How do I stay motivated through down swings?

AllenKll · Sep 10, 2020

My BR is down 15% over the last 2 weeks. I've not had a single winning session in all that time.

How can I stay motivated? How do I know I'm doing the right things and this is just variance? How do you keep going through rough times like this?

thanks

successlaw · Sep 10, 2020

Keep your eyes on your goal and don't forget why do you do this...and of course keep playing , you'll beat this downswing

Ropa · Sep 10, 2020

I know downswing is pretty hard to deal with and it will get you tilted, but keep your head up and keep going, downswing dont last forever and if playing poker is something you want to do, then stay focused and sooner or later you get better days.

najisami · Sep 10, 2020

I try staying away for a day, sometimes two during which I watch videos about different poker notions. I also read other things to completely forget about poker. I make sure I get a good sleep and feel well and ready before I go back to the tables. GL man.

Richardszabo · Sep 10, 2020

How do I stay motivated through down swings?
Two methods have helped me so far, relaxing, and watching other poker players.
How do I know I'm doing the right things and this is just variance?
Train yourself and analyze your game, this is the only way to improve.
How do you keep going through rough times like this?
I just don’t take poker seriously, anything can happen in any hand!

slais_pro · Sep 10, 2020

You need to understand that it is not always possible to win in poker, just play always according to the pot odds and mathematics, and remember that there will definitely be victories after the winnings!

Germanets · Sep 10, 2020

Probably, you need to have a break, for example for 2 weeks. If something goes wrong - small pause will help you to deal with emotions. It's works not only in poker - it's works in a lot of cases.

Havik · Sep 10, 2020

I'm in the same boat, I just keep playing through it. You can also go outside get some fresh air and take your mind off poker for a little while.

Tbone461 · Sep 10, 2020

Alcohol the cause and solution to most of life's problems.

GeckoAA · Sep 11, 2020

I find just being here in CC really helps me. I read all the threads and can see that I’m not the only one who goes through rough variance times. It reminds me that its just a normal part of poker. Before the only other poker person I could talk to was my husband, and that was fine, but having access to here and all the people gives me a much larger prospective.

Yes of course it is still hard to get through and you begin to doubt yourself and wonder if your playing well. Keep playing as well as you can, then all of a sudden it will be over for a while. Like ocean waves crashing on the shore. “Change is the only thing that is constant”.

the_bridge222 · Sep 11, 2020

Maybe resting for a day is a good idea, don't worry and good luck!

DS3 · Sep 11, 2020

It is hard to handle.

I have noted this before but what keeps me balanced (mostly) is keeping good records. The longer you play the less seriously you will take the downswings over an extended period if you are a winning player. If you can look back over months or even years and see what you have accomplished, a brief downswing becomes less troubling.

It still bugs the hell and you can even feel paranoid but you have to develop the ability to shrug off the bad sessions if luck is running against you.

wagon596 · Sep 11, 2020

I'm in one now, so many hands I'm ahead post flop and oops they hit two-outers, four table cards for a st8 or flush. I just have to remind myself I was ahead and that's all I can do, after that it's just up to the cards.

daniel888 · Sep 11, 2020

Playing badly makes me more nervous. Poker is still a gambling game so it's very normal when you loose even though you don't make any mistakes. But if you play badly and loose, it's your fault.

Suzana2304 · Sep 11, 2020

You need to take a break , your mind need it.

messats · Sep 11, 2020

when i have having a rough week i simply stay away from the tables and what poker vids and tourneys to help better my game because poker is evolving

daniel888 said:
Playing badly makes me more nervous. Poker is still a gambling game so it's very normal when you loose even though you don't make any mistakes. But if you play badly and loose, it's your fault.

your mind set will affect you game-play, thus you will make lots more mistakes and bad decisions

KasyakoFF · Sep 11, 2020

I had a recession for 3 months ((but then I sometimes started winning a little bit! and yesterday I raised a good jackpot) either I played better, or the downswing passed)))

Dmytro Lysyuk · Sep 11, 2020

I have a similar situation. I also think about it quite often because I often lose control and then regret it. In my opinion, you need to be distracted by other things, develop and train self-control.

youri · Sep 11, 2020

From 19th of August till 31st of same month, I experienced a downswing too, I lost 33 percent of my bankroll. I turned it around though last 11 days, it has been pretty fruitful to say the least.. What I did was I looked at my hand history during those 12 days and found that the playing style I implemented made me susceptible to huge losses. My AF and Aggression frequency was insanely high, coupled with bad decisions, goofy plays and tilt. I toned down my style and become more careful in my approach though I still play aggressively but, not to an insane degree. Its more balanced now.

I think you should analyse every session you've played in the downswing period, look through every hand, see the mistakes, take notes and make sure you dont repeat them. Also, look at your playing style in that period, there might be adjustments to be made.. hit the reset button and give yourself the best chance by leaving emotion out. It will pass, its normal to have downswings and you'll gain experience from it.

Pindiez · Sep 11, 2020

It’s hard when you are in downswing, but you must stay motivated. When I am in this situation I try relax and watch other players. I like learn and watch the best online poker players

Sorry for my english

Wrathchild · Sep 11, 2020

This is a tough one for me. The main thing I think about it that no matter how much skill i employ, luck will work for or against me. Picking the best spots I can, and making the best decisions I think I can over the long run is winning, but I only feel like a "winner" in the short term. Like, if I'm catching good hands, hitting the flop a lot etc. But then when it seems like I can't catch a break. AA rolled on by 88 who rivered that last 8, man that sucks. And when it seems to keep happening it's hard not to tilt. First I remind myself MY CARDS WILL COME, that's just how the game works. I remind myself of a few times I got lucky myself, or if it's really bad I ask myself how "good' my game is at the moment. If i'm playing good poker, but still losing, well, that just means keep playing good poker, and eventually the upswings will come back. A good book on this is "The Mental Game of Poker."

MishkaZL · Sep 11, 2020

Every player has had such difficult times. Usually in such cases I take a break for a few days. After a break, I become more patient and focused, and usually luck comes back as well.

diago726 · Sep 11, 2020

It is true all the comments you make here I have read them and it has happened to me many times and I lost many hands and believe me the frustration is great and what always helps me is to close the game, go with my children to play, laugh with them is the best and you forget everything.

1nsomn1a · Sep 11, 2020

Just prove to yourself that you are stronger than any downswings and black stripes, this is a test of good players and you have to overcome it. good luck!

UM3SH · Sep 11, 2020

Watch poker matches in YouTube or stream and play good game only.

How do I stay motivated through down swings?

AllenKll

Rock Star

successlaw

Legend

Ropa

Rock Star

najisami

Legend

Richardszabo

Visionary

slais_pro

Rock Star

Germanets

Enthusiast

Havik

Visionary

Tbone461

Rock Star

GeckoAA

Legend

the_bridge222

Rock Star

DS3

Legend

wagon596

Legend

daniel888

Visionary

Suzana2304

Rock Star

messats

Rock Star

KasyakoFF

Visionary

Dmytro Lysyuk

Rock Star

youri

Rock Star

Pindiez

Rock Star

Wrathchild

Enthusiast

MishkaZL

Legend

diago726

Rock Star

1nsomn1a

Visionary

UM3SH

Rock Star

About CardsChat

Our Community

Our Site