I've had one losing week in the past few months, basically just getting slaughtered with bad beats. Apart from that each month typically has 2 good weeks, an average week and 1 week which is still profitable but disappointingly lean. I also play 3 tables which 80% of the time leads to 2 profit tables and one where I end up blinding away or just not quite winning good hands.

I think playing poker is making me slightly superstitious/neurotic, I find that when I have a few golden weeks I get a bit cocky about making money and then start to get hammered for a bit. The cliche about the most important think about poker is knowing how to lose starts to ring true when you have some big losses and have to shrug it off and play the same winning game. Though say this to family and friends and it confirms their thoughts that you're a degenerate gambler

Molina

I know what you mean about family and friends. Im going to Florida to visit relatives (leaving in a few hours). I would love to play a little while Im there, but if I do, they will definately think Im addicted to gambling.

I need a break anyway. I havent gone a day without playing in over 6 months. 10 days is a bit more of a break than I would like though.

Yeah, you're lucky when you win and an addict when who throws their money away when you lose. Pleasing everyone just isn't possible.

Molina

Mad Genius,

I've learned the lesson you just went through already. Last year, when I wasnt such a good player...Profitable but not much else....I jumped on a 10/20 limit table after losing to some horrifying beats. I left down a grand.

I think true poker players have all been through this at one time or another (espcially online players). Jump to the higher limit while on tilt. ugh..why do we do it??!! Anyway, I know it sucks, but think of it this way...you will never do that again. You will rebuild and command money again. It will never be thrown away so haphazardly into the eagerly awaiting players at 3/6 or whatever limit it may be. The more expereince we get, the better we can control our emotions and our bankrolls.

Today I lost a $350 pot with trip 4's to a runner runner full house...all-in on the flop on a $100NL table. That has been my poker life for the last week and a half. And it's a safe bet that I have been very unhappy (understatement) with all of these tough, tough beats. But I know I will get through this difficult time and be better for it. You will do the same.

Let us know when you start kicking some ass again...and good luck!

btw.. I just completely forgot to post my bankroll report for last week. Probably because it was so bad. I've been trying to forget this past week for a while now I'll post it tommorow but I'm gonna go hit the sack for now. later!

The younger gentlemen discussing moving up and down in the size of game they play amused me as did the word tilt.

I have anger management issues about people, not the cards dealt. Having several hands go against me in which I have the best of it inspires confidence in me. After a bad beat in Vegas, I do the one round walk around and arrive back for my big blind. I just cannot remember a time my play changed because of prior hands in years.

Since you online players can select games and come and go so easily, why would you play a single hand when you felt any anger, fear, doubt, or negative emotion?

Walk once around the block and you change your fight or flight juices.

I still can't accept the known loss rate. I do not like that losing day. Recently I lost almost a thousand dollar pot when my flopped set got beat by a higher set that arrived on fourth. When I take a loss as high as a good win, I bench myself a few days. If I make an error, I am angry at myself. If the other people begin to get on my easily ruffled nerves, I leave.

As for what other people think of poker players, that is worth a mention. I have dealt with that issue all my life. They do not believe you. They think you are a loser. So limit your discussions with non players. That is why I love this forum and the poker players that I see several days a week. We can talk.

When I was young, I'd win lots of money and treat my friends to dinners at fancy restaurants and have lots of parties and dress better than anyone around. When I'd go broke, I couldn't bum a cig from some of them. Others are glad you went bust and take a I told you so attitude.

If I tell my Mother, who was a travelling bridge champion and knows cards, I won, she insinuates I'm lying. If I tell her I lost, she says my play is slipping. Why tell?

I used to tell my girl friend that I won or lost and leave it at that.

Most people say, "I would never have the money to gamble like that." Neither would we unless we won that money. That is a key think family and friends do not understand. We won the money in the first place. We lose some of it back and then win more. But there is always more money coming in than going out on poker.

Another thread might be about non poker leaks. Johnny Hughes

Kenny,its bad runs like these that bring your seemingly unsustainable win rate back to reality. You have to go thru several good runs and bad runs before you really see what your long term win rte might be

Hi,

I have been playing on a semi-ish pro basis for a month now since I reached my temp BR target. As part of this I have been keeping more detailed record of my play. While I know I haven't been playing long I seem to be posting about 4 winnings days in 5. The good news is the winning days are normally a lot bigger than the losing days.

I have found maybe the hardest thing has been to deal with a session where I have lost maybe two or three buy-ins early and know I am playing for damage limitation. In the past my reaction might have been to walk away but so long as I feel my thinking is intact and I am happy with my decision making I have reloaded and gone back. This has greatly reduced potential disaster days. I know my game is winning, even if I am still learning and developing. This sometimes developes into a mantra but I think being mentally tough is maybe the hardest thing in this game we play. You just have to accept that sometimes you can be 100% right and still lose!

So far my family have been kinda cagey about my gambling. I guess when you say the word "gambling" then it does send alarm bells ringing in your nearest and dearest. I have had grief also off a few friends, one who in the end I sent a copy/paste verison of my NETeller statement to shut up (since she is actually a big fan, odd that). My girlfriend was quite pessimistic but she has since watched me and knows where I keep the records on earnings etc. The fact she now knows I am well into "other people's" money is what keeps her happyish.

Hope to keep you all posted on how things go. I look good for a modest profit in my first month playing... Fingers crossed.

Rich

Not everyone views emotional control as poker skill you work on and develop just like hand reading, focus, etc - they should.
You have to be able to gamble with the best of it, lose, and keep playing well. Have you ever seen a casino flip out because someone hit a single number on a roulette wheel and they had to pay him 35 to 1? Shut down the wheel so they could take a break and cool out? No way. They know they are going to take beats when they gamble with an edge, and they know that their customers occasionally win.
Know that you are going to take some silly beats before you start your session. Visualize yourself taking a 2-outer in stride and playing your best poker the very next hand. Take pride in how well you take a bad beat. Set a goal to take bad beats better than anyone else you know.
Hang in there, keep your head up, Mike