I just started playing in a $1/2 NL home game which is the best game I have ever been invited to. The game plays very different from what I am used to and so far have adjusted by playing extra tight. I am normally a 15/12/4 player in FR games online, and probably play closer to 12/8-9/5 in this game.

There is a wealthy banker that makes this game great. He buys in for $2k and whenever someones stack gets close to his he adds $5k more and so on. Last week he lost $10k. The game is a Mississippi straddle game and after the banker is past his 5th beer (30 minutes in), he usually straddles $20-40 in any position. Maybe 25% of the players will take the straddle back on their button for $5-20. The same 25% of the players combat him with a very loose mixed aggro/passive style. This makes them very unpredictable as well, but they spew a lot in the process.

I try to get on his immediate left or a few to his left. My first question, is it more profitable to take my button back for $5 and act last preflop or let him straddle to $35 and just play my hand out of position preflop?

In general, what kind of ranges are we opening with in various positions?

Read the Driving Guide please.