So how should you play against these people? Well, for starters, you should always try to sit to their immediate left. This way, you could always see what they do before you act. This simple thing can save you a ton of bets over the course of a game. Next, I suggest a lot of trapping and slowplaying, but only in heads up situations where the dangers of giving free cards are minimal. Then, just wait until they hang themselves.

I’ll give you an example. I was playing in a $2-$5 no limit game at my local card room. I looked down to find pocket aces on the button. The maniac at our table had been out of line all day long and finally I knew this would be my chance. He raises to $45 and its folded around to me. I just smooth call. We take the flop heads up and it’s a beauty, A-5-2 rainbow and I flopped top set. He bets $60 and I just call. The turn is the 7 of spades and he bets $100. I quickly go all in for 300. He grumbles and reluctantly calls. The river is a 9 and he starts jumping up and down. The nutjob had 6-8 off and hit runner runner for a straight on me. I outsmarted myself. I put myself in a position to win a monster pot but ended up letting him get there.

See I told you maniacs could be dangerous…

Till next time, may the chips fall your way.