The maniac can sometimes difficult to handle because you never know what he is going to do and playing back at him is certainly not the trick, unless you absolutely know what you’re doing. When you start playing back by re-raising you’re just allowing yourself into his area of expertise, playing with crap hands, and you probably will get smacked. Unless he’s a maniac-sucker, but you’ll find out soon enough.
Here’s a little tip on how to take on the maniac at the table: Call more.
The tactic of a maniac is all based on getting the other guy too scared to call so he can pick up all the small pots and get paid when he does hit his hand. When you start calling slightly more loose then you normally would his tactic becomes seriously undermined. Beware; I’m not suggesting you call all your chips away; I’m suggesting you call a few percent more. Let’s say around 15%. A little more calling will make sure you don’t automaticly lay down the best hand and it will make him less likely to bluff you.
Of course, there are more ways, and more sophisticated ways to tackle the maniac but this knowledge will do you enough for know. Go, and use it wisely.
