Strategy when Card Dead?

[JTifenbah]

Do you change your playing style when you have an extended run of bad cards? Is it different with cash games vs tournaments? I have been card dead for about 6 months. It was suggested to widen my opening range and I have tried when in position but 9, 3o should not be played.

Interesting question. I can relate to it that you play the same no matter what cards are dealt. Just pick a good spot to semi bluff with good blockers, play 3 bet fold range wider then usual and that should work time to time.

 

[TeUnit]

You can always look for reasons to play the hand.

Look for villans that fold too much to cbets.

Look for villans that are fit or fold.

Look for villans that do not defend their blinds.

etc.

And if you are playing focusing on the effective stack sizes, the shorter you get the wider your range will get.

 

[Joe]

I love this response and I agree. It's what I should do as well should I find myself in a similar situation.

But card dead for 6 months? Wow, that's brutal. Maybe days, but not months. In such an unfortunate scenario, taking time off the felt and embarking on other things not poker related maybe the best option -- until such time that you're hungry for it again.

Have experienced brutal 6 month+ downswings before, not fun!

 

[dreamer13]

Your dead card period can end at any moment. Most players simply overestimate the impact of their imaginary dead card period on the perception of their image in the eyes of opponents.You should not show constant aggression. Most importantly, do not be nervous, twitchy and make hasty decisions.

 

[ph_il]

But doing that would in essence change your strategy, as you would have to change your ranges when your stack goes really short in order to focus on min cashing.

I meant I wouldn't purposely make any drastic changes to my general strategy when I play.

maybe 'play style' is a better choice of words, but my mtt strategy is constantly adjusting as play progresses, depending on the situation.

 

[Trismegisto]

yes you gotta feel when you are in a losing streak, when you must all in or nothing, those moments are key

 

[A kiravio]

Do you change your playing style when you have an extended run of bad cards? Is it different with cash games vs tournaments? I have been card dead for about 6 months. It was suggested to widen my opening range and I have tried when in position but 9, 3o should not be played.

Hello. I too have been going through such a situation for several months and I've gotten used to it. I tried various strategy changes, and bluffs, and all kinds of nonsense. I managed not to recognize myself his style even put me to shame. All I have left is to be patient, I'm sure I'll recover.