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How to get through the down swings?!?
terbet11
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March 26, 2012 - 12:41 pm
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Hello TPE Nation-

This question is really for everyone, but wanted to also get the pro's advice as well.  March has been unkind for me…I started off with 2 final tables, but then went 25+ straight tourneys with no cash.  I would cash, then go another 11-15 tourneys.  Before I keep going, I know that this is a small sample, but when your stats show you cash typically 1/5 times this is frustrating.  I have final tabled the $5 1k twice this past week, but that is it.  Other than a few tourneys that I may of been tilting, I haven't changed my way of playing that has gotten me where I am prior to this month (I have had 5 straight months of $500 profit or more).  Maybe it was just time for another down swing to get me…don't know?

 

It seems that whatever I do, I can't win.  My Kings lose to Ax like evertime, my 80/20s lose to smaller sets, I can't win a coin flip, etc.  I know that when playing mtt's this WILL happen, but I am wondering how you guys deal with it.  Poker is the only game that you can get it in good and still lose which I know is the most frustrating aspect of it.  I do love the game though, love studying it, etc, so when I continually lose to bad beats to dudes pushing buttons I wonder is it worth putting the work in?  I actually have gone back and watched some hh reviews of tourneys I have shipped or made deep runs in to see good things happen.  Any insight would be great on how to get through these times.  Don't mean to complain, just need some therapy:) Thanks so much TPE!!

swhitelex
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March 26, 2012 - 5:03 pm
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downswing. meh. downswings is a confidence killer definately. I am no pro but I think the thing that seperates a good poker player and a bad poker player is not let your past game effect your present game. You need to hit through the wall and make it happen. Gl at the tables.

Donskey
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March 26, 2012 - 11:26 pm
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hey terb

 

I hear ya man, I've had the same sort of month.

The way I get through it, is not to look at it in with “short term eyes” (actual, the here and now) but rather with “long term eyes” (the expectation, the EV). Not easy I know.

 

I say to myself, the chips are in the middle more often than not with +EV and therefore I have made money. Have not made money in the short term the actual, the here and now, but I I have made money in the long term, the expectation the +EV.

 

When I was playing Blackjack and you would go through a terrible downswing (which was often) we had a saying amongst ourselves (other BJ counters).

 

“Just made a big deposit into the Casino bank, will come back and withdraw it at a later day and with some interest to boot”

 

Likewise in poker. When we're in a downswing, all we are doing is making a deposit in the “Poker Bank”. We will withdraw it at a later day and with interest.

swhitelex
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March 27, 2012 - 8:16 am
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like that donskey. I think it is important to look at the long term goals and not focus on the short term goals. It is also important in downswings is to be ok with dropping down levels for a bit and then move up. It is better long term to do this. I used to deal with a downswing in the opposite fashion which was go up in stakes to “make up” the downswing in a session so I can get my roll back up to where I lost and it is a downward swing.

I think it is best to expect the downswing and realizing that it is “just a downswing” so you are cognisent to the fact that you are going to have a better solution by dropping down stakes, bring your confidence back up and then head back up.

terbet11
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March 28, 2012 - 12:33 am
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Thank you fellas for the insight.  I am going to fight through this and concentrate on the long term!! Hard I know, but just continue trying to play my “A” game and get the chips in the middle good is all we can do.  Thanks again!!

hawkeyeK9
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March 29, 2012 - 4:10 pm
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Hey Terb, just remember if people could get good at poker and never have to deal with downswings then everyone would do it and there would be no money to be made. Look at other good players Sharkscope and notice the downswings they have had to go through, it is a quick reality check that is part of the game and the better players persevere and prevail.

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Killingbird
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March 29, 2012 - 4:25 pm
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handful of good tips here:

 

…..ownswings/

ttwist

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March 30, 2012 - 10:52 am
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poker is the funniest endevour of alltime because you can never get away from it when your running good you have to put in the volume when your running bad you play to get out of the funk.

0lespaul3
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March 30, 2012 - 2:37 pm
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play less, and higher quality thinking is how I usually bust out.

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