how close have you come . . .

hutz · #1 10-06-2002, 02:38 AM

to quitting? I've been playing for about a year now and feel like I have a firm grasp on the mechanics, odds, etc. I recognize that I have holes (who doesn't?!), but they do not account for the way I have been losing the past month or so. I'm down about 130 big bets, 85% of which are from people hitting 4-or-fewer-outers or having their 72s hit a Q72 flop v. my KK.

This is not a bad beat post. Instead, it's a few questions for those of you who are far more experienced than I am: What's the closest you came to dumping this silly game for good? Once you hit that point, what got you past it?

I just took a week off, re-read the basic books, and studied my hand histories. Upon resuming play this weekend, the string of beats picked up right where they left off. I'm teetering on the edge of waving goodbye to this vile temptress called poker. Any help pulling me back to the dark side (continuing to play) would be appreciated.

Warren Whitmore · #2 10-06-2002, 09:08 AM

Very close indeed. What brought me back was dropping down a level, learning to play all games equally well so I could chose the weakest game in the room, and limiting myself to 6 hour sessions. My win rate has improved slowly but steadily from that point forward.

Herb N. · #3 10-06-2002, 10:33 AM

I ve never wanted to quit playing this game,but I do seem to enjoy the drive home less when I lose..Bad beats are part of this game.When a player hits a 22-1 shot on you and the pot was offering him 8-1pot odds you were lucky to have a fish like that in the game.When your getting too many beats you realy got to have a real look at your game.Part of playing winning poker is raising to eliminate players even though you Proubly have the 2nd best hand.Another thought how is your table image? NEVER talk about your beats,or loses.Rember if you have the best hand aganist one player your a big favorite against 2/3,or4 you proubly not the favorite to beat the field even though you have the best at the start.Again take a good look at your game,beter yet find a good player get him away from the table and ask him to critic your faults.Can you afford to play for the stakes your playing?Poker can be a life long fun hobby.Hobbys cost money..have fun..most players do lose..to lose and not have fun is a double bummer..STUDY have fun LEARN have fun,AND hopefully your game will reach the level of a winning player..ITS NOT EASY..To be a winning player today ya gatta do a latta tings rite,and you cant do many things wrong this includes table image,bankroll size,Skill,Picking the right game,playing at night,getting up a small loser that night,Zero Tilt,I could go on,and on like I said you CAN become a life long winner but it aint easy..have fun!

scalf · #4 10-06-2002, 03:03 PM

[img]/forums/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img] you can never leave...lol...gl [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] take a break...gl

Jeffrey Biship · #5 10-06-2002, 03:51 PM

I've thought about it many times.

What frustrates me more than people getting lucky against me is knowing I'm making mistakes and being seemingly unable to stop making them. What's more frustrating than that is wondering what mistakes I'm making that I don't even know about.

For me, poker is more of a hobby than a pasttime. I have a really lame (wild cards, guts, scarney hi-lo), low limit ($.10-$1.00) weekly home game that I play in. Other than that, if I play in a casino ten times a year, it's a good year. Yet, when I lose my $3.00 in that Monday night game, I stew until about Wednesday.

What brings me back? I'm truely interested in the game and getting better. I would also suggest a TOTAL poker sabatical. Stay away from the forum. Put your books away. Stop all poker activity for a month or so. If, like that girlfriend who was great in bed, but a total nut case 99.9% of the rest of the time, you find that you stop thinking about it as time wears on, maybe you'll be better off.

If a couple months go by, and you still find yourself thinking about it and truely miss playing, well, come back and give it another go.

That's my advice.

Jeff

#6 10-06-2002, 09:22 PM

Quite, there is no shame in folding. Or at least take an extended break.

There could be something else deeper that is causing you to play or (stay with) loosing hands.
Other priorities can cause you to be in an “unclear state of mind”. And subconsciously you are playing bad cards or staying with beat hands too long because you want to loose so you can go back to a more important issue.

Maybe slowdown and take breaks to evaluate your priorities; Faith, important relationships, work. Ask the question “is everything ok in these respects”, and write down an honest answer or get an option from a non involved third party If something is out of whack do not play again until all is square.

If you have a solid game, and a clear head you will make the correct plays, and your play can turn around. In the worst case a break will slown down that nasty loosing streak.

#7 10-06-2002, 11:15 PM

Only two things really matter in life: love and work. Unless you're a pro, poker isn't in either category.

PokerBabe(aka) · #8 10-07-2002, 01:48 AM

MRBAA - I believe a famous author said that man's meaning in life comes from "Love and Work"? Do you recall who it was? Freud, perhaps? [img]/forums/images/icons/ooo.gif[/img] I would add health to the list of things which "really matter in life". Babe

PokerBabe(aka) · #9 10-07-2002, 02:27 AM

hutz- First of all, a 135 big bet loss in a month is not at all impossible in poker. If you use a guide like 20 bb max loss per session, you are only talking about losing 7 sessions a month here. I don't know how many sessions/hours you play, but If these 7 sessions represent only a third of your monthly play, you are winning 2/3 and losing 1/3 of the time. It is frustrating to lose, but you must remember those terms you've read about called "variance" and "regression toward the mean". Nobody wins all the time, and even excellent players have losing years. You should not be discouraged at this early stage in the game just because you had one lousy month. I haven't read all the other posts, but one person suggested dropping down in limit. I think that is a good idea. Game selection is another factor. If you are playing in a loose agressive game, perhaps a softer, more passive one might yield better results. However, if you are not confident in your ability to win over the long term and if you are unable to play your "A" game while on a losing streak, you will probably not be successful. Take care and good luck. Babe

SittingBull · #10 10-07-2002, 03:50 AM

excellent player in his division will have a losing year IF he plays 2000 hrs or more that year.
I [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] f he does,then I don't believe he is an excellent player for his division(Game limit,structure,etc.).
Of course,I'm basing that upon the fact that I'm a "good" player,but not "excellent",in my DIVISION. In the 10 years I've been playing in a casino,I played over 12K Hrs. and NEVER had a losing year.

Happy pokering,
Sitting Bull