How should I play against this type of player.

I have been running into several similar players lately and I was looking for some advice.

They stats are 40+/15+/6+

I will take a seat with position on them, if I cannot, then I will switch tables.

Here is a sample hand (Noble does not have hand histories), Villian is the player I am talking about. I will show the hole cards from the start.

NL (0.5/1):

Hero (SB) ($99)
BB ($18)
UTG ($44)
UTG+1 ($114)
UTG+2 ($76)
MP ($97)
MP+1 ($19)
Villain ($95)
Button ($124)

UTG: Fold
UTG+1: Fold
UTG+2: Call $1
MP: :Js: :Qc: Call $1
MP+1: Fold
Villain: :Jh: :8h: Raise $5
Button: Fold
Hero (SB): :Ac: :9h: Fold
BB: Fold
UTG+2: Call $4
MP: Call $4

Flop: :Td: :Qd: :5d:

UTG+2: Check
MP: Bet $3
Villian: Raise $11
UTG+2: Fold
MP: Call $8

Turn: :6h:

MP: Check
Villian: Check

River: :2c:

MP: Check
Villian: Bet $15
MP: Call $15

and the MP takes it with a pair of queens, villian has nothing but an inside straight draw on a board that flopped 3 to a suit that he does not have.

Granted, he lost this one; but he might just as well have flipped up AA, KK, AQ or the flush as he will raise anything.

These players always seem to eventually lose their stack, in some catastrophic bad call. But, on their way to doing that, they drastically rearrange the stacks; beating premium hands with crap only to lose it to someone else. Or, you can take my approach and start to fold everything until you get a premium pre-flop that you can re-raise.

How should I play against these types of players?

I would slowplay against them, let them dig their own grave.

i think i am that type of player.

or i should say, i was that type of player and realized its a losing strategy until i fix some leaks.

i think there are 2 basic approaches.

-reraise everytime preflop you think you are ahead of their range (which is huge), c bet every flop and occasionnaly trap when u hit big. This is usually confusing for maniacal players as they are used to being the aggressor. This is the toughest approach since if they catch on they might be coming over the top and u might have to make tough calls for your stack with hands like AJs or AQ (prob +ev if they are aware maniacs)

or

-do a lot of calling with say 2nd pair or better, sometimes even a pp which beats 3rd button. In the long run this approach will allow these players to hang themselves. It is tough as well though since by playing passively you will allow them to put you to tough decisions.

I prefer the 1st approach which takes a significant amount of "big pot" skill but puts the maniacs to the tough decisions rather than you.

Your waiting on premium hands approach is fine as well though. At a full ring table it won't cost you to fold a lot. At 6 max, however, the maniacs will inevtibly expoit your tightness (unless they are total donks who will stack off extremely easily).

Playing against ppl like this is what makes poker fun. It's tough but extremely stimulating.