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How Do You Overcome A Bad Run?

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  1. netjunkie netjunkie is offline

    Concord, NC
    United States

    Posts: 38
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 22nd, 2005 (5/22/2005 7:26pm)

    I have been on a really bad run the past two months. How do you overcome this? Any tips? I am very discouraged about my play.
  2. brian51 brian51 is offline

    Milwaukee, WI
    United States

    Posts: 104
    Joined: Jan 05

    May 22nd, 2005 (5/22/2005 7:45pm) in reply to netjunkie

    I am right there with you. I changed sites, change what types of games u play (stt, mtt, cash). I finally got past it yesterday, and have finnished 2nd and 3rd in 150+ mtt on ub. It feels great after a long bad run.

    Also the best thing to do is to drop down the level of money you are playing for, until u are confident with your game again.

    Brian
  3. jsbyun jsbyun is offline

    Pleasanton, CA
    United States

    Posts: 1,849
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 22nd, 2005 (5/22/2005 7:46pm) in reply to brian51

    Good advice. You can also play different poker games like Omaha or lowball. Oftentimes, it's just best to take some time off completely.
  4. Imperial Imperial is offline

    Posts: 80
    Joined: Mar 05

    May 22nd, 2005 (5/22/2005 7:48pm) in reply to netjunkie

    There are lots of things you can do.

    I would first recommend taking a break from poker for awhile; maybe a week or two, so that when you come back you feel rested, relaxed, and ready to play again. If you don't want to wait I would consider dropping down a level. Also, because you've been on the skids for two months it's definitely time to reevaluate your game. First, think about the holes in your game and how to improve them; read up on strategy and get advice from players that you know are profitable at your level of play. Next, find out where you make the most consistent money and stick to only playing that game. If that niche game isn't working then go out and experiment with other games. If you're rubish at tournaments try cash games or STTs or heads up sngs that are all a very small part of your bankroll; try everything until you find what you're profitable at.

    Once you sort these issues out things will start to fall into place and you'll surely be winning again.

    GL
  5. NSXT2 NSXT2 is offline

    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    United States

    Posts: 2,339
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 22nd, 2005 (5/22/2005 11:22pm) in reply to Imperial

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>How Do You Overcome A Bad Run? </TD></TR><TR><TD>by netjunkie on 5/22/2005 18:26 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    USE nail polish.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
     
  6. Peeig Peeig is offline

    Chicago, IL
    United States

    Posts: 912
    Joined: Apr 05

    May 23rd, 2005 (5/23/2005 12:16am) in reply to NSXT2

    I like to hit a couple of adult websites during a bad run..........it tends to relax me, then I don't mind moving all in with Q,3 suited.
  7. yogiblair yogiblair is offline

    Posts: 2,074
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 23rd, 2005 (5/23/2005 12:30am) in reply to NSXT2

    Oh Todd....where does that sense of humour come from man :) lol

    I love it!!

    But wait....how do you know how to fix a run in pantyhose????

    BTW.. you should have suggested he use clear nail polish!!

    Yogi
  8. NSXT2 NSXT2 is offline

    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    United States

    Posts: 2,339
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 23rd, 2005 (5/23/2005 12:44am) in reply to yogiblair

    I have a strong feminine side.
     
  9. gank gank is offline 'tis always ganktober

    Oldwick, NJ
    United States

    Posts: 2,726
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 23rd, 2005 (5/23/2005 4:19am) in reply to NSXT2

    Here is an article I wrote about that. Hope you find it helpful, I know many others have. Brett
    <A target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pokertrails.com/articles/confidence.php">
    http://www.pokertrails.com/articles/confidence.php</A>
     1
  10. OklaFatBoy OklaFatBoy is offline

    Minot Afb, ND
    United States

    Posts: 550
    Joined: May 05

    May 23rd, 2005 (5/23/2005 2:27pm) in reply to gank

    Great advice gank. It is all mental. You have to go into table with the confidence you are the best one there. Even when you see names that you know are better than you. I guess you have to have a go get'em attitude, and take the good with the bad.

