11 things to help pull out of a downswing...

krishanleong · #1 09-12-2005, 09:42 AM

Things you can do.

1. Play less tables.
2. Turn off distractions. (TV, music,)
3. Move down in limits.
4. Conciously take more physical time with decisions.
5. Tighten up preflop. (21/15-16)
6. Tighten up postflop. (Look for a little extra in your odds)
7. Table select really really hard.
8. Use tiltblocker.
9. Get some coaching from someone solid at your limit.
10. Review your hands after a session in PT.
11. Post questionable hands to 2+2.

If you make a whiney LC downswing post without having tried a least 5 items on this list, I reserve the right to call you a ninny. We've all been through it.

Krishan

xCEO · #2 09-12-2005, 09:59 AM

thanks

sthief09 · #3 09-12-2005, 10:01 AM

I vote for this to be a sticky

Wynton · #4 09-12-2005, 10:03 AM

I have a question about table selection.

If you're on a downslide, do you have any different criteria for selecting a table? When running well, I eagerly look for tables with big average pots. But my inclination is to be more cautious when on a downswing. Perhpas that merely compounds the problems.

krishanleong · #5 09-12-2005, 10:07 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have a question about table selection.

If you're on a downslide, do you have any different criteria for selecting a table?

[/ QUOTE ]

Imagine that the better your table selection is, the higher your expected BB/100 is. If you normally select tables with 2 bad players, select tables with 3 for a while. If you normally don't use relative position in your table selection, add that in for a while. Doing this lowers variance, and increases your expected BB/100 at the expence of your hourly earn since table selection take time out of your playing.

Krishan

Nietzsche · #6 09-12-2005, 10:14 AM

Great post. All important points, especially no. 1. Almost everytime you hear people whine of big downswings they play 4+ tables.

ALL1N · #7 09-12-2005, 10:25 AM

My gal is gonna kill me if she knows I leaked that video. Please remove it from your avatar ASAP.

#8 09-12-2005, 10:27 AM

I've had good results picking tables with 1BB/player in the average pot (i.e. $12 pot at 1/2 6-max), although I'm sure that would decrease at the higher limits. I find more loose passive players and therefore more people limping into the pot with crap. If I go for the table with the highest pot, it's usually got too many maniacs for my liking. That's the sort that I want to avoid on a downswing/tilt. YMMV.

JoshuaD · #9 09-12-2005, 10:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Doing this lowers variance, and increases your expected BB/100 at the expence of your hourly earn since table selection take time out of your playing.

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't, doesn't, doesn't, doesn't lower variance.

It just seems like that because your EV is much higher. Variance is measured as the deviation from your EV. However, most people's intuitive understanding of variance is deviation from 0.

So you will have less losing sessions, but you will still have the same variation from your EV.

#10 09-12-2005, 10:35 AM

Revised List:

1. Play better.
2. Keep playing better.

I'm serious. You should play as tight as the table warrants; IMHO there are no tables where a VPIP of 21 is optimal -- considerably too low. You should never play distracted. You should always take enough time with your decisions, etc., etc.

Running bad happens; there's no reason to let that change your game. But, as ALWAYS, it should prompt you to re-evaluate your play to see whether you have leaks. If you're playing well then things will turn around. If not, then see #1, above.