How do I take out the "trash"

I need advice on how to crack a certain playing style. One member of our regular game rakes in cash with a contrarian style of play. He raises pre-flop with trash to drive out all the small hands. That puts him head to head with 2-3 players with decent or good starting hands. When the flop hits trash (a lot of the time), he either takes the lead or is in position to improve his small pairs or straight draw against big hands that don't hit the flop. You can't reraise him out pre-flop because he puts you on a good starting hand and his intent is to play trash anyway. After a flop of trash, I cant raise him out because he knows I didnt improve and he likely did. The only scenario that works is to play strong hands and hope to make it stronger on the flop. My only other option is to call his pre-flop raises with trash of my own to try and beat him at his own game but that seems like a losing strategy in the long run. Any suggestions?

When you got good hand reraise or push him all in. but watch out other player may have better hand.

I don't see a problem.

1) When you both hit, you win.
2) You should have all small pairs in your range. Stack him with sets a few times.

Just shove if you two are the only ones in preflop. That completely kills his strategy because he won't be able to maneuver the flop and will be forced to put his chips in as a huge underdog.

Also, just because you didn't hit the flop with a hand like AQ doesn't mean he did. He's probably bluffing a large percentage of the time because he can range you easily. Don't be afraid to raise or reraise him postflop with Ace high.

You can't take out that trash. Abandon all hope!

Peculiar thing in poker is that an experienced loose aggressive (LAG) player can look like a total noob to the game. In the case you describe I would tend to put him in the experienced group, not a noob. Sort of makes him the shark and he see's you as the fish.

The only accepted generalized theory about how to deal with these folks is to play tight enough to trap him when you hit the big hands.

The alternative is for you to loosen up a lot and play trashy hands looking for magic to happen. This can get very expensive! But, in the overall, long term picture of you as a poker player, you sort of need to know how to play a loose game when the situation calls for it.

Yup, what dj says is pretty much what i was thinking having read the OP that sounds like you are playing an exp LAG and obv the style works well for him among the group.

Heads up shove it all.

I had a similar problem last night at our game. This guy was calling nearly every pre raise pre flop. I think this guy was more of a calling station. Twice I came up with good hands on the button and 3 bet. He called both times out of the small blind. One hand I was dealt AKs the flop came A5T, i bet he calls, turn was a blank i bet he called, same thing on the river and he shows down T5o. Then the other hand was a similar situation. I was short stacked 3 bet preflop to like 24$ and he called. had him on the flop and shoved. he showed Qc7c with 2 clubs on board and hit his flush. Frustrating to say the least. Next time I see him and I'm in a similar position I think my best bet is to shove pre flop. any thoughts?

One of the reasons that online poker is so popular is that the truer students of the game can learn how discretion can be beneficial. Mostly within a short time noobs learn discretion, and stop playing what you consider junk.

Live, on the other hand, is different. While there are regs who will play discrete, many are casual players. Their motto is 'I didn't come to fold'! They are looking to get lucky, pure and simple, and they plan on having fun doing that.

Sounds like a home game? I only play online but surely playing decent starting hands is the way forward. I would just tighten up against someone playing really loose and hope I get an opportunity to capitalise on their mistakes. I don't like the idea of playing trash just because he is.

Kashtree said:

I had a similar problem last night at our game. This guy was calling nearly every pre raise pre flop. I think this guy was more of a calling station. Twice I came up with good hands on the button and 3 bet. He called both times out of the small blind. One hand I was dealt AKs the flop came A5T, i bet he calls, turn was a blank i bet he called, same thing on the river and he shows down T5o. Then the other hand was a similar situation. I was short stacked 3 bet preflop to like 24$ and he called. had him on the flop and shoved. he showed Qc7c with 2 clubs on board and hit his flush. Frustrating to say the least. Next time I see him and I'm in a similar position I think my best bet is to shove pre flop. any thoughts?

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Someone already suggested shoving. I don't completely like the idea though. Maybe it'll work if it's down to the two of you but just because he plays a lot of trash doesn't mean he won't play AA. On top of that, you're probably not gonna be heads up with him. There's gonna be other players. If he sees you open shoving a lot, he'll just keep playing the same, you'll keep open shoving, he'll keep folding, and one day he'll call with high pockets destacking you.

You said you 3 bet to 24$ right? What are the blinds at, what are the stack sizes at, and what is his standard preflop bet size? Also, does he always call 3 bets? Does he raise em only if he's got something good?

just play strong ranges vs everyone and adjust them slightly for tighter/looser people.

BanzaiBob said:

He raises pre-flop with trash to drive out all the small hands. That puts him head to head with 2-3 players with decent or good starting hands. When the flop hits trash (a lot of the time)

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Not true, but anyways, as has been said, play a stronger range and value bet well and you'll come out ahead.

OR, do that AND also put pressure on his weak range... but that might be a bit too dicey for you by the sounds of it.

If you are playing a tighter range the variance will catch up to him over the long haul. He may get away with that style in the short term (one night) but it can't hold up. Good Luck and take him down.

GOIVIT

" If you are playing a tighter range the variance will catch up to him over the long haul. He may get away with that style in the short term (one night) but it can't hold up. Good Luck and take him down. "

Exactly this mate ... variance and karma will take its toll on trash players in the long run.

Three ways to play a player like this. First tighten your range up and 3-4 bet preflop and put pressure on him and try to play heads up! Second limp with strong hand and try to trap on post flop play. Third is to open your range up and play loose, most players have a hard time doing this versus a loose player But, it puts him into a defensive stance and now he questions everything you have in your hand.

Having a loose image can be a huge advantage in a game , b\c they think you are playing crap. So when you get a hand you get paid off. Hard to make money in live games being the Nit, unless you catch cards.