Maniacs drive me insane!!!!

[Vanwilddealer]

I play alot of FTP freerolls and a lot of poker in our league at the bars. I know I am a decent player, but I still get frustrated by these kids that watch too much TV and go all in all the time. I was wondering how you deal with them. I know you can't bully someone who has no clue they are being bullied., but there has to be some way to get their chips. Andrew

[aleanrahel]

Patience, patience, patience.

Don't bully or bluff, simply wait for a top hand, and let them hang themselves. I gladly push all my chips in with top two pair, trips or better (as long as the board isn't suited/straightening).

If they hit their runner-runner, so be it, bad beats happen. But when I go all-in in early stages, I want to be at least 65% to win. Just top pair isn't going to do it, most of the times.

Remember, these jokers play almost any 2 cards, so don't be surprised if they hit a two pair with 2 6 suited. That's why I do not want to go all-in on a strong but vulnerable hand. It is very difficult to analyze the flop with maniacs.

[Vanwilddealer]

Thanks for the reply and I will try to have a little more patience. I have relised that there is no shame in getting your chips in with the best hand and I have learned to let the bad beats stay where they should. The last hand, cards have no memories.

[ellie]

i agree..just have patience..the bullies will fall and so will the young guns...my best advice, espically if they are raising every hand..call with great cards..if you hit check and let him make the bad move...good luck

[FIORILLO]

sometimes on fulltilt tourneys, ill sit out the first 45 minutes and come back when half the players are eliminated. from there on i just play tight and usually make it to the final table.

[billyWilliams]

Approach freerolls like you would a rebuy. In the rebuy period, raises are meaningless, chips really have no value yet. There isn't any reason to raise in a freeRoll either early on because of the maniac factor. See a lot of flops when you can, in position, when there hasn't been any raising.. and don't worry about your cards.

This will notch down the frustration level ten-fold, because you can easily get away from the hand. If you have pocket AAs, or KKs, then you can decide to get heads up.

[billyWilliams]

I must add that you're still playing tight.

[gotsaltwater]

I feel the same way. I play small lives games, and all of us play seriously, but playing freerolls online has shown me how ridiculous youngsters can be. To win against these players, I make sure I keep the pot as small as possible until i am 100% positive i have them beat and then bet big. This way, if they outflop you, you havent committed a lot of your stack

[GuerillaGrip]

You think that kind of play only happens in freerolls you got another things comming I have seen it ont he 5/10 nl I don't play much higher but maniacs are every where beware...

[kemo1a]

It is a lot of patience and waiting for about the best cards. But if you lose with a really good hand remember somtimes you can play the almost best and can lose to a slightly better hand but it will come back to you. Also freeroll answer. I have played a lot and placed in a lot of top 27 the key is getting a nice amount of chips early by gettting a lucky hand that holds up. Then don't be afraid to fold. Other help if you don't get a good hand early to earn you chips. Play aggressive after the first break with Good starting hands. AK suited AQ suited. 10's or better, or if in a blind and a few limpers raise it if you have suited cards, or hands for straights 6,7 then after the flop come out bettting big after a flop that gives you a shot no shot check around. Only works a few times after first break but should get you the chips to play. After the second break be very carefull with your chips all players left are usually for real and you need the best to win.