The $2/$5 maniac who slows down after a big pot loss is not done. He's reloading emotionally. Give him two or three orbits and he'll be back to full aggression - usually worse.

Why they do it

$2/$5 maniacs don't quit after a bad beat. They process it, get angry, and come back firing harder. The quiet phase is not a gear change - it's a pause. When they start raising again after going quiet, they're more aggressive and less disciplined than before. That's when they're most exploitable.

The adjustment

Notice the reload phase. When he starts firing again after his quiet stretch, tighten your bluffing range and widen your calling range. He's going to spew and you want to be there for it.

What it's worth

Positioning yourself correctly for a maniac's emotional reload is worth $100-200 in a single session if you have the patience to wait for it.