kingkong
07-23-2009, 12:25 PM
If there's one kind of player I can never seem to get a handle on, it's the trained monkey. I'm sure everyone's run into this guy playing limit (always limit) hold'em, typically low limits. Plays anywhere from 50 to 90% of flops, fears no raise preflop, hates to see a round go by without a bet and will call down with anything resembeling a hand. The frustrating thing is seeing his K5o catch a straight against your AQ after flopping two pair.
I think I'm starting to get an idea of how to play these guys, but I'm wondering if anyone else has any suggestions.
My thoughts:
Tightening up to avoid getting burned seems like the exact wrong strategy, since he's going in with so many bad hands. Now that I should go in with crap, but that I'm more likely to be beating him if I have anything good. But stuff like AQo, KTs, etc becomes less valuable than it would normally, and lower suited connectors and pairs start to become more attractive. Position here is paramount, as you really don't want to be behind the guy betting randomly. Bluffing also seems like the wrong move in most occassions, since he's probably going to call down with his one pair against your busted flush and straight draw.
Am I on the right track with this thinking at all?
I think I'm starting to get an idea of how to play these guys, but I'm wondering if anyone else has any suggestions.
My thoughts:
Tightening up to avoid getting burned seems like the exact wrong strategy, since he's going in with so many bad hands. Now that I should go in with crap, but that I'm more likely to be beating him if I have anything good. But stuff like AQo, KTs, etc becomes less valuable than it would normally, and lower suited connectors and pairs start to become more attractive. Position here is paramount, as you really don't want to be behind the guy betting randomly. Bluffing also seems like the wrong move in most occassions, since he's probably going to call down with his one pair against your busted flush and straight draw.
Am I on the right track with this thinking at all?