Poker experts created many perfect books. Amateurs use such books to learn about poker and improve their skills. The books are very useful but unfortunately they do not reflect all aspects of the game. For example, there is a lack of information about playing against an opponent who can be called “a maniac”. Texas Holdem players face maniacs rarely. Of course, most players try to follow basic rules of the game and it is possible to analyze their actions. But a game with a maniac can be really painful. You can just lose a lot of money getting confused all the time because of your opponent. Therefore it is very important to know how to resist such illogical rival.

It is not so easy to define a maniac. You should not mix up a maniac with an adequate aggressive style player. If an aggressive player is having lucky evening with good cards he looks like a maniac because he raises all the time. Another typical mistake is to mix up a maniac with an adequate player who is trying to use his advantage in size of a stake. Such players try to put pressure on their careful opponents but it is a part of Texas Holdem strategy. So, as I said, it is important to define your opponent first of all.

How can you define a maniac? Well, a maniac acts without a reason. He makes illogical decisions and he does not depend on his cards, cards on the table or his opponent’s actions. A maniac is logical only in one desire to play all hands and put pressure on opponents placing chaotic bets.

Many people think that it is not a difficult task to beat a maniac. They say if he does not follow basic rules of the game he does not have chances to win. But it is a delusion. Amateurs who never faced poker maniacs before loose their stake pretty fast and they just start to blame the luck. It sounds strange, but a maniac has got a big advantage. His playing style cannot be read and analyzed and this fact makes it difficult to play Texas Holdem against him. It is very difficult to measure chances to beat maniac in a concrete hand.

When you play against a maniac it is very important to stay calm. Many amateurs start to loose confidence and it leads to a nervous atmosphere; they just can not concentrate on the game. And it would give an extra benefit to a maniac.

If you are sure that you are facing a maniac, remember several rules:

•  A maniac uses “No-Logic” style

•  It is almost impossible to prognosticate his cards

•  A maniac’s main purpose is to play and raise as many times as possible forcing his opponent to fold. A maniac does not tend to play off hands.

Remembering these simple things you should understand that standard poker rules are not effective if you play Texas Holdem against a maniac. He is not going to fold therefore you should not rely on bluff. You should also understand that your pocket cards do not guarantee a win. Flop, river and turn can completely change situation. Therefore it is extremely dangerous to play against a maniac hoping for help from flop. The same statement can be applied to flush draw. A maniac would not fold anyway!

As I said, a maniac plays with any cards. Therefore top pair does not guarantee win either. It is possible that your opponent will beat you with two pairs. He might start to play with weak cards like 3-8. And flop, turn or river would make him a winner. In this case you would just have to guess why your opponent called or raised before flop having such crappy cards and you could not win with A-K. The answer is simple – he is a maniac! No logical actions!

So, how to outclass a maniac? As I said, stay cool, be confident and wait for your chance. You might fold many times loosing a big part of your stake. But you will easily compensate your expenditures as soon as you have very strong cards. Therefore the main advice for a Texas Holdem player who faces a maniac is to be careful making a decision to call or not. So, touch and go with very strong cards, do not get nervous folding. You will definitely compensate everything and make your opponent pay several times more than you did. Do not try to play out every single hand, thing about the quality, not about the quantity and you will eliminate a maniac shoveling up his stake.

Also recommended:

1. Your public image at the poker table 1: introduction
2. How to select a suitable Texas Holdem game
3. How to use “monster cards” in Texas Holdem
4. Improving your Texas Holdem game
5. DO NOTS of Texas Holdem tournaments: part 1