What to do when you run bad

[RichD]

Bad times do exist. e.g Sunday I kept running big pairs into bigger pairs. QQ into AA was the most common and when I finally had AA into QQ on Monday evening the QQ rivered a Q.. but you gotta keep playing with the same mental state as if you get runs like this you WILL get runs going the opposite way when it feels like you cant lose no matter what!

Taking a break surely wont change much, just keep you out of practice?

[M3boy]

For the last 4 days now, I have started my cash sessions of with a £600 loss within 10 minutes (outdraws and big hands into bigger ones etc...)

Then taken me 3 hours to turn it around.

Now if only I can get £600 UP within 10 minutes, I will be fine lol

[Slick Kid]

I'm in the middle of a stinking run at the moment, which has benifited me as l have learn't that this is a really hard game to succeed at. I am playing through it as l did during a short one last year(2 months). This one is at the three month stage but oddly this week l have noticed some of my hands are holding up so BEWARE. lol

[fearisthekey]

I'm in the middle of a stinking run at the moment, which has benifited me as l have learn't that this is a really hard game to succeed at. I am playing through it as l did during a short one last year(2 months). This one is at the three month stage but oddly this week l have noticed some of my hands are holding up so BEWARE. lol

I used to dread sitting down to play poker after a winning streak, I knew the complacency would creep up on me and I'd start playing real bad. A bit like golf: "Once you think you've really got is sussed it just reaches up and grabs you by the balls."
And good luck by the way, hope it holds up for you.

[tantrum]

It was said before - bad streak = bad play.

good streak does not mean great play either, those who are consistant winning players never talk about bad streaks for some reason, i wonder why?

[Ginger]

It was said before - bad streak = bad play.

good streak does not mean great play either, those who are consistant winning players never talk about bad streaks for some reason, i wonder why?

I don't agree with that at all.

Bad streaks/runs can LEAD to bad play, it does not necessarily mean you are playing bad to induce running bad.

And tbh, I have seen many pro interviews where they have mentioned running bad....

Players usually don't talk about running bad as they know that over time it evens out, winning players usually understand that and hence don't feel the need to talk about it.

[fearisthekey]

It was said before - bad streak = bad play.

good streak does not mean great play either, those who are consistant winning players never talk about bad streaks for some reason, i wonder why?

I don't agree with that at all.

Bad streaks/runs can LEAD to bad play, it does not necessarily mean you are playing bad to induce running bad.

And tbh, I have seen many pro interviews where they have mentioned running bad....

Players usually don't talk about running bad as they know that over time it evens out, winning players usually understand that and hence don't feel the need to talk about it.

Over a long period of time it is not possible for the world's best player not to undergo a bad streak, of the type that would sound almost contrived. Aces continually cracked, Running inside straights and backdoor flushes against him, everyone who plays enough will encounter a sustained period of this occurring. Likely to get at least one bad beat a day, shouldn't be surprised if they cluster.

[tantrum]

It was said before - bad streak = bad play.

good streak does not mean great play either, those who are consistant winning players never talk about bad streaks for some reason, i wonder why?

I don't agree with that at all.

Bad streaks/runs can LEAD to bad play, it does not necessarily mean you are playing bad to induce running bad.

And tbh, I have seen many pro interviews where they have mentioned running bad....

Players usually don't talk about running bad as they know that over time it evens out, winning players usually understand that and hence don't feel the need to talk about it.

Perhaps winning players don't believe in luck ....

[Ginger]

I didn't mention luck

[tantrum]

I didn't mention luck

So what exactly is a bad streak/run?

[jakally]

I didn't mention luck

So what exactly is a bad streak/run?

When I used to play MTT's more regularly, I went through a period where I was convinced that the whole world was against me, and that I couldn't win a race.

I decided to note down every all-in situation I had for a week, and the percentage chance of winning when the money went in.

As I expected, there were lots of bad beats to record, and my results weren't good (big $$ loss).

The thing that surprised me was that on average I was getting what I paid for - i.e. my overall win percentage wasn't far removed from the theoretical win percentage prior to the final cards coming out.

Turns out I was just rubbish at MTT's!!

[byronkincaid]

I didn't mention luck

So what exactly is a bad streak/run?

variance

[NoflopsHomer]

It hasn't been mentioned yet, but a poor run and suffering from variance is not an entirely bad thing. It grounds you. It forces you to accept the bad beats/bad plays of other people with more ease. It reins in your ego, reminding you, that contrary to popular belief, you are not the best undiscovered player in the world.

When Snoopy and I interviewed Greg Raymer last autumn at the Dublin EPT, he stated that a lot of these fast and young upcoming players would do a lot better in poker and in life if they'd had a bad run before reaching the high stakes game as it would help them err on the side of caution and become an important part in building their resolve for when times run bad, (and they do for ALL players).

In essence, a bad run will, in truth, teach you more about poker than most of your winning sessions ever will. How you choose to react to the bad run is the important thing.

[AndrewT]

It hasn't been mentioned yet, but a poor run and suffering from variance is not an entirely bad thing. It grounds you. It forces you to accept the bad beats/bad plays of other people with more ease. It reins in your ego, reminding you, that contrary to popular belief, you are not the best undiscovered player in the world.

When Snoopy and I interviewed Greg Raymer last autumn at the Dublin EPT, he stated that a lot of these fast and young upcoming players would do a lot better in poker and in life if they'd had a bad run before reaching the high stakes game as it would help them err on the side of caution and become an important part in building their resolve for when times run bad, (and they do for ALL players).

In essence, a bad run will, in truth, teach you more about poker than most of your winning sessions ever will. How you choose to react to the bad run is the important thing.

Yes, but in making someone play 'better', a bad run will curb the wildly reckless streak which propels them up to the high stakes game in the first place. Not everyone wants to reduce the amount of gamble in their lives.

One day as a lion etc.

[Snatiramas]

So I can honestly say it has been a good poker week. Played live twice and cashed twice and minor moneyed twice in the Mansion in the two times I played it.

Guess what I am going tonight??

I am going to take a break make supper for the family and read a good book. One thing I know for sure is I play better after a break because I feel refreshed instead of stale. If the Cincinatti kid teaches us one thing, it is that you should use your breaks from the game to come back refreshed

Have a good poker weekend all