Understanding the different player types is the key to making serious money playing poker, but there is one type of player who will DOUBLE your stack or could send you packing…its up to you.

Maniacs are the most feared and volatile players in Texas Hold‚Äôem. These players can steal your blinds all night long without being challenged, but once you decide to make a stand they will reveal their monster hand. That is, unless you know how to play “maniacs” properly.

The reason that maniacs are so dangerous is that they wear down the logical thinking process of other players. Even experienced players get frustrated by the maniac’s style and make moves they regret later.

A maniac will bet wildly for so many hands that eventually players will call them even when they don’t have good cards. Maniacs are also so unpredictable that it is almost impossible to get a good read on them. Since they are so tough to get a read on, it is very difficult to judge if they have a good hand or if they are just trying to buy the pot.

While a maniac strikes fear into most players, when you understand their style you will know how to take advantage of their aggressive play. The key to playing a maniac is patience.

Once at a tournament, a player sat down at the table and started moving all-in almost every hand. After a few hands, the players started getting annoyed and after a half hour of being bullied by the maniac, the players were eager to make a stand.

Finally, a player was dealt 10, J suited and called the maniac’s all-in bet. When the cards were turned over, the maniac was way out front with Q, Q and went on to win the hand. Even through 10 J suited is a decent hand, it is usually not good enough to risk all your chips with before the flop.

Instead of making a hasty decision with his 10 J, the player should have waited until he had a more powerful hand to play. After about an hour at that same tournament, the maniac at the table was chip leader and I was in second. I had mostly avoided playing against him throughout the night. I was waiting for my big chance. Finally it came when I was dealt pocket Kings.

I made a small raise trying to fake a weak attempt to buy the pot. Everyone folded but the maniac who (of course) made a large raise. After thinking for a little bit about the situation, I came in all-in over the top of his raise. To my surprise, he quickly called. I flipped over my pocket Kings and he turned over pocket Queens.

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