Frustrated by ATC palyers.

[Heath]

I’m not sure exactly how to get into this topic and clarify what I’m getting at, so excuse me if the wording is jumbled or comes across as a cluster of thoughts, but it’s been bothering me for a while now and I’m wondering if anyone has any words of advise on how to deal with these guys. Or any further insight as to why some players take the route they do. What do the pros do here? BTW – I’m primarily a 1/2NL player but I doubt this sort of thing is exclusive to a 1/2 table.

It’s not uncommon to run into a player at a table that sees a flop with whatever they are dealt. And not just seeing a flop, but frequently raising preflop with anything or calling big raises with anything. Suited or not. Hands like 8/3, J/4, 10/5, etc… Not connected, often unsuited, no real value to playing. Which I recognize makes them a particularly dangerous player as they bet the same whether they have garbage or a real hand (Tom Dwan comes to mind). Their range is literally any two cards. Several times I’ve encountered players with that approach and often they end up raking the table. I honestly wish I had kept a count of how many times I have seen these guys take down a pot because they hit two pair on the flop and it holds up against pocket JJ or better. Guys that catch a flush when you have a set of kings, or river a boat after you turn an ace high flush because the nonsense hand they opted to play turned into a winner.

How do you deal with ATC players? I’ve contemplated several scenarios such as only going against them with pocket pairs, trying to show up with a bigger bankroll than them, constantly studying them to pickup tells, etc. Not getting involved in a hand with them isn’t really an option, but I will admit I am much more likely to see a flop if they have randomly opted to fold before the action gets to me.

I hope this makes sense and doesn’t just come across as a rambling rant. Thanks for reading.

[cykotic]

I’ve found sometimes those type of players respond to aggression. Just as long as you don’t do it all the time. Like Jonathan Little says, maniacs know they are maniacs, so if another player bets aggressively at them, well they must be crazy too.

If you pick your spots correctly and win a couple pots this way, he will start to play you a lot more straight up when you are in a hand with him.

[Erika]

Firstly identify the type of player, because you won’t find many Tom Dwan’s at 1/2, but that doesn’t mean everyones a fish either.

Are they always seeing a flop no matter what the price?

Are they willing to pay huge bets pre, with a wide range of holdings, hoping to flop big and or bluff you off your percieved range post often enough for it to be +EV for them?

Are they looking at implied odds and making loose calls pre to stack people?

I’d say live players are far far far less nuanced than online players, even online recreational players. You can raise very big even half someones stack pre and people will call with dominated hands OOP, or call trying to hit a set despite the SPR only being 2 on the flop.

I would focus on identifying the mistakes each player is making and come up with a strategy to beat them that works for you.

[Steven Young]

You just have to play your strong hands against them. 3b with your strong hands. And play tight aggressive. Sometimes you will get outdrawn. But over the course of time your good hands will crush his crappy hands.

[Author]

Posts