Slumps-How to cope

Slumps. Oh, the very sound of the word is depressing for poker players. You sit at the tables avery day and it just seems like the cards won't come. And as soon as you get the hand, WHAM, someone sucks out on you and wipes out your stack.

We, as poker players generaly know that this is a game of odds. Odds are, you are going to run through some bad patches. We all do, even the pros. So what do you do?

Well I usually will take a break for a few days to start with. Then I will reduce my buy-in stakes substantially and my field size. Starting out with low end micro sit and go's and high percentage payout satellite games. It may take well over a month to turn the tide but the important thing to realize is...it will turn. The key here is to endure it doing the least amount of damage to your bankroll and your mindset. Poker is not just a game of odds and percentages but a mental battle as well. Part of your losing streak is indeed self imposed. Your in a slump so you push more. Make poor choices on when to hold and when to fold. Yep. It is hard to evaluate one's self, but it is a must.

Just take a look at the hand history of two tournies. One you won some time back, and one you just lost while you were in your slump. You will see that the cards were not all that different, but your play was.

Take a few more days off. Go back to grinding. Good luck.

Excellent advice, Tallseas. Thanks for posting this. I've never had a cold streak of more than a week or so -- yet -- but even one that short brings on a sense of frustration that is hard to cope with. And then, as you say, you become your own worst enemy trying to make things turn around. Where I once was likely to just try to play through a downswing, I'm now more likely to just take some time off and come back when I'm in a better frame of mind. . .

Slumps. Oh, the very sound of the word is depressing for poker players. You sit at the tables avery day and it just seems like the cards won't come. And as soon as you get the hand, WHAM, someone sucks out on you and wipes out your stack.

We, as poker players generaly know that this is a game of odds. Odds are, you are going to run through some bad patches. We all do, even the pros. So what do you do?

Well I usually will take a break for a few days to start with. Then I will reduce my buy-in stakes substantially and my field size. Starting out with low end micro sit and go's and high percentage payout satellite games. It may take well over a month to turn the tide but the important thing to realize is...it will turn. The key here is to endure it doing the least amount of damage to your bankroll and your mindset. Poker is not just a game of odds and percentages but a mental battle as well. Part of your losing streak is indeed self imposed. Your in a slump so you push more. Make poor choices on when to hold and when to fold. Yep. It is hard to evaluate one's self, but it is a must.

Just take a look at the hand history of two tournies. One you won some time back, and one you just lost while you were in your slump. You will see that the cards were not all that different, but your play was.

Take a few more days off. Go back to grinding. Good luck.

Slumps. Oh, the very sound of the word is depressing for poker players. You sit at the tables avery day and it just seems like the cards won't come. And as soon as you get the hand, WHAM, someone sucks out on you and wipes out your stack.

We, as poker players generaly know that this is a game of odds. Odds are, you are going to run through some bad patches. We all do, even the pros. So what do you do?

Well I usually will take a break for a few days to start with. Then I will reduce my buy-in stakes substantially and my field size. Starting out with low end micro sit and go's and high percentage payout satellite games. It may take well over a month to turn the tide but the important thing to realize is...it will turn. The key here is to endure it doing the least amount of damage to your bankroll and your mindset. Poker is not just a game of odds and percentages but a mental battle as well. Part of your losing streak is indeed self imposed. Your in a slump so you push more. Make poor choices on when to hold and when to fold. Yep. It is hard to evaluate one's self, but it is a must.

Just take a look at the hand history of two tournies. One you won some time back, and one you just lost while you were in your slump. You will see that the cards were not all that different, but your play was.

Take a few more days off. Go back to grinding. Good luck.



Well stated tallseas.

:thumbsup

Lower the stakes and play smaller fields or just walk away until your mind is back in the game and you have the hunger to play again.


Poker can be pain and disappointment wrapped into one.

😔

When i deposit im always on a cold streak it never fells i play a couple games then i stop if im not hitting.. the next day is alot better 4 me i usally make final tables if i dont i do make it up there but i dont keep playing till my bankroll is out if ur not hitting stop for a day or to then go again

when i deposit im always on a cold streak it never fells i play a couple games then i stop if im not hitting.. the next day is alot better 4 me i usally make final tables if i dont i do make it up there but i dont keep playing till my bankroll is out if ur not hitting stop for a day or to then go again

Seems that the software helps you , lol. 😄

I can tell when I'm not playing my best. The money just pours out like a pitcher. Thats when I have to walk away and take a break. COme back later in the day or a few days after that. Once my mind is reset, it flows better again. Thats true in almost all endeavours whether playing poker or writing research grants... Good luck out there.

I can tell when I'm not playing my best. The money just pours out like a pitcher. Thats when I have to walk away and take a break. COme back later in the day or a few days after that. Once my mind is reset, it flows better again. Thats true in almost all endeavours whether playing poker or writing research grants... Good luck out there.

Words of wisdom!! Good luck on the felts.:thumbsup

Ya know, I never used to believe in slumps. Now, I just pray for a decent paycheck so I can play at least once a month. I have had a rough 2009-2010. I don't know what it really is. '08 was a good year, but lately I can't seem to win $.05 if the buy in is $.04 lol. oh well, there is always another game I guess lol.