I can't stand the bad runs

[B1GF1SHY]

I've been having the worst run in poker I've ever had and this is the first month where I started off losing and continue to lose. I've been getting the worst beats and when I lose a big hand I go crazy. I don't want to take a break because I want and need the money but my mind is taking a beating, I keep getting really emotional and I get moody and then start taking it out on others around me. I punch or hit things also, which I regret later on because of the pain but I can't help myself.

Anyone going through a similar situation? What are you doing to try to keep yourself together or to keep your head from exploding? I need to stop hurting myself.

God, I really hate poker sometimes.

[KidPokerX]

Every poker player goes through these bad times. The winners are the ones who apply this negative energy to something more positive. Maybe you just need a break. Think about what you want and how you will get there. Most importantly you need to remember that poker is a long-term game. Relax and don't beat yourself up. If the game is getting in the way of other things in your life, or hurting relationships with those around you, then maybe a break isn't such a bad idea.
Best of luck.

[steamboatin]

You have to take a break now. Don't wait, you are tilting like a pinball machine if your post is accurate. Get another source of income if you need money, because in your mental state, you are guaranteed to lose.

[B1GF1SHY]

I rarely tilt. I'm a consistant winner and have been for the past 8 months, I just go crazy when I lose big pots and while I take out my anger and frustration on people around me, I don't usually take it out on the table by playing loose and reckless. Yes, I may need a break just for a change but I'm almost positive that I am not guaranteed to lose.

[steamboatin]

[ QUOTE ]
but I'm almost positive that I am not guaranteed to lose.


[/ QUOTE ]

Please add this to the list of famous last words:

It will be alright
Nothing is going to happen
I'll be right back
You can't miss it
Etc.

The problem is, when your brain is screwed up, you don't realize it is screwed up until it is to late.

[CountDuckula]

[ QUOTE ]
The problem is, when your brain is screwed up, you don't realize it is screwed up until it is to late.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is absolutely, 100% true! I had a bad experience at the Excalibur last week, in their 1-3 spread limit game. This was my very first spread limit game, and I started out just trying to learn the ropes and play solid poker. After a couple of hours, I was up $50 or so, and feeling pretty good. I then started taking some nasty beats, once with AA getting cracked by some clown holding 65o, who caught a 6 on the flop, then the 5 on the river; he completely ignored my bets and raises the whole way. At this point, I started to lose; I thought I was still playing reasonably well and had just been unlucky, but my stack started dwindling. Around 4am or so (I'd started playing around 8pm), it finally dawned on me that I was playing far too many hands, getting caught up in the psychology of "everyone else is limping to see the flop, and it's only a buck...". At that point, I realized it was time to leave. Stuck $160. Bleh!

But it was my own fault; I stopped thinking rationally, and started thinking emotionally. I kept telling myself, "Just a few more hands; I can still catch up against these fish!" I was wrong. I should have cut my losses hours earlier, when I could have ended up stuck $50 or so.

Tilt is a nasty, insidious thing, and it's easy to be utterly unaware of it until the damage is done.

-Mike

[Prelude008]

Hey Fishy,

I'm just curious what limits you are playing and how much you are losing. Are we talking losing about 30 at .5/1 or hundreds/thousands at 5/10 or above?

You said two things
- I want and need the money
- I get emotional and moody

I hate losing too, and I have noticed a correlation between the degree that losing effects me and the amount that I need the money that was lost. I also notice that when I am losing, I tend to play worse (loosen up and take off two many cards) trying to push a win, which usually results in more losing.

I don't think it is normal to punch walls. Like the others, maybe losing is effecting your game more than you think.

Best of luck to you...

[Al Schoonmaker]

The bad news is that it took you too long to recognize that you were playing badly. However, I must tell you that I and most experienced players have done it too (more times that I care to remember).

The good news is that you finally recognized your mistakes. Some people never do. In fact, the worse they play, the more they insist that they are just being unlucky.

If you keep monitoring your play, you will be miles ahead of people who don't.

Regards,

Al

[coffeecrazy1]

I understand the feeling very well. But, remember this: money you didn't lose is money you've saved. If poker is your income source but playing right now is -EV, then the best move is not to play...even if it means taking a break.

You have to be able to clear your head and play your A game at the table. If those "voices" in your head get to you, you will begin spewing money hand over fist even faster than a run of bad luck.

[bernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't want to take a break because I want and need the money

[/ QUOTE ]

If you really need the money, you shouldn't be playing.

b