When you just can't win

[PoBoy321]

I feel that this is a constant problem with many poker players, and I'm sure that it has been discussed before, but I'm currently coming off an awful session against an awful player who I just couldn't beat. I play small stakes no-limit and was at a table with an absolutely awful player who just could not lose a hand. He called raises with literally any 2 cards, and if he didn't outdraw me on the flop, he outdrew me by the turn or river. I lost a total of 5 buy-ins to him, but just could not leave the table because there was so much money to be made (he was sitting with about 750 BB) and he was so awful. Still, I could not win a pot from him, no matter what kind of an edge I had (AA cracked by 57o, AK top 2 pair against A3o hitting runner runner straight, among others). I feel like I was playing incredible poker, but I just could not win, no matter how well I played.

Now here is really my problem. I feel like I played fine at the time, but now I'm afraid to sit down at a table. I feel like no matter how well I play, I will always lose, although I know that mathematically, that's just not true. So does anyone have any advice to help me get back to the tables?

[KidPokerX]

grow up?

[Grisgra]

There has been lots of advice in this forum -- hell, it seems like a good third of the posts are of this nature /images/graemlins/smile.gif. Browse them. There's lots of different advice given, and it depends on the player. I've heard all of the following:

1) Move down to a lower limit for a couple days/week. If your beats continue, it'll be less stressing. If you start winning, well, you'll know that you can win again.
2) Take a couple days off. It's just poker. Stop obsessing! It'll be there when you come back.
3) Get on the damn horse again! If your session starts average/good, you'll shake off the beats in no time. Tough it out.
4) Take a break . . . but review your play/do a little reading. Post some hands. Make sure that you're not playing tilty.

I lean towards #2 and #4 for the really bad runs, #3 for the moderately bad (single-session) runs. But there's nothing wrong with #1 if it works for you.

[steamboatin]

Sometimes its just like that. I began to feel a little better about it after reading Gambling theory and Other topics by Mason Malmuth. He explains it very well.

[PoBoy321]

I'm deciding which 2+2 book to read next. I just finished ToP, I'm halfway through HEPFAP and I'm gonna get into 7CSFAP after that. Not to hijack this or anything, but is Gambling theory and other topics a good book to throw in there, and should I kick myself for not having read it earlier?

[steamboatin]

It has some poker in it but it is mostly a collection of essays about gambling in general. I found it extremely helpful in understanding situations like this where a total fish is cleaning up.

It used to put me on tilt but now I find myself being amused when it happens.

Al Capone JR told me to read the book after one of my rants and it was good advice. I consider it a must read for anyone serious about poker.

[Mayhap]

There's no way you can stop a snow storm. However, you can shovel it in shifts rather than doing it all at once and gettin a heart attack.
/M

[jskills]

Seems to be something in the air lately. I have been experiencing the EXACT same phenomenon myself the last couple of days. I feel like I am playing just as I always do, but it's like I just take a step fotward and get knocked 3 steps back by a suckout.

Over the past 1000 hands, I've had aces 4 times and lost every time. I've had kings hold up twice out of the last 6 times. Queens lost 5 times out of 5. 10s lost 2 out of 2 times. AK has been break even. I know it's a small sample size, but it has admittedly started to cause the same feelings of trepidation and doubt you are experiencing when thinking of sitting down at a table again.

It's even worse when there is that one obviously ridiculous player who is playing 70% of his hands, and calling everything with any two cards (and winning!). I had this guy cap preflop with me when I held AA and he had 26o. The flop came A2J. I couldn't get money in the pot fast enough. The turn came a 2 and you know the rest. It's tough when you wait and wait and wait for the right cards, and even connect with the flop only to get sucked out. Obviously he will not prevail over the long run and I'm sure I will, but it doesn't make it easier to take at the time - especially after he rivers me twice in row afterwards playing J4o and K9o ...

