Ash's Thoughts: Maniacs

The biggest advice I can give against a maniac is to not tilt. He usually will have the table on edge and is usually running the show. Don't get caughtup in the flashy show, just realize that it is his style and play accordingly.

Play tight and play your hand hard when you hit. Slow-play your monsters. Let him do the betting. Depending on position decide to show power on turn or river. If he has position - you should go for the reraise on the turn not the river. If you check to him on the river he will likely just check behind you. If you have position you can wait until the river to raise him.

Another tip - a maniac is usually succeptable (did I spell that right, ahh who cares) afraid of the reraise. the maniac is looking for easy money with scare tactics, and when you stand up to the bully, he thinks you mean business. He will usually fold. But if you get reraised, he usually hit his junk hard, so be ready to fold anything that isn't a monster.

Also be willing to call him down once or twice (as long as it isn't too expensive) with 2nd pr or TPWK (top pr weak kicker). Hopefully you win these hands but either way you have shown him that you don't really respect his bets for strong holdings. This image will make you money now if you hit a strong hand within an hr. He will be more apt to call a monster or strong hand of yours, that you have waited cautiously for, with weaker holdings because of that image.

Just keep rope-a-doping him with these plays (but mostly waiting for the slow-played, smooth-calling monsters) and you will take the bully's money.