How to deal with Maniacs ?

[Marias132]

I have seen this guy on $25 NL table. He either makes a 60 BB raise / ALL IN or folds. And he makes those plays with hands like KTo and 55. He busted rockets, cowboys and better preflop hands like he was in a massacre. The whole table got crazy. This was going on for about an hour.

Once, I donated my full stack to him with 99. After about 30 min, I got my stack to about $80. Then I got dealt 99 in big blind. Maniac goes all-in. I call and UTG who limped earlier calls. I make the set and win big. Ironically, UTG had QQ and maniac had AA.

I know I made a poor play. I know I should have my wits with me and play a solid game or leave the table for better games.

But, how to deal with such plays : philosophically and play-wise? You cannot be playing your natural solid game, can you?

[Rondavu]

Let him steal til the end of time if you never get a high pocket to destack him with. You can't allow him to effect you mentally. Just play your game. It's not your responsibility to lay down the law. It's your job to make money for yourself. Let him do what he does. Eventually one of you at the table will find a high pocket and destack him.

I have been known to call with AK or AQs against these types, but it's not exactly recommended. I don't think 99 was all that terrible. You just ran into the action hand. Fortunately you sucked out.

[Silly String]

Snaps!

You can loosen up a little knowing QQ-TT are safer pushes, but you just have to say a little prayer that you wake up with a good hand before he de-stacks himself.
As an aside, it is funny to watch someone take control of a table like that. People start limping with AQ, KQ, etc. for fear they are going to face a 60BB raise. Hilarious.

[EricE]

Snaps!

You can loosen up a little knowing QQ-TT are safer pushes, but you just have to say a little prayer that you wake up with a good hand before he de-stacks himself.
As an aside, it is funny to watch someone take control of a table like that. People start limping with AQ, KQ, etc. for fear they are going to face a 60BB raise. Hilarious.

That is what I do. How often he goes all in determines how low your PP requirements are for calling him. For me its usualy no lower than JJ but if he is AI very often I'll lower it.