I can't stand the bad runs

[William Wilson]

Tilted the other night. I lost two buy-ins then decided to go UP a level. Lost three buy-ins. Decided to go to bed, checked my email, then lost two more buy-ins using my laptop in bed with the sun up after my wife left for work.

I've played twice since and lost my buy-in within a half hour each time. I lost nearly 4/5 of my bankroll in 55 hours. I've gone from 5/10 limit one week ago to rebuilding at 1/2 when I return from my break, which should be awhile.

Boo hoo, right?

However, the biggest issue for me after I decided to break was the sadness I felt wandering around the house at 11 p.m. wondering what to do with my time. I used to read, used to write, used to do many things.

In the days since, I've begun to re-discover life outside poker, and my life has started to snap into focus. I'm more productive at work, I'm more attentive to my marriage and I'm taking care of tasks I've postponed for months.

I'm not done with poker, and I'm confident I'll be able to slowly rebuild once I'm ready, but a little perspective has been nice.

Anyone else feel this way?

[xTopdogx]

dude i am goin thru the same thing right now.

I have been a winner/winning for 1 1/2 years now in home poker games steadily. Over the past month or so i have had nothing but massive suckouts one after another.

And by this i dont mean I hit 2p and someone trips, i mean, All in prelop qq vs a4 and a4 hitting a str8 on the river, or floping bottom set with 44 and someone having qq for top set in the same hand same flop.

Whats even worse tho is the limit games we play. I cant hold anything up, nomatter what i hit on the flop, the turn and river screw me in the bum and i go down in flames.

One thing i did notice is loosening up my play helped me win once or twice in sng's. And i did experience huge winnings online when i jumped on Pokerstars, nearly 200 bux from just 50.

Psychologicaly, the only advice i can give u is to just keep telling urself u won doing the same thing u have been for x months/years and that this is just 1 month/2 months or whatever, other then that it boggles my mind how someone can call all in with a4 or constantly outdraw you, just keep with it or head out, thats why playing poker professionaly isnt as much fun as its cracked up to be. Your never guranteed to win.

[steamboatin]

you are doing the right thing

[B1GF1SHY]

I think of tilt as a person playing recklessly and throwing away his money after s/he takes some beats, I don't throw my money away or play recklessly, sometimes I may decide to but I of course go down to a puny stakes table. To be honest with you guys, you're kind of creeping me out with all this, "You're going to screw up your life!", and "You are on the edge, you're on tilt, you're going to lose all your money". Maybe that's how psychologists make their money, try to brainwash their patients into thinking there is something seriously wrong with them when it's not that serious at all.

[Al Schoonmaker]

You wrote: "I get annoyed with friends and family, and give them attitude. Others do that too though, are they messing up their life too?"

That question has an obvious answer: YES!

Poker is a game. It's a wonderful game, but it is much less important than relating well to your family and friends.

If you are nasty to the people dear to you over whatever happens at a poker table, you are taking the game MUCH too seriously.

So is anyone else who does so, even if poker is the source of his income.

Any marriage counselor can tell you of many divorces that have been caused by people's taking out their work frustrations on their families. Letting a GAME have the same effects is absurd.

Don't let poker take over your life and destroy your most important relationships.

Regards,

Al

[Al Schoonmaker]

Well stated, thank you.
Al

[Al Schoonmaker]

You wrote: "psychologists make their money, try to brainwash their patients into thinking there is something seriously wrong with them when it's not that serious at all."

First, I have stated on many occasions that I am not a therapist. I have never made a penny from giving therapy.

Second, your own words clearly indicate that you have a serious problem. Virtually everyone who has commented can see it.

Third, you KNOW you have a serious problem. That's why you posted the first message. It was clearly a "cry for help."

Fourth, you are extremely conflicted. You know you have a serious problem, but don't want to accept it.

Summary: You are in denial, and denial is extremely destructive. In fact, it is the foundation of the entire gambling industry. If people did not deny the reality that they can't beat casinos, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and other gambling cities would dry up and disappear.

Your denial is about something MUCH more important than whether you can beat craps or roulette. It's about the damage you are doing to yourself and the people around you.

Until you stop denying reality, you will continue to do a great deal of damage to yourself and the people most important to you.

I hope you stop denying your problem and start doing something about it.

Regards,

Al

[Al Schoonmaker]

When you're losing, NEVER move up. In fact, just thinking of it is a sign that your thought processes are off. You are too eager to get even, and the desire to get even has destroyed countless bankrolls.

When you're losing, the smartest thing is often to go home.

There will always be another poker game,and you do NOT have to get even tonight.

Regards,

Al

[K C]

I wouldn't suggest you necessarily should give up the game if you can't deal with this. It is part of the learning process, and some people have it easier than others. It is true though that if you want to continue profitably in this game you're going to have to get more control over this, or you will join the majority of players with just another expensive pastime.

With that said, here's what I usually suggest. Change games. If you're on a losing streak at cash games, switch to tournaments for awhile if you choose not to take a break. Or if you're a tournament player, go to cash games for awhile.

And a break here and there's a good idea anyway if you're playing for a living - kinda like a vacation. It does you no good to play unless you can bring your A game to the table, and when you can't, for whatever reason, you're better off not playing.

As far as taking it out on your family and friends, well that's just not a good thing at all. By the same token though they need to understand that this isn't just a game to you, and show a little compassion towards your problem.

KC
http://kingcobrapoker.com

[Boltsfan1992]

[ QUOTE ]
I think of tilt as a person playing recklessly and throwing away his money after s/he takes some beats, I don't throw my money away or play recklessly, sometimes I may decide to but I of course go down to a puny stakes table. To be honest with you guys, you're kind of creeping me out with all this, "You're going to screw up your life!", and "You are on the edge, you're on tilt, you're going to lose all your money". Maybe that's how psychologists make their money, try to brainwash their patients into thinking there is something seriously wrong with them when it's not that serious at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone around here has given you valuable information, and it is up to you to choose to accept it. We can't accept it for you nor would I personally even try.

Those times that you choose to throw money away at "puny stakes" tables is the correct definition of tilt. Because you don't take responsibility for it is the correct definition of denial. It is interesting that you have chosen to blame psychologists and those of us brainwashed souls for listening to those giving valuable advice. It's another way to avoid taking responsibility. It's your choice to stop doing that. Chances are that you are unhappy with one aspect of your life, and you may have won some at poker to temporarily fill that void. Well, now you are are losing...poker has not replaced unhappiness. That may be addiction.

The clinical definition for insanity is to continue to do the same thing over and over with the same results. Not saying that you are crazy in all aspects of your life, but at your current poker life - definitely. I read this thread with too much interest because you haven't listened to anything these fine people have said but by your very first post, you asked for help. You got it - it's up to you use it. Or if you choose not to, and continue to ignore everyone, well...how has that worked out for you so far?

PB