Tips to reverse the curse? (3 Viewers)

[dpeks13]

I'm not a superstitious person, but how do you clear your head when you are seeing a particularly rough run of cards lately? Specifically, I play in a monthly league, which when I have decent cards it's beatable, but 3 out of the last 4 months I've had an epic level cold streak. Last night I got KK the 2nd hand I saw, and then didn't see another face card for an hour and a half. Playing my ass off with marginal hands making moves, but there's only so much you can do with 10-3o every hand. I could use some tips on how you turn the tides. (no animal sacrifices, but open to *some* maiming of enemies).

 

[KHarp1]

I just try and play through it. I've been in one of these periods for about 20 years now, but, I'm working my way through it by continuing to have a good attitude, bringing enough money to reload several times, and, playing every hand like I have AA. Good luck!

 

[DrStrange]

I find folding works well. It only takes one big hand a session to make it a winner.

Patience -=- DrStrange

 

[Taghkanic]

Wish I knew. I’ve been on a cooler for 8+ months. I’ll spare you the gory details, but basically:

(A) If I’m ahead, the villain will catch their outs almost every time. Even when it is two outs.

(B) If I’m behind, I will almost never catch up. Even when I have a massive draw on the flop, say the nut flush and open-ended straight draws.

Flop a boat? I can’t get too excited. They’re gonna river a bigger boat.

I don’t know how many more times I can tell myself that it’s normal variance, and I should want people to play badly against me… Because there seems to be no end in sight.

 

[dpeks13]

THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IN THIS POST!

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Ooof that can be brutal. Eh, just have to start spending that time reading people if its the same group each month. What kind of ranges are they playing, and how does that affect what you're doing? Especially if someone is consistently winning or placing, keep noting their activity level and what hands are shown down.

No good way out, discipline and patience till you start catching cards but I find guessing what people have (silently, don't be that guy out loud) and ranging helps me pass the time.

 

[Organista1]

I start drinking heavily to make me feel better.

 

[Taghkanic]

THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IN THIS POST!

I can give you the usual pablum that you just need to keep playing solid poker, and trust that the variance will swing back your way.

But sometimes it can continue a very long time.

If you plot the bell curve of poker players’ “luck,” not everyone is going to wind up at the midpoint of the curve, even over their lifetime. There will be players who get sucked out on more than others, and players who catch one-outers more. The math applies to everyone as a group, not as individuals.

 

[dpeks13]

Ooof that can be brutal. Eh, just have to start spending that time reading people if its the same group each month. What kind of ranges are they playing, and how does that affect what you're doing? Especially if someone is consistently winning or placing, keep noting their activity level and what hands are shown down.

No good way out, discipline and patience till you start catching cards but I find guessing what people have (silently, don't be that guy out loud) and ranging helps me pass the time.

This is what I mean by playing my ass off to finish middle of the pack. There are a ton of solid players and a few decent players, and some weak players. I know when to push the limits of the bluff/aggressiveness/etc, but there's only so much magic that pull out of my...hat.

 

[ekricket]

THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IN THIS POST!

Quit looking at your cards. I’m serious. Play the players.

Position position position position will save you a million times. Play