fed up

[RED-DOG]

I know a brilliant, talented, gifted, handsome young player who is going through a terrible dry spell at the moment.

He is working hard though, doggedly trying ensure that he continues to play to the best of his ability and patiently waiting for his form to change.

What a hero! Good luck to him.

[Claw75]

good luck Red

[Acidmouse]

Well I am a total noob at poker and don't even play these days, but I have to say claw I bloody hated sitting next to you in the blonde league games. Yes thats a compliment.

[roverthtaeh]

Claire,
I learned how to play, deposited some money and began my poker journey.
I played like a rock, text book poker. I made my raises and continuation bets, I went on a winning streak and I assumed it was easy. And it was. For a few months.
Then one day, my continuation bets start getting called or raised on a regular basis. And when I raise pre-flop with Aces and Kings, everyone folds. I'm doing nothing different, but I'm not winning any more. It's frustrating.
Suddenly I realise that people have been studiously taking notes on how I play. They pretty much know what cards I play and which ones I don't. They figure me for the rock that I am. I'm now relying on hitting cards.
So I change my game plan. I decide to loosen up a little and start playing a larger variety of hands from different positions. But I hit a bad run. The outdraws are crippling. I begin to doubt the whole theory behind the game. The odds just don't seem to be panning out like they should be. It gets demoralising.
I go back to basics but don't seem to have the patience I used to have. I start to believe that I am a better player than I actually am. But my bankroll doesn't back that up and it's hard to be honest with myself. I lose faith. I'm all but ready to give up altogether.

Does this sound familiar?
So I took a rest for a week. Then I set myself a challenge. I would sit at a 5/10c cash table with just $1. I would allow myself 2 hours and just two refills of $1, putting a measly $3 at risk each night. I did this for a month. Yes, a whole month!
My best result in the 2 hours was $51.20 from the $1 sit down. I only lost the whole $3 on 4 occasions, the other times I profited, mostly small amounts.
I got my discipline and my patience back. With the challenge I set myself, it was hard not to! I'm back winning again now.
It's still difficult to cope with the outdraws, etc, but I'm getting there slowly.

I don't know you at all, but I think if you really want it you can achieve it.
Good luck.

[KeithyB]

Good move to switch to some cash games for a change if your confidence has dropped in the tourny's Claire.

Nothing like a change of format to stimulate your brain and make pokerseem exciting again!

Once refreshed I'm sure you'll be able to get back to hitting the tourny's aggressively and successfully once more.  ;bat;

[Claw75]

cheers rover and Keith.  don't want to jinx myself, but it's going very well at the moment playing the 6 handed cash tables.  The only dents to my bankroll since I started playing the cash tables the other night have been where I've decided to go in for an MTT or three.  I'll see how it goes - could just be beginner's luck, but I could see myself sticking to cash for a while if it's going to be quite profitable, then using some of the $$ I make from that to play a few MTTs (which are more fun )

[kinboshi]

cheers rover and Keith.  don't want to jinx myself, but it's going very well at the moment playing the 6 handed cash tables.  The only dents to my bankroll since I started playing the cash tables the other night have been where I've decided to go in for an MTT or three.  I'll see how it goes - could just be beginner's luck, but I could see myself sticking to cash for a while if it's going to be quite profitable, then using some of the $$ I make from that to play a few MTTs (which are more fun )

That's exactly how I play Claw.  Cash is the bread and butter - the odd MTT is the odd treat - and an even better treat when  I do well in one.

I also prefer the 6-seater cash games.

You will suffer bad sessions though, sometimes lots in succession.  Last night was one for me, but don't let it get to you.  If you're outdrawn after playing a hand well and getting your money in with the best of it - you have won (even if it doesn't feel like it at the time).  You'll start to doubt yourself, question whether or not you've just been lucky in the past, etc.  But it'll pass.

Glad you're back to winning ways, and I guess you're not 'fed up' anymore?

[Claw75]

I wouldn't say 'back' to winning ways - I've never been a winning player.  I've had a few nice cashes before and not had to deposit for a few months, but never been what I'd define as a 'winning' player.  Playing poker for me is recreation, and as long as I don't spend more than a few quid a month doing it, I'm happy   If this cash lark takes off though and I look like I can actually make a profit from playing, then all well and good

And no, I'm not fed up anymore

[ericstoner]

Nice to see your not "Fed up" anymore, and enjoying your dally into the cash tables.

I went through a similer dry patch after I came back from my pokerless holiday. I could'nt win a bean for the rest of October. I then hit the cash tables, and realized they are full of the worst/best players. I soon got back to winning ways,but I was risking more,so now I'm back doing ok on the pokerstars SnG's.

And enjoying it again,

hope you rak up that bankroll, in time for crimbo.

Good luck.

[Claw75]

don't want to jinx myself, but it's going very well at the moment playing the 6 handed cash tables. 

oh well - looks like I did   s'all gone save for a few measley little $.  perhaps I can do the same again and have some fun again over the next couple of days.  gonna hit some freerolls tonight I think!

but I'm still not fed up   think that might have been a bit of 'women's stuff' the other night!

[roverthtaeh]

don't want to jinx myself, but it's going very well at the moment playing the 6 handed cash tables. 

oh well - looks like I did   s'all gone save for a few measley little $.  perhaps I can do the same again and have some fun again over the next couple of days.  gonna hit some freerolls tonight I think!

but I'm still not fed up   think that might have been a bit of 'women's stuff' the other night!

There are some things even Blonde can't help with.