How do you guys go on such insane downswings?

I honestly cannot understand it. Every day on this site I see some story about a 200+ BB downswing. How does this happen to so many supposedly good players? Do you tilt away 100BB? Start playing scared? Exagerate?

I've played poker for about 6 years and had one downswing of over 150BB. My pro friends almost never have a 200+ downswing (i.e., like once a decade). I understand variance, and I play a LOT. Maybe I am just insanely lucky, or maybe I just don't tilt away money when I am running poorly. But it's gotten to the point where I barely come here anymore because of the depression/paranoia that all the downswing posts threaten to generate. Before coming here, I was honestly under the impression that a really bad downswing almost never happens to an expert player, and that when it does it's really major stuff (like Doyle's).

Anyways, I'd like some thoughts on why do many players on here seem to hit major downswings so often. I have a theory (being too tight and slightly weak magnifies downswings greatly), but I'd like more opinions.

[captZEEbo1]

my theory: Anyone that goes on a downswing, it's mostly due to poor play and not variance, but you can't admit it! I play higih stakes NL and have never lost money two days in a row.

We are all so excited and over joyed at your awe inspiring skill as poker players. Bow down all. Are you accepting underlings to pass your knowledge on to? I will be the first in line.

[WordWhiz]

I play 6 max limit, which is very swingy. Here is an excerpt from what must be some of the craziest 12k hands ever. Note the 200BB upswing in less than 1500 hands, which was all lost back in the next 1000, finally bottoming out at a 350 BB downswing. And that ultra steep line at 11k? Try 290BB in 170 hands.

Anyone who doesn't experience these type of swings must be playing an uber-rockish game, or playing so successfully that he'd be better off moving up a level (or two).

[stillbr]

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I play 6 max limit, which is very swingy. Here is an excerpt from what must be some of the craziest 12k hands ever. Note the 200BB upswing in less than 1500 hands, which was all lost back in the next 1000, finally bottoming out at a 350 BB downswing. And that ultra steep line at 11k? Try 290BB in 170 hands.

Anyone who doesn't experience these type of swings must be playing an uber-rockish game, or playing so successfully that he'd be better off moving up a level (or two).



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Is no one else completely amaized by that 290bb upswing in less than 200 hands.

[bottomset]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I play 6 max limit, which is very swingy. Here is an excerpt from what must be some of the craziest 12k hands ever. Note the 200BB upswing in less than 1500 hands, which was all lost back in the next 1000, finally bottoming out at a 350 BB downswing. And that ultra steep line at 11k? Try 290BB in 170 hands.

Anyone who doesn't experience these type of swings must be playing an uber-rockish game, or playing so successfully that he'd be better off moving up a level (or two).



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Is no one else completely amaized by that 290bb upswing in less than 200 hands.

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yeah I saw that spike, and was like WTF, is that even possible, and what was the BB/100 for that little stretch 140+ simply insane

unless he took the nuts for 200BB on the river on interpoker or something

You play in Detroit? If so, pm me.
I think much of it has to do with discipline. The discipline to stop when running bad. The discipline to stay calm in a tough game or when facing adversity. The discipline to critique your own game, to be honest with yourself at all times.

[Weatherhead03]

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my theory: Anyone that goes on a downswing, it's mostly due to poor play and not variance, but you can't admit it! I play higih stakes NL and have never lost money two days in a row.

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Limit is much more swingy. But at the sametime I agree in a sense. Tilt has a great deal to do with downswings.

[etizzle]

nl holdem is much different from LHE. Also, i find your claim very hard to believe.

[chessforlife]

you're just very lucky.