Frequent Topic but Humor me - When you Just Can't Win

[goldseraph]

Just looking for some advice that surely has been dispensed ad nauseum, but I rarely read this forum. I am a NL hold em single table tourny specialist. I've been playing nearly 2 years pretty seriously (about 10-30 tournies a week online and 2 a week live). For the last month, I seriously CAN'T win. I know everyone has bad runs, and I have had my share, but this is unprecedented for me.

I have failed to place in 15 straight tournies on Empire Poker, each time being busted out as a favorite. 10 of these times I was a 70-30 or better (QQ losing to AQ, AQ losing to A5 and the like). A few days ago I busted out my big buyin live tourny with a totally dominating situation which would have put me in the chip lead and in the money, instead I'm the last guy out of the money with KK losing to 66 that flops a set. I know that horrid losing streaks have been known to happen even to solid players (I usually average about a 25% ROI) but I am more worried about the psychological affect this is having on me.

The first couple of bust-outs I was slightly annoyed, the next couple piled on and I started to find it humourous as that's usually the best way I've learned to handle such things... just say 'that's poker' and chuckle. But once it got past about 10 tournies in a row it's really screwing with my confidence. I feel like I almost CAN'T win and when the cards flip over and I see myself at an advantage , I am EXPECTING to lose somehow. And, so far I have continued to.

I feel that due to this streak I have been playing weak-tight more than usual, and I don't have that rhythm and aggressive decisiveness that is essential to NL hold em. Anyone who has gone through a similar situation and can give me advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

[RicktheRuler]

I don't understand these posts.

[goldseraph]

Then don't read it, don't reply. Problem solved.

[Demana]

[ QUOTE ]
Just looking for some advice that surely has been dispensed ad nauseum, but I rarely read this forum.

[/ QUOTE ]

Read the forum. There are a gaggle-ton of posts about this.

Two other (normal) suggestions:

1) Take a week off and review some books.

2) You know you're expecting to lose, but you haven't figured out why you're expecting to lose. Once you admit to it, you'll be able to better control how you feel and reviewing the books will help you a lot more.

Hint: Unless you hold the immortal nuts, you may lose even if you are a 999999999999999999 to 1 favorite. You need to deal with it.

[Nalapoint1]

I am going through same thing.Last 6 months i have been knocked out of 34 MTT by suck outs.My AA vs K6o all in preflop, my AA vs QJo all in preflop, my KK vs A4o all in pre flop etc.I have not won a single coinflip my KK vs AK etc in over 3 months.Sooner or later it has to end. It gets to you. I expect to lose with AA and now fold with them pre flop if more than 2 other players are in pot.So far over the last 30 days it was correct fold. I would not have won onceyet.The hard part is trying to explain to your wife, who does not like"gambling" that you keep losing with the best hand.She does not know the first thing about poker but has no problem lecturing on how the odds are against you because "the house" always wins.I know the trend will end sooner or later according to the odds. Another part of the problem i think is that i am only playing in lower buy in tournys $10-$50 and players will call and raise pre flop with any paint or ace.I played earlier today where every pot had 5-7 players raised or unraised.It reminded me of play money tables.

[miajag81]

[ QUOTE ]
I expect to lose with AA and now fold with them pre flop if more than 2 other players are in pot.So far over the last 30 days it was correct fold. I would not have won onceyet.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL

[steamboatin]

I think you would get better results from one of the tourney forums. I all I know about tourneys is there is a lot of variance and i would expect that 25% in the money is unsustainable and your results are becoming closer to an average sustainable rate. It is my understanding that a good player averages 1 out od 10 but don't bet the farm on those numbers, I may be wrong.

[jordanx]

[ QUOTE ]
I have not won a single coinflip my KK vs AK etc in over 3 months.

[/ QUOTE ]

KK vs AK is not a coin flip.

[ QUOTE ]
I expect to lose with AA and now fold with them pre flop if more than 2 other players are in pot.So far over the last 30 days it was correct to fold.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is never correct to fold pocket Aces before the flop.

[ QUOTE ]
I know the trend will end sooner or later according to the odds. Another part of the problem i think is that i am only playing in lower buy in tournys $10-$50 and players will call and raise pre flop with any paint or ace.

[/ QUOTE ]

This means the games are very good and is not a problem.

[ QUOTE ]
I played earlier today where every pot had 5-7 players raised or unraised.It reminded me of play money tables.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello sir. Although you can't possible be serious, I encourage you to read more poker books before continuing to play.

[sumdumguy]

[ QUOTE ]
I expect to lose with AA and now fold with them pre flop...

[/ QUOTE ]
Me thinks you only think you play goot.

[ QUOTE ]
The hard part is trying to explain to your wife, who does not like"gambling" that you keep losing with the best hand.She does not know the first thing about poker but has no problem lecturing...

[/ QUOTE ]
Me thinks your wife is only pretending to be stupid. She probably knows your play, folding aces preflop, is not rated to overcome the "house edge" (rake/entry fee).

Question:
How's it feel? I mean how's it feel that your wife, presumably a beginner, probably knows more than you?

[poker-penguin]

[ QUOTE ]

How's it feel? I mean how's it feel that your wife, presumably a beginner, probably knows more than you?

[/ QUOTE ]

NH Sir