll expose their game themselves and attack them at the right time if you can, they usually disqualify themselves pretty quickly.
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do with them, just keep an eye on them and be patient, and they'll expose their game themselves and attack them at the right time if you can, they usually disqualify themselves pretty quickly.
robertboz
Legend
Platinum Level
To deal with unpredictable poker players (the so-called "maniacs" or simply hard-to-read players), I have two key principle strategies: 1. Observe and classify their behavior.Note whether they are consistently aggressive or only in certain positions.Are they capable of folding ever? Or do they go all the way with anything?Do they play randomly or do they have a strategy? 2. React.Respond to their unpredictability with discipline. Choose strong hands preflop.If you have top pair with a good kicker or better, don't hesitate to get involved.Avoid bluffing – unpredictable players tend to call to the river with weak hands.
fernandovr
Visionary
Platinum Level
Facing unpredictable players is always a challenge. Sometimes they make such weird plays that it’s hard to fit them into any standard read. In those situations, I try to stay calm, focus more on my own cards and game plan, and worry less about trying to “understand” every crazy move they make.
renisundernet
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Unpredictable players may be also those who, at certain moments of clear decisions, may behave by something outside the range of "normal" sets of choices. Those can be drastic changes to decisions during certain hands, all ins out if nowhere (that may be professional play outs), or just folds at the right time...all looking very hard to deal with. But with more experience, certain unpredictable patterns may as well look fine plays.
s0ftdumps
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Unpredictable players should be exploitable. People play in predictable patterns and fall in player types for a reason ... because it's successful. The real threat are players that appear predictable and then change behaviour (or player type) randomly. This is very powerful when facing a familiar opponent over time.
anasslaaleg
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Poker isn't just a game of math, it's a game of behavior
You're 100% right, math tells us
- When it comes to observing first, reacting later, I avoid big showdowns until I've seen enough of their ten
- Widen value ranges, tighten bluffs
Against unpredictable players, I stick to strong hands and get maximum value from them rather than trying to overbluff
- Control pot size:
If I'm not sure, I hold the pot.
- Patience.
You're 100% right, math tells us
- When it comes to observing first, reacting later, I avoid big showdowns until I've seen enough of their ten
- Widen value ranges, tighten bluffs
Against unpredictable players, I stick to strong hands and get maximum value from them rather than trying to overbluff
- Control pot size:
If I'm not sure, I hold the pot.
- Patience.
Rldetheflop
Head Ranger
Platinum Level
As in all of poker situation is key. Early in the tournament, I'll play tight and hope to catch a good hand and make the unpredictable player don't chips off to me. Later in tournaments especially when I get short stacked I may widen my range some and try to get all in against the unpredictable player.
R.Holynskyi
Visionary
Platinum Level
I am cautious about unpredictable players. You could say I am afraid of them. I prefer to observe and note their actions until I understand how the player operates. Only then will I be ready to try to trap my opponent
Noodeloo
Enthusiast
Silver Level
People have very different tendencies pre and post flop - maniacs are trying to win the pot with 4x pre flop raises with garbage - are donking flops from the small blind with air - are jamming over your open to try and make you fold with any 2 off suited broadway. They make sticking to conventional plays hard so we must learn the appropriate counter measures . Every player has tendencies that can be exploited. WE have to learn on the go and keep adjusting where we can make profitable adjustments.
WhiskeyFix
Legend
Bronze Level
If you're folding hands against overly aggressive players, try to get information from how they play.Poker isn’t just a game of math—it’s a game of behaviour and actions...Am I right?!
What is your strategy for handling unpredictable poker players?
I'd just pay attention to what they're doing even when you're not in hands.
It's valuable information to know how much they're betting, sizing, timing matters. I
f they get to a showdown you're getting even more valuable information
Nits are pretty straight forward & easy to pick apart for the most part.
Use your HUDs (HM2, Pokertracker) to build up information as well if it's allowed.
Make use of the Cardschat Hand Replayer or Replay Poker Hand reviewer.
Lots of useful tools on Cardschat for studying Poker
Alex Houngan
Rock Star
Platinum Level
For me, it really depends on my mood. Sometimes I play very straightforward, other times I get creative and will call with a completely unpredictable hand just to throw someone off. If I’m playing after 3–4 beers, you might even see some wild hero calls. My style doesn’t follow one fixed line—it’s always different.
