Maniac Poker Style

A maniac is an extremely loose and aggressive poker player. Maniacs love big pots, huge bluffs and constant action. They can crush weak, scared opponents in the short term, but their style is usually unstable and high variance over the long run.

How maniacs play

• Open far too many hands from all positions.
• 3-bet and 4-bet light just for pressure.
• Barrel multiple streets with weak holdings.
• Call down light out of curiosity or ego.

Why maniacs win and lose

Maniacs can win big when opponents fail to adjust and fold too much. However, once players tighten up and start calling more, maniacal aggression burns money fast. Without discipline and emotional control, this style is rarely sustainable.

How to exploit maniacs

• Tighten your starting hand selection.
• Value bet bigger and more often.
• Avoid fancy bluffs — they call too wide.
• Let them build pots with worse hands and pay you off.

For a full comparison between maniacs and other archetypes (TAG, LAG, nit, calling station), read the Poker Styles Guide. You can also take the Poker Style Test to see whether you lean toward maniac tendencies.