Wednesday, January 25th: Mom said there'd be days like this...
Help, Party flipped the doom switch on me! Had my biggest single day loss the other day: approx $7,000 down. I think if I ever stopped to think about just how much seven thousand dollars is, or what it could buy, I'm not quite sure I could go back to the 30/60 tables. Given that lately I've been simply devoid of good writing ideas in the few moments when I haven't been swamped with schoolwork, I figured this is as good an topic as any to write about, as maybe it will prove slightly therapeutic and ease my frazzled nerves. I honestly hate writing strategy or how-to entries, because they come off as so self-righteous, and I guess provoke the kinds of reactions as my "highlight hand" write-up did. Nonetheless, given that I simply haven't had any moments of spontaneous inspiration lately, here are my quick thoughts about dealing with the inevitable painful downswing.
First off, remember that these things are normal -- EVERYONE suffers through these brutal stretches, and I've found that they're usually the results of one of the following (and more often than not, simply a combination of the 3): a string of bad beats, second best hands, or simply a prolonged stretch of being card-dead. I always make it a point to keep the BIG picture in mind, a habit that I'd like to demonstrate with a visual aid. Here is a chart of my biggest freefall from last year -- I think it was something like $10,000 (around 225 big bets) in 2 or 3 days. A brutal stretch for me. And it didn't look pretty on a chart:
So all I'm trying to say is that one of the reasons I think I've really gotten more tilt-proof is that I've learned to view my downswings (even the tougher ones) in context. This post probably didn't break any new ground for the more experienced player, but I just get blown away every time I get an email from a relatively new player about how to handle bad beats, or why the strategy that seemed to work so well when they opened their new account seems to be busting them now -- what, haven't you heard about the 'cashout curse' :0) -- that I felt it would be worthwhile for some to understand that even consistent winners suffer through 200 - 300 big bet downswings. David Ross (a good player I'm told) once famously posted about his 510 big bet downswing, and Microbob recently reported an almost unthinkable 1,000 big bet downer. You're not a bad player if you suffer through a prolonged losing stretch (I've had break-even stretches of 20,000 hands). It's all about how you react to it. Play your game, and keep the big picture in mind.
First off, remember that these things are normal -- EVERYONE suffers through these brutal stretches, and I've found that they're usually the results of one of the following (and more often than not, simply a combination of the 3): a string of bad beats, second best hands, or simply a prolonged stretch of being card-dead. I always make it a point to keep the BIG picture in mind, a habit that I'd like to demonstrate with a visual aid. Here is a chart of my biggest freefall from last year -- I think it was something like $10,000 (around 225 big bets) in 2 or 3 days. A brutal stretch for me. And it didn't look pretty on a chart:
- But you know what? If I "zoom out" and look at that so-called "devastating stretch" in the context of the last half of my 2005, it's barely more than a little divet. Doesn't look so bad, does it?
So all I'm trying to say is that one of the reasons I think I've really gotten more tilt-proof is that I've learned to view my downswings (even the tougher ones) in context. This post probably didn't break any new ground for the more experienced player, but I just get blown away every time I get an email from a relatively new player about how to handle bad beats, or why the strategy that seemed to work so well when they opened their new account seems to be busting them now -- what, haven't you heard about the 'cashout curse' :0) -- that I felt it would be worthwhile for some to understand that even consistent winners suffer through 200 - 300 big bet downswings. David Ross (a good player I'm told) once famously posted about his 510 big bet downswing, and Microbob recently reported an almost unthinkable 1,000 big bet downer. You're not a bad player if you suffer through a prolonged losing stretch (I've had break-even stretches of 20,000 hands). It's all about how you react to it. Play your game, and keep the big picture in mind.
posted by Blog Administrator at 3:03 AM
4 Comments:
"a string of bad beats, second best hands, or simply a prolonged stretch of being card-dead"
You've just described my poker career in a nutshell.
Anyway, after following your $40K challenge, I'd bet my bankroll that you'll bounce back in no time.
I swear, I was about to come here and make a prediction that you've not been doing well because you haven't posted lately, and I find your post.
I must be psychic... I know it's way more fun posting when you've been winning, but like you always say, it's not about the money. It's a good, informative, sometimes thought provoking blog.
so keep it up, even when you aren't doing so hot.
Hehe, well, that's not entirely true -- I hadn't posted much because I have been utterly swamped with carrying 6 courses and a 30 page paper for a 7th course that didn't get done last semester, my affiliate business, trying to get approved to study in Australia next semester (more to come on that soon), a softball trip I'm supposed to organize, and a few other misc. things. And I try to play poker in what little time I have left over.
I did have one bad day, but actually bounced back from it, and have managed an overall 2BB/100 rate for 2006 as a whole.
Just so busy busy busy, right now, but I'd like to get back to making at least 2 posts / week, and I hope to be able to once things settle down.
I hate bad beets. If you spill just a little juice it will ruin whatever it touches.
Have read your blog from the big inning and it has been both enjoyable and educational. I am in the middle of a prolonged bad stretch and your post came at just the right time. Thanks and here is to your continued success.
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