This is a $0.50-$1.00 home game that runs every week. It has a cast of about 20 regulars to semi-regulars, and there is always at least one full table going, sometimes two for part of the night.

The game consists primarily of bad players that seem to have plenty of disposable income. There are some competent players and three or four that I would classify as "good."

All three players in this hand are white males in the 38-45 range.

Hero is one of the best players in the game. He is a solid, tight aggressive player with a strong understanding of the principles and theories of the game. The general perception of other players in the game tends to be that he is a nit.

Villain 1 has the chops to be one of the best players, but he just can't help himself. I rank his ability to read other players as the best in the game. However, rather than using this ability to make big folds and well-timed bluffs, he often thoughtlessly tosses chips in the pot chasing virtually hopeless "draws."

Villain 2 can get creative, but I do not consider him to be a good player. He's also a bit of a calling station.

The interesting part of this dynamic to me is that V1 seems to have a friendly rivalry with Hero that basically consists of refusing to lay a hand down and trying to beat him in every pot. It does seem to be a bit of a theme for the game in general, that people go out of their way to play against Hero, when they would be well-advised to stay away from him.

V2 has a touch of the same attitude, although to a much lesser extent.

Hero has $52.75. Both villains cover.

EP raises to 6.25, V1 calls, V2 calls, Hero raises to 26.25 on the button with KK, EP folds, V1 calls, V2 calls.
Flop (86.50): K-T-5, rainbow
V1 checks, V2 checks, Hero shoves 26.50, V1 calls, V2 calls.
Turn (166): Q
V1 checks, V2 shoves 30, V1 calls.
River (Main 166, Side 60): J

V1 shows A5o, V2 shows QT.

Obviously, this is absurd on so many levels, it's hard to even wrap your brain around it. The question is this:

What's the best way to deal with players that not only are calling stations but also seem to be out to get you at all costs?

The advice I gave to Hero is just to make ridiculous overbets for value against these guys. Perhaps he should tighten up his range a bit as well.

Is there more to it than that? Are there other ways to combat this somewhat bizarre dilemma?

Thanks for any input.

Note: The reason for the somewhat short stack is that the max buy-in starts off pretty low and then increases throughout the night. It's a dumb rule, but it's for the benefit of the owner, who doesn't like to play for much money and doesn't stay very late.

I will provide the answer to all you problems. The best player on the table should always have the most money on the table. Don't go back until you can have 200 BBs in front at all times

I didn't read the bottom of your post.. Find a new game... You bet like 25 all in .. Into 75... Villains are getting 4-1 .. This game is dumb .. Explain to owner how it should be 150.00 max buy in

where is your problem? they call 26BB with crappy hands and call your all in with (almost) nothing. just wait for hands and bet them strong. dont bluff!!!
i think your problem is that the best to style those villais is boring and you fold a lot of hands. if you want to play fancy you are in the wrong game.if you want to win money just continue to let them call you with crappy hands

There is no problem; just looking for the best way to combat this style of play.

That's basically what I said. It's straightforward when the pot is heads-up or 3-way against one or two of these "out to get you" guys...bet hard. However, I think it's probably a bit tricky to do that when you have other reasonable players involved in a pot.

Not really. Unless the other reasonable players are super good/aggressive, the presence of fish usually keep them extremely honest, because it makes them less likely to float/semi-bluff/bluff raise (because they don't have fold equity). You can basically use the fish as leverage.

Value bet, value bet, value bet with mid to strong ranges. Fold to aggression from the "reasonable" players, unless you have premium hands. Don't bluff. This is a really easy, yet boring, game to play.

Good points.