“When you are hot, keep shooting,” and “The only way to get out of a slump is to shoot your way out of it” are the mottos of shooters and how I always viewed my role on a basketball team. A decent jump shot was generally what I brought to the table. If I was in the game, I was in there to take a shot when it came my way.

If I started to play scared and pass up open shots or hesitate, I was of very little value to my team and even more likely to continue to chunk up bricks. Part of shooting is getting into a rhythm. Any hesitation or glitch is likely to mess that up.

Run badly for a few sessions and your poker game will start to look like a guy who hasn’t hit a jumper in his last 25 shots and is afraid if he clanks another one, he is coming off the court, maybe for good.

“If I have you in the game, I have you in there to shoot,” I remember a coach telling me when I was in a slump. I felt like I was lucky to hit the rim, much less make a shot. But, realizing my role on the team was to shoot and that the coach wanted me to take shots helped kick the mental part of it out of my head. It got me back to taking shots in rhythm and finally knocking a couple down and getting back on track.

In poker, you are your own coach. The decision whether to be in the game is one you have to make for yourself. Sometimes, a little time off to come back fresh is exactly what you need to get back in the right direction. But, if you decide to put yourself in the game, go in planning to take the shots and make the plays you would normally make.

Don’t fold a flush draw where you would usually call just because you haven’t made a flush in what seems like ages. Don’t be afraid to bluff because you seem to get called every time. Don’t limp pre-flop because you don’t ever seem to connect anyway.

If you have a style and plan that work for you, don’t jump ship because you had a few bad sessions. Constantly evaluate and improve your game and adjust as needed, but don’t allow what you know to be poor plays to seep into your game just because you are running badly.

If you are generally an aggressive player who puts pressure on his opponents (which most long-term winning players are) and start to get gun-shy and stop applying that constant pressure that can infuriate and baffle your opponents, then you can go from a solid winner in the game to just another player taking a shot and hoping for a good run of cards.

You are your own coach. You have to be able to step back and make a decision as to whether being in the game is the right idea at that moment. But, if you decide that you are ready to play, then go in like you are in the middle of a heater.

Court Harrington has worked on the business side of the poker industry in roles including tournament reporting for PocketFives, radio hosting for PokerRoad Radio, coaching for the WSOP Academy and privately, and a variety of behind-the-scenes responsibilities for poker media businesses. He also plays in cash games and tournaments. Harrington is currently doing consulting work and exploring business opportunities outside of the poker industry. You can contact him at Court@CourtHarrington.com.

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