On a near 100BB downswing... (Please don't flame too much!)

[dawade]

Signed up for Party about two weeks ago. Acidentally deposited $50 (instead of $500) so my bonus was only $15, even after I deposited $450 more. Anywho, I got up to like 580/90ish and since then I've just plummeted. Seems like I never catch any cards, and when I do I'm either outdrawn or busted by rags. I'm making correct plays (at least I think I am - at this point I'm not about my game at all).

Every day starts out the same. I play good solid poker, but still lose about 5 BB then I win a decent size pot to break about even then lose some more, usually finishing 100+ hands down 5+ BB. I know this is .5/1 but this is extremely embarresing and utterly frustrating.

Any words of advice?

[Hojglad]

[ QUOTE ]
I know this is .5/1 but this is extremely embarresing and utterly frustrating.

[/ QUOTE ]
Even the best poker player in the world can have a downswing at 0.5/1.00. Just keep playing solid poker and the results will come. Post hands, reply to hands to receive input on how you played/would play them. If your downswing ends up lasting longer than a few weeks, you should probably re-examine your postflop play (the most likely cause of you losing money).

One thing I found during downswings is that I end up paying raises off too much. I can't remember the last time I got checkraised on the river and won without the (near) nuts. Stop paying off river and turn checkraises made by solid players. Every time you pay off one of these, it's 1 BB. Do this 5 times in 100 hands, and your winrate for those 100 hands just decreased by 5.

[dvashun]

Before you get flamed for whining, just wanted to say hang in there. Read or re-read SSH and just stay patient. Look for any leaks that may be causing the slide to be bigger than it should be. Take care and try not to let the beats be too bad.

[jrz1972]

Everybody in this forum has probably experienced at least one ~100 BB downswing, even at .5/1. I've had three (still clawing my way back from the third). Don't sweat it.

I find that hanging out in the forum and responding to threads helps keep my game on keel.

[Firefly]

Downswings happen. Variance sucks.
Ideally you may want to take a break. Just 2-3 days and come back with a new focus and vigor.
100BB isn't really a big deal variance wise (it feels like it, I know, been there) so maybe post some hands see if your way out of line or what have you.
Just my random thoughts, goodluck and may the fish be with you.

[Chex]

The answer to every god damn question is not fing "SSH"!!! ARGH!!!!!

[Ianco15]

Have you only been playing online for two weeks? It takes a while to get good even if you read books/forums. Experience is more valuble than anything anyone can tell you.

[deception5]

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The answer to every god damn question is not fing "SSH"!!! ARGH!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

It is at least part of the answer.

Also, if you are multi-tabling think about cutting down the number of tables until you are sure you are winning.

Post hands.

Comment on other's hands freely (this will force you to think about those hands and you can see if your advice is inline with some more experienced players).

Make sure you are following the tight ssh chart unless you are absolutely sure you are at a loose table. Even then it still is ok to use the tight chart.

Consider pokertracker and gt+ if you haven't already.

Consider jumping to other party skins for the bonuses (empire/multipoker/intertops/eurobet/pokernow).

If everyone is often folding to the blinds consider moving to another table.

[shadow29]

[ QUOTE ]
The answer to every god damn question is not fing "SSH"!!! ARGH!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Didn't see any references to SSH in the person's post to whom you were responding.

But in caes you're wondering, the answer to everything is SSH.

[deception5]

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Everybody in this forum has probably experienced at least one ~100 BB downswing, even at .5/1. I've had three (still clawing my way back from the third). Don't sweat it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree 100%. Just review, make sure you're playing good poker and move on.