    Best of luck
  11. soccer mom 2 soccer mom 2 is offline

    Huntington Beach, CA
    United States

    Posts: 872
    Joined: Apr 05

    May 23rd, 2005 (5/23/2005 6:59pm) in reply to OklaFatBoy

    net- im a big fan- you are great--- try a few things different- never play the same hand the same way in a given tourny- mix it and take some chances... lastly- WATCH the great players that do well consistently... watch what they do- read some poker books- if you can pick up one good thing from each book you are way ahead-- dan harringtons new one is very good for tourny play.... gl
  12. OklaFatBoy OklaFatBoy is offline

    Minot Afb, ND
    United States

    Posts: 550
    Joined: May 05

    May 24th, 2005 (5/24/2005 8:39am) in reply to soccer mom 2

    soccer mom 2 is right. I am not a pro by any means but my game gets better and better everytime I play after I have read a book. Maybe its just me, but you subliminally(spelling) keep the knowledge in your head even if you cant think of it at the time. What is your email address and I can send you a book I have?

    OklaFatBoy
  13. buythebook buythebook is offline

    Hartford, CT
    United States

    Posts: 332
    Joined: Apr 05

    May 24th, 2005 (5/24/2005 10:54am) in reply to brian51

    I'm right there with you guys, too. Right now it's not a lack of confidence for me, it's more a lack of cards. Even when I do get a nice starting hand like AQsuited I'm not hitting anything on the flop...in last 10 MTTs at Bodog I think I've hit about 10 flops (not exaggerating) and even when I hit top pair, someone has me beat (f beanie). Keep finishing in bottom ten percent of field and it's frustrating as hell...haven't even been able to play long enough to apply some of the new strategies I have in mind. Well, I just made my final deposit there so I'm hoping things start turning around quick.

    One thing I can suggest is to hang around and observe the tourney after you've been knocked out. I have a ton of notes on players now:) Also, as important as it is to take notes on your opponents, I believe it's even more valuable to write down how the good players at the table- guys like Wachovia who you know are taking notes- perceive you. This will come in very handy the next time you tangle. On a related note, anyone have an idea as to why Bodog is no longer allowing spectators at final tables. Do some of the other sites do this, too? Sorry if this was addressed in another thread but this is my busiest time of year with my business. (If any of you have in your extended family a 5th, 8th (i.e., jmaltz) or 12th grader graduating in June, my personal-growth book for adolescents has become a popular graduation gift. While it is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, if you order it at my website (http://www.TeenWinners.com), I'll gladly personalize it with an inspirational message...something like "Dear_____, Remember to have goals and dreams, and to believe you can achieve them- because with persistence, you can!"
  14. netjunkie netjunkie is offline

    Concord, NC
    United States

    Posts: 38
    Joined: Feb 05

    May 24th, 2005 (5/24/2005 11:22am) in reply to OklaFatBoy

    Thanks for all the great advice. Sometimes you feel like you are the only one running bad...which I know isn't true. I will take everyone's advice and run with it. Except for NSXT2...I refuse to wear pantyhose...lol. Again, thanks and see you at the tables!! (p.s. soccer mom's rule)
    Thread Starter
  15. Crawfdad Crawfdad is offline

    Mattoon, IL
    United States

    Posts: 58
    Joined: May 05

    May 24th, 2005 (5/24/2005 11:39am) in reply to netjunkie

    In basketball they take a time-out. I think the tendency is to loose your prospective and ablity to read players. So, time out works for me. Like two minutes before the next tournament starts. Lol

    Just make sure it is a bad run and that you are not playing bad. Try to step back and be objective.

    GL luck it will be over soon.
     
  16. buythebook buythebook is offline

    Hartford, CT
    United States

    Posts: 332
    Joined: Apr 05

    May 25th, 2005 (5/25/2005 10:46am) in reply to brian51

    Bad run continued last night in Bodog 10K. I'm wondering if my bet sizes may have been a factor (sorry no hand history):

    In MP+1 and with blinds at 15-30, I limp, after two others, w/ pocket 4's and T1300...button w/ about T2600 calls and neither blind raises so we see flop of 2,6,4 six-handed. Checked to me and I put in pot-sized bet of 180. (Should I have overbet here because someone w/ 2 overs, PP, or even a donk w/ 2 hearts may call creating the right odds for others to chase?) Button did call but everyone else folded.

    Turn comes a seemingly innocuous 8. I lead out w/ a T500 bet into the T540 pot and blind raises me allin for about another T650. I immediately call because I don't put him on a made hand and if he has pocket 8's, oh well). He flips over 78 and one of his many outs- a - comes on river to knock me out (in bottom 10% of field AGAIN).

    My question is since he had called flop bet, should I have immediately gone allin on turn since he was likely to have so many outs? After reading Awwwnutz' excellent post on this subject, I thought the T500 bet into the T540 pot was enough but am now thinking it was a mistake that contributed to my bad run continuing. Any thoughts?
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