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July 17, 2012
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Playing where I play, in the micros and low stakes, with shots in the middle stakes, I seems to run into a lot of really agro, but bad players. They can pin you down because they call every raise and seem to always hit thier cards, no matter how trashy they are. I had JJ cracked (twice), QQ, KK and finally AA cracked by 10-7 suited yesterday (He called a 4 bet shove with practically no table image on me after he made a HUGE 3bet. Hit a 10 on the turn and a 7 on the river …. grrrrr!). Most of these weren't people calling or making shoves when short stacked. They were almost all hands that happened early when the blinds were low and no one was really in trouble (Except me afterwards).
Is there a strategy for dealing with these agro donks, or do we just chalk it up to varience and play our game? Sometimes, it seems like you can tighten up and play a bit passively against them and cage them, but sometimes this doesn't even work.
I just tried to laugh it off, but after the 3rd or 4th time it happened, it got a bit frustrating. I guess I should be thankful when I run into these idiots and stack them, which is more typical than my day yesterday.
What is your strategy against these types of players?
July 12, 2012
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I have the exact same frustration. I think there's a lot more of that type of play at the micro level because they're looking for quick double ups and it's only $1-$5. They aren't looking to play well, they're hoping to hit the lottery. My strategy is to play tight for the first few levels to weed out the whackos. I play premium hands and don't give them credit for anything and hope they chase straights and flushes. I know the math is on my side and sometimes they get lucky. That being said I've quit playing the super micro games on Lock. It might as well be free and the reward isn't worth sacrificing my game.
It's even more tilting in live games even for a $65-$100 buy-in for the same reasons. I made a raise from the button with AKs. Sure, it looks like a button raise and I got called by 65s and he rivered a flush. But I made the mistake of falling in love with my AK and not paying attention to the board when I bet the turn. He shoved on the river and I snap called and I looked like (and was) the donk. Now that I've had time to think about the hand again I can see and hopefully learn from my mistakes.
"…if he fails, he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."-Teddy Roosevelt
May 30, 2012
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exploit the hell out of them, i personally love it when someone get a massive stack in dead or really far behind.
but basically the same strategy for playing against anyone, estimate their range and tendencies and adjust to best exploit them.
someone doesnt like to fold? widen your value range and remove your bluff range.
someone calls too much on the flop and will fold alot of turns, double barrel the hell out of him.
pretty simple examples but you get the idea. the more face up your opponent is the easier it is to play him.
June 2, 2012
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Biggest thing to remember is that they are not thinking on your level. Never try to outthink a donkey… theres simply no need to.
May 30, 2012
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Absolutely agree. You need to take a breath and don't let your EGO take over when a donk gets you. Take a second and relax. Just wait and you'll get him/her back in a big way. Bad players can't help themselves. They are going to SPEW their chips away at some point. Just like Duggs & JLude said, never try to outthink a donk and play more str8 forward vs them. Widen ur range, but play most str8, they are calling stations and will not give up Top Pair weak kicker…….among other tricky hands you can get value out of vs them.
October 6, 2010
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Agree with the others – you can basically play your hand face up because they aren’t going to pick up on it, so go for max value when you have it.
Definitely also agree with widening your value range and cutting out most bluffs. It becomes a lot more boring to play so if you have to take headphones or whatever then so be it
May 30, 2012
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well said guys
dont try to out think a donkey and play level 2 poker, never any higher
July 31, 2012
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This may not be e best way to avoid them, but I stay away as much as possible from Rebuy Tourns since they 3-4 bet or insta-shove because at hey can get back in with .5-.50 cents! Not much to lose…a good stack to gain for these donks….4whatitsworth…B
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