When you're playing tight aggressive (correctly), you're counting on putting money in the pot only when you have the best of it. And when you lose (especially to a sucker), it takes its toll in terms of costing you money (obviously), time (lots more waiting for good hands to attempt to recover), and mentally (erosion of confidence).

I believe the solution is to simply look at your past performance and if you're a winner, stay true to your game. Don't change anything. Make sure you're relaxed and in the right state of mind before you play again - I find that taking a day off or so helps put some distance between you and the awful memory of a nightmare session ...

[Grisgra]

[ QUOTE ]
Over the past 1000 hands, I've had aces 4 times and lost every time. I've had kings hold up twice out of the last 6 times.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got aces five times in 400 hands last night, kings twice, and jacks once. All of them held up, and I got at least a little action on all of them.

Just wanted to comfort you, they'll hold up eventually /images/graemlins/smile.gif.

[DemonDeac]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm deciding which 2+2 book to read next. I just finished ToP, I'm halfway through HEPFAP

[/ QUOTE ]

have u read SSHE yet? cuz that book is great for the limits, as well as teh opponents, u say ur playing.

[Bluffoon]

First off don't be such a sissy. So you lose a few bucks. If the amounts lost are hurting you financially then drop limits you are playing too high.

My advice is to shrug it off and play through it. After you play through several such streaks you will be familiar with the drill and even start to enjoy them. That's how poker is. Don't fight it it only makes it worse.

[jskills]

Thanks bro.

I know they will. Aces win 77% of the time right? If I check Poker Tracker, win % is sitting right about there.

It's just about getting back on the horse and playing the same way.

[all_in15111]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Over the past 1000 hands, I've had aces 4 times and lost every time. I've had kings hold up twice out of the last 6 times.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got aces five times in 400 hands last night, kings twice, and jacks once. All of them held up, and I got at least a little action on all of them.

Just wanted to comfort you, they'll hold up eventually /images/graemlins/smile.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

join the club...ive had aces cracked 5 times in a row as of writing this, the worst being a guy who 3 bet the flop with t4o and hit two pair on the river...i've also lost with kings 4 times in a row, with 2 of them being runner runner flushes...so i guess id say im not the luckiest player right now /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Wyrm2]

Another thing that will help you is when YOU get a suckout. I was in the same situation you were in a couple of weeks ago, everything getting sucked out horribly. After another session with a few of these I got dealt KQ, and flopped top 2 pair on a board of KQ5 rainbow. Capped on the flop, 3 bet on the river (I began to think I was beat, surprise) and the beautiful Q fell on the river to beat his set of fives.

After that, all was good with the world again /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Seriously, bad beats happen, if you play enough poker you will take a dozen in a row or so, but in the end if you are a winning player, you'll win. Keep your eyes on your play and make sure you are playing right and the rest should fall back into place eventually.

[Warren Whitmore]

While in Las Vegas in a cheap hotel (the Thunderbird) many years ago a happened upon an old black and white twighlight zone. The star of the show was robbing a jewelry store and was shot by the cops.

In the next scene we see him talking with Saint Peter. Saint Peter tells him that because of the way he has lived his life he can live wherever he wants and do wherever he wants. He chooses a huge mansion compleate with lots of beautiful woman. Spends his days shooting pool and gambling at the local casino.

After a while he calls Saint Peter over and says This is great the booze the broads and the gambling. Everytime I hit a pool ball it goes in. Everytime I gamble I win its no fun I want to lose once in a while. Saint Peter says we cant do that here sir you can only win at everything you attempt.

He than says I don't belong here I have been evil all of my life. I cant stand it here anymore send me to the other place. Saint Peter says this is the other place.

I often think of this show when I am on a losing streak. If I won everyhand I would soon lose intrest in poker and quit. In short the only reason I play poker is for the losing streaks. I don't like to admit it but its true.

[KKbluff]

Good point. I never i have been experiencing a bit of a bad run myself these past few days. Never thought to look at it that way. thanks!