theoretical question

Kinda of subject but isn't a maniac a nits fav opponent?

Originally Posted by littleogre

Kinda of subject but isn't a maniac a nits fav opponent?

Its not about who nits prefer to play against, its about how best to exploit an opponent. If you play a 5/4 style, you are, without a doubt, exploiting a manaic...that is true.

HOWEVER

just as we have +EV and ++++++++++EV we have exploitive and SUPER exploitive.

Lets illustrate. We are a 5/4 nit on the button facing a raise from a 60/30 in the co.

as a 5/4 nit, you are only playing {99-AA, AK, AQ}. So you look down and see AJ. Since you are a nit, and AJ isnt in that 5/4 range, you fold.

But wait!

equity win tie pots won pots tied
Hand 0: 58.428% 55.89% 02.53% 3881904372 175964082.00 { AJo }
Hand 1: 41.572% 39.04% 02.53% 2711272488 175964082.00 { 55+, A2s+, K5s+, Q7s+, J8s+, T8s+, 98s, A7o+, A5o, K9o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T9o }

So why are we folding AJ again? Clearly at least calling is +EV, so we are losing money when we fold because we arent exploiting this guy's 30%pfr properly.

What about hands like A9, JTs, 65s, 55? Almost every hand skyrockets in value when playing against someone that relentlessly puts money into the pot. We can set mine, we get implied odds for connectors, we have equity to call down with Axs, etc. Like, all of a sudden hands that were in no way shape or form playable have a positive expectation before considering implied odds!

So sure, the nits 99-AA, AK, AQ range does exploit the maniac, but he misses out on sooooo much value. Its like he was a kid in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, found a candy bar, ate the chocolate, but discarded the golden ticket. Why would you do that?

So lets talk about our range now. All of a sudden we have this guy where many many many hands have enough equity to call a raise, and many more have enough to 3bet. Is this not fantastic???