DAVE SCHARF’S PLAYER CLASSIFICATION 5

5. The Maniac

Although their style of play is very volatile, you really want to be up against a maniac as they are the types of poker players most likely to increase the size of your personalized poker chip stack. They simply bet and gamble with anything and truly believe that winning a poker game is all about being lucky and not skilful. They have no idea about hand value and they really don’t care what you have and whether or not you are likely to call or not. They just keep raising and this infuriates other poker players sitting tight behind their personalized poker chip stacks. Maniacs usually start the poker match with a huge personalized poker chip stack but remember this luck will run out long term as the poker gambling game progresses.

They just seem to raise and bluff even if they know that another poker player is likely to call their raise! They usually bet and gamble away their personalized poker chip stacks on draws rather than the stone cold nuts. They always seem to bet if you check to them and if they have top pair, prepair to see their personalized poker chip stack be put online for all it’s worth! They won’t fold it even if there is a chance someone out there has hit a straight or a flush. They all just think poker is about gambling, rather than skilful betting and so it doesn’t take long for their luck and their personalized poker chip stacks to run out.

How do you play this sort of poker player? Our strategy and gaming advice is very simple. All you need to do is wait until you are dealt the best hand and then manipulate the betting to take the maniac out of the poker game and steal his personalized poker chip stack from right under his nose. Unlike with most poker players, you don’t need to fear a raise from a maniac, even if he is sitting in early to middle position. Even a moderate poker hand is worth calling with even if he raises you when he is first to act under the gun. Don’t play out too many draws with a maniac because it will cost you dearly and will create significant dents in your personalized poker chip stack. Only bet and gamble hard against this sort of poker player when you are sure to beat him and take his personalized poker chip stack from the middle of the poker table at the end of the betting and gambling round.