Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

So, I read Mr wookies post and today took my first step into the world of 6-max 1/2. Played 750 hands and finished 5bb up over the session.

Thing is that I immediately went on a 55bb downswing over the first 200 hands which is more than I've ever experienced in such a short time before, then over the rest of the session bounced back on a 60 bb upswing. I'd heard 6-max had variance but this was a little more than I bargained for.

Is this what people experience all the time or have the poker gods just given me a baptism of fire here?

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

This really is nothing. Just keep playing, but keep working on your play.

Tiltaholic's collected variance and downswing threads.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

Yep. I went on a 150 bb downswing followed immediately by a 150bb upswing over the span of 2k hands.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

You also need to take a look at this thread. Not sure if it was included in the links Wookie provided.

I also recently began in 6max, after an already large downswing in other games.

I began my first 500 hands with a 100bb downswing. I've completed 2600 hands and I'm still down 70bb.

Sample is obviously too small to draw any conclusions on whether I'm a winner or loser. I just keep plugging away and try to play my best game.

I don't know what I'm getting myself into with this kind of game. I'm seriously considering moving to No Limit lol. Less variance, but you swing a whole lot faster there. No game is really safe. ::cues up scary music:: [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

It is likely you are closer to a breakeven player when first starting at 6-max so it will seem swingier. As you get better and your winrate gets higher it will seem less swingy.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

http://www.tveit.se/poker/earnings.jpg

These are my first 15k hands on 1/2 and 3/6 6max.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.tveit.se/poker/earnings.jpg

These are my first 15k hands on 1/2 and 3/6 6max.

[/ QUOTE ]

This looks about right. OP, do not get discouraged with results like these. They are expected. You will eventually become numb to the swings.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

Thanks all. I'm feeling reassured, at first I just wondered if I might be hopeless at 6-max but if the swings are just part of the experience then I'm not overly worried.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

HAHAHAHA

The swings have only just begun.

Re: Is 6-max always this swingy?
 

I have also found the swings at 6-max to be higher, but as long as they keep swinging back up (fingers crossed), I just ignore them.

I do have a theory about them however. 6-max allows you to get in a greater number of hands per hour due to the faster nature of the game, and because you're playing more hands, the effect of a spell of bad play is greater. I find that when I bring my 'B' game to the table, I get punished at a higher rate, if that makes any sense.