“pokergal” asked a question in response to my article titled “Take a Break from Poker.”
So, what’s your advice when the cards still run bad (and I mean bad) after several breaks. I’m talking months this has been going on…
Since luck does play into poker, we should all expect losing sessions and they sometimes seem to string into losing weeks or months. My first thought when I was asked this question were that I’d try switching up my games. Try limit if I had been playing no-limit, try cash games if I was playing tournaments or sit n goes. That’s an easy answer, but please allow me to analyze this question a little more in depth.
I recently read an article in Bluff Magazine by Jeff Madsen titled Madsen is Back! Jeff pointed out the fact that he didn’t cash in anything significant since his original World Series of Poker win back in 2006. At that time he was recognized as the 2006 WSOP Player of the Year. He persevered through months and years of losses, believing in himself and his playing ability. Now, in 2009 he has wins in the $1500 buy-in tournament and the $10,000 buy-in HORSE Championship at Commerce Casino in California. Jeff says “The problem with overall results is that they can sway your perception of yur own game negatively at times and, of course, positively at times. Jeff proposes that you just believe in yourself and get out there and play to your full potential. He points out that you must put aside worrying about how you think you can play or how you should play, and just go out and play.
I wish we didn’t have to suffer these prolonged periods of losses. I’ve been dealing with a downswing of my own lately. It can cause us to question our abilities. That in turn can change how we play the game, with potentially disastrous results. We may lose confidence or become overly aggressive (read that as reckless) and our game suffers in the process.
I remember Mike Caro saying the true test of a poker player is how they handle themselves when they are losing. Am I playing my very best game even when I’m losing? If I can honestly answer yes to that question then eventually the odds are going to swing back in my favor and I will resume winning.
Every player has losing streaks. I try to focus on whether I believe I’m playing my very best game. Sometimes I conclude that I’m not so I take a break from poker and do a little reading, specifically trying to resolve whatever my current problem is. I can tell you I spend a good amount of time working on my self-discipline. When things go bad the gambler in me comes out and I start taking risks I wouldn’t otherwise take. Perhaps you know this scenario. You’ve seen hand after hand where lucky players suck out so you start playing that game, hoping for your break to get you back into the money. That’s exactly where we shouldn’t go when things are going bad. Once I’ve had a break from the game, did a little reading and regrouped then I give it another try.
There are some strategic changes that can be helpful when you’re experiencing losing poker sessions. Bear in mind that other players are watching you and become bolder when they see you losing. You will probably find it helpful to become tighter than you normally are. Pick solid starting hands, raise a little less often and don’t take chances bluffing at pots. Avoid fancy plays. When your “mojo” is gone it just isn’t profitable.
Another piece of advice I’ve read about breaking these bad streaks is not to even think of it as a streak. I know that can be easier said than done, but the reality is that each session is totally independent of the ones that preceded it and the ones that will follow it. Your job as a good poker player is to make the very best decisions you can during that session. Each time we begin a new poker session it is a fresh start. We must never allow these losing streaks to influence our future games.
When I’m on a losing streak I find it’s sometime helpful to play shorter sessions, focusing on playing the very best I can and then walking away after small wins. It’s amazing what this little boost of confidence can do to help break up those losing streaks. Belief in yourself goes a long way.
I hope this is helpful in some way. I know how frustrating it can be to suffer these streaks. May the poker goddess smile on you. : )
