Interesting to know how you are struggling with downswings in poker? Maybe there is something that helps you relax or rest. Personally, I am in such moments try to forget about poker, to take up other matters that go on holiday with friends or even something ... I look forward to hearing your answers.
Joined: Sep '07
Location: Sweden
Age: 48 (M)
Posts: 244
Downswing is never fun. I´ve been in one for quit some time now. Seems that every hand i play i get sucked out or the dealer hates me. I usually try to stay away from cash table for sometime when it feels like im in a downswing. I try to play small buyin sngs and tourneys. Just to keep playing poker without going bankrupt
I am in a downswing at the moment , for a very long time. I have lost about 40% of my winnings. After my relaxed vacation when i forgot about poker the whole downswing started. im reading some books and watching some poker movies and hope to soon be a better poker player again
yea try too don't play for some time but sometimes it's very difficult for me if i have a ;ot of bad beats i'll try more tight in that moments or for example i can go away from cash table and go to PS and play there some tournaments...
Joined: Dec '07
Location: Denmark
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 2644
Can't do anything about the downswings but positive thinking will make them shorter....ofcourse your thoughts wont change the cards but after a long downswing it's kind of normal to feel the game is not being fair and in someway you start to seek/want the bad beat....you are allmost waiting for it and I believe you get more badbeats because of bad thoughts(bad play).
So I try to keep a positive mind cause I know the best player will win which hopefully is you
when i get on a downswing i switch gears 180 degrees. usually i go from playing "smart" poker in the sense that i play the button, check-raise, bluff the blinds etc. to playing JJ QQ KK AA or any suited combo of the two. just a complete lockdown. ill fold small blind unraised if i dont have it just to avoid getting sucked into the hand. When i do get a hand ill play ill preraise before flop 10x the blind if i can afford it. that way when the hand is done im getting paid. a good idea if you are called for the flop is to continue with an big bet on the turn. if you lose with the best hand and you havent played a hand in an hour or so then, try again the next day. it always seems it just takes one or two nice wins to turn it around for me.. good luck
Joined: Oct '07
Location: Poland
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 67
downsing? = take a rest go for a walk., watch a film dont play!!! I was on downswing last week and still play and play and lost 20 BI......shocked....but never do this again...
Joined: May '08
Location: Poland
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 20
Well if you are on downswing you should probably minimalize playing poker or even stop playing for a walk, go on swimming pool, do some sports, go on a beer or sth else you like to do after that you should review your hands when u lost big pot and check if you could do anything better, Obviously dont play that day because u can make yourself go on tilt and that would be bad right?
