Joined: Nov '09
Location: Canada
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 2387
Have you ever felt that you are not playing your best game and should just do something else for a few days? There was a time when I would play no matter how lousy I felt as I enjoy playing poker very much (addicted), and would suck really bad and put a serious dent in the old bankroll. The past two days have not gone well, and am lucky to have a small profit as I have been down several buy-ins on both days before rebounding. Two hectic weeks at work, the sudden arrival of winter along with crazy driving times to get around, fighting off a cold, all have left me drained and eagerly looking forward to the weekend. I’m going to take a couple of days off away from poker, recuperate and come back on Saturday. I’m trying to avoid playing poorly and hurting my bankroll, and wanted to get your opinions on what you do when you are off your game due to external factors. Do you stop playing? Go down to playing for pennies? Play freerolls or play money? What do you think? Thank you!
Posted by mahdrof: Have you ever felt that you are not playing your best game and should just do something else for a few days?
Yes, man, almost everyone of us has suffered that bad swings. In my case, I studied hard whether I am not playing good poker or variance is punishing me. In the first case, study the hands which have make you lose and try to improve. In the second case ... patience: trust in mathematics.
Posted by mahdrof: Do you stop playing? Go down to playing for pennies? Play freerolls or play money? What do you think? Thank you!
Once you have played at a level is difficult to go back. Playing for pennies is not funny but it may allow you to build a little bankroll to start again. Freerolls are so crazy that they aren't funny to play. I would try to improve my game studying the history of hands. When I'd be confident, I'd deposit some money to start again. Personally playing for pennies doesn't worth it. Good luck!
Joined: Nov '09
Location: Canada
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 2387
Hi DaMessiah666. Thank you for the reply, however I am talkiing more about a couple of so-so days where I am actually a little sick so I am not playing at the top of my game, rather than a catastrophic loss of bankroll. Do you keep playing when you are a bit off? I'll be playing Bookworm tonight and getting some rest.
hi, i have this feelings sometimes too, I am also trying to go to a lower limit or so playing freerolls, but I dont enjoy it, and everytime I gamble it.
The best way is to get off for few days, maybe one weekend without it. Then I am coming back with good mood and I am really looking for playing the game. It is bad that if I have this feelings, I also cant study poker - it annoys me too
Joined: May '09
Location: India
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 4873
its gud idea taking a break when you having a downswing or busy with other things in life. forcing yourself to play will only lead to losing it. i take break often and play with play money now and then to cool myself. hope you are rejuvenated soon to bounce back at tables with full energy , gl
Joined: Nov '09
Location: Poland
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 1189
Often.... it's always good to make some break after a lot of playing.... It's not only about Poker... if you are playing anything or just doing anything a lot... you started to feel bored/tired of it. Don't play if you feel you really disslike or you don't want to do it because you will make stupid mistakes thinking "I don't care". Some people need few days and some a week or a month even to be able to play their A-game again. Try to look for other hobby for a while.
Posted by mahdrof: Have you ever felt that you are not playing your best game and should just do something else for a few days? There was a time when I would play no matter how lousy I felt as I enjoy playing poker very much (addicted), and would suck really bad and put a serious dent in the old bankroll. The past two days have not gone well, and am lucky to have a small profit as I have been down several buy-ins on both days before rebounding. Two hectic weeks at work, the sudden arrival of winter along with crazy driving times to get around, fighting off a cold, all have left me drained and eagerly looking forward to the weekend. I�m going to take a couple of days off away from poker, recuperate and come back on Saturday. I�m trying to avoid playing poorly and hurting my bankroll, and wanted to get your opinions on what you do when you are off your game due to external factors. Do you stop playing? Go down to playing for pennies? Play freerolls or play money? What do you think? Thank you!
Joined: Jan '10
Location: United States
Age: 33 (M)
Posts: 123
Hey it happens man your going to have days where you play poorly and your mind isnt in it. There is no way around it and no way to avoid it. I think you pretty much got it though..Take a few or a couple of days off give yourself a break from the game that always helps. Then you can come back fresh with a brand new mind and hopefully play better. Goodluck!
Posted by mahdrof: Do you keep playing when you are a bit off? I'll be playing Bookworm tonight and getting some rest.
Nope, I have to feel good to play. I take my game seriously and, if I have the feeling that today is not a good day ( for several reasons ), I prefer stop playing.
Posted by midnight1954: kick the cat works every time
WT &%#!$%&/@!! Don't do it never! I love my cat as he was my son so I won't never let him pay my anger!
Joined: Oct '09
Location: Spain
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 2851
DON´T play freerolls and micros!!!! That´s only going to get you down even more, and maybe even "disgusted" like I was last month. That´s what I did and it was a really bad plan!
Just take a break. when you feel you want to play again, you´ll do it with a lot more optimism and fun. Be it 2 days or more, a break neber hurts.
Joined: Nov '09
Location: Philippines
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 1011
I’m trying to avoid playing poorly and hurting my bankroll, and wanted to get your opinions on what you do when you are off your game due to external factors. Do you stop playing? Go down to playing for pennies? Play freerolls or play money? What do you think? Thank you!
i don't think some1 would be off at playing poker, maybe your just unlucky... but , if you truly are addicted, i bet you couldn't get away for a couple days playing poker...
Joined: Feb '10
Location: Portugal
Age: 43 (M)
Posts: 998
Its bad when you play good and you get kicked everytime by any calling station.
Last weeks i had enough of that, latewly i have been in a huge downswing, today i decided to cash out the rest of the money i still had in my account and ill try to be away from poker and i hope its for long time.
Joined: Nov '09
Location: Philippines
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 1011
Posted by kinogomes: Its bad when you play good and you get kicked everytime by any calling station.
Last weeks i had enough of that, latewly i have been in a huge downswing, today i decided to cash out the rest of the money i still had in my account and ill try to be away from poker and i hope its for long time.
Enogh is enough.
if your addicted to poker, it's part of your system... so i bet, you couldn't keep away for a long time...
Joined: Jan '09
Location: Philippines
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 326
I have a good suggestion. Go out and have a trip with no computers on your trip. go to camping or have a night with girls and go very drunk for sure if you go home you'll be straight to bed and you can have a day with no poker. at least for a night...
Joined: Oct '09
Location: Lithuania
Age: 43 (M)
Posts: 2805
i loose to many in last 10 days so i ll not play this week from monday theer i ll play my last this week hand so i ll back only on saturday in baltic chalange tournament final and alo no play more then this one becouse i ll run now on really very bad way without luck and huge hands in my hands easy beating at the rivers good luck all shorts breaks still no killing your bankrolls
Joined: Nov '09
Location: Canada
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 2387
Feeling sharp again this morning, played for 45 minutes, small gain but feeling good overall. Ready for the office Christmas party today, oh yeah baby!
Have to rehearse: Yes boss, funny joke boss, Merry Christmas boss...
Joined: Nov '10
Location: Serbia
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 2087
When Im in that situation I try to change something... If Im paying lot of tournament I start to play some cash games or make deposit at some new room or go and play live...
