The Course told me to try opening 22+ from all positions so here we go.

Hero ($450), early 30s white guy. My image is super nitty because there's a big maniac with a deep stack at the table (he's on BTN but folds this hand). He opens wide fir 8x big blinds but doesn't 3bet much. I've been playing super tight then making massive three bets that he's called them folded flops too.

Villain ($350) late 20s early 30s white guy. Showed up from another table a couple hours ago with $120. Played a tight aggro short stack game which worked well against the maniac. He has been 3-betting light, making big flop and turn bets with strong hands and built up from there. Saw him cold-call then 4bet all in with 88 multiway when he had $130ish, he tripled up. Post flop he hasn't been shy when he has it, and I saw him triple barrel overs once.

OTTH. Comments welcome on all streets, I'm inexperienced with NL

Preflop:
Hero opens to $12 red 22 UTG+1
Villain cold calls UTG+2
All else fold

Flop ($28):
4h4d5d
Hero bets $15
Villain calls

Turn ($58):
6h
Hero bets $45 (should've sized down I think, my aim was to fold out )
Villain pause calls

River ($148):
8c
Hero checks
Villain bets $45
Hero tanks

He has no problem three betting with good pocket pairs and big Aces. So preflop once he cold calls I put him on middling pocket pairs and AX below AQ, maybe KQs/o.

I think this flop is the best flop I could get without a 2. When I bet some overs might peel and some pocket pairs may fold or peel then fold to later pressure. Turn I'm thinking same thing. He's been aggro postflop when he gets a piece so he is not slow playing a boat, I'm definitely folding to a raise.

River I'm thinking either 77 or 88 obviously won't fold now and 99-TT are going the distance at this point. I check expecting to see a big bet I can fold to or I get checked back on and lose. The small bet surprises me, now I'm wondering how much of his range are missed Ax, maybe hearts or diamonds whiff. Lots of people tell me that small river bets are typically thin value, but I have a really hard time imagining this guy trying to squeeze value out of A8dd after the action, he'd check back with a sigh of relief.

get your money back

abandon ship post

I think this comment from the Amazon review list is relevent: I believe that Ed Miller probably is about breakeven with raising 22 in EP. However, he also has signficant post flop skills, going along with the recognition he gets when he plays as a noted poker authority. People play him differently than they play us mere mortals.

This flop is actually terrible for 22. All overpairs other than 33 are going to call you. The reason is that everyone puts you on AK when you raise. The flop missed you completely in that regard. The ideal flop is Kxx. In the villain's mind, you have TPTK. He might stick around for the turn, but is folding then unless he hits his 2 outer.

Can't figure out spoilers in Tapatalk oh well

I call and he shows ATdd. I take down pot. After telling my friends this story they berate me for opening 22 UTG so I took this to the forum to see other thoughts.

Trying not to be results oriented, but villain had exactly the kind of hand I thought he did.

There’s an old saying on Wall Street :” the best thing that can happen to a new options trader is that he loses money”. Presumably this discouraged novice will forswear trading option forever, saving himself a lifetime of despair. I suppose the same thing could be said for opening 22 early.

But I’m still glad you won!

Best roast so far.