How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

Running into my first serious streak of cold cards and a 106BB downswing, all online. Not sure how to handle it. Do you change your play? I have dropped down in limits and tightened up a little but still nothing hits. I'll go 4-5 orbits before getting a playable hand that bricks on the flop.

I seriously just want to quit. It's boring, it's no fun to see that Kh hit and then hope for the best only to see the 4s hit. Time and time again.

No this isn't a whining thread, I would like feedback on how people handle these kinds of things? I want to throw my monitor out the window the next time I see J5o. Like I said I've dropped limits to try and put the fire out, but it's like someone turned a switch somewhere.

Do you just keep playing like normal? Keep hoping for the best, or do you change your game at all and tighten up trying to lose less money during this streak?

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

screaming obscenties at the monitor and throwing things across the room seems to help

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Running into my first serious streak of cold cards and a 106BB downswing, all online. Not sure how to handle it. Do you change your play? I have dropped down in limits and tightened up a little but still nothing hits. I'll go 4-5 orbits before getting a playable hand that bricks on the flop.

I seriously just want to quit. It's boring, it's no fun to see that Kh hit and then hope for the best only to see the 4s hit. Time and time again.

No this isn't a whining thread, I would like feedback on how people handle these kinds of things? I want to throw my monitor out the window the next time I see J5o. Like I said I've dropped limits to try and put the fire out, but it's like someone turned a switch somewhere.

Do you just keep playing like normal? Keep hoping for the best, or do you change your game at all and tighten up trying to lose less money during this streak?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a lame little girl because I've hit my first downswing (only about 70BB in the last couple days)and I'm taking the rest of the week off to clear my mind and make sure I get off tilt.

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

You need to realize that -100BBs is at worst a moderate downswing. It's going to happen many many times during your poker career...

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

I understand that, so that's why I'd like to learn ASAP how to deal with such a swing. I plan on playing for a long time and I need to know how to deal with this. Do I drop several limits and wait it out? Do I play the same limits, just playing tighter?

In Pokertracker I went from semi-loose/aggressive (TLA-Eagle) to semi-loose/passive (unhappy face) during this downswing. I can't be as aggressive postflop because I never hit anything. At least when I was aggressive post flop I caught something so I wasn't completely spewing. It seemed to work in the lower limits for me. But now I am bricking left and right so I've check/folded when I hit nothing on the flop anymore trying to conserve chips.

Is this a wrong approach?

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

I know how you feel, when going through these downswings the money lost seems like a ton, and you feel that no matter how well you play you can't win. However, 100BBs is not a big downswing in the grand scheme of things. If 100BBs feels like a huge ammount, you may be playing beyond your bankroll and/or comfort level. I do something unconventional when I go through a big downswing, I like to buy myself something nice, it makes my previous winnings real, and motivates me to play more. This doesn't work for everyone though, because for some they start thinking "I've lost a big screen TV, month's rent, etc. on this downswing" and it makes it worse. The important thing is to remind yourself of the good times during the bad times so that you stay motivated and play yourself through it. If you feel that the downswing is hurting your play (tilt) then take a break and don't come back until you want to play for playing's sake (not because you want to make money).

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

I don't think you quite understand... 100BB swings are NORMAL. Why would you change anything?

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

100BB happens weekly...almost

not worth a post.

-SFWUSC

200 ish.... you can whine

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

"My advice to you would be to start drinking heavily" -- John Blutarsky.

100BB downswings happen. To everyone. If you feel like you are on tilt, get away from it. Play another type of ring game (stud, O8, etc.) or some NL SNGs.

The key is to not tilt and extend the downswing. It does not matter how good a player on is. Everyone gets hit with a 100 BB downswing periodically. Just play your best, good results WILL come.

Re: How do you handle cold cards/downswings?
 

Ask Jason Giambi.

Seriously, everyone goes through downswings. You have to put the past behind you, pretending nothing has changed. If your downswing is actually changing your playing style out of fear, you need a break, or dive down to the nano-limits where money doesn't matter to you, and just play fearless, strong poker without worrying about getting sucked out for the hundredth time in a row. Just clear your mind, however you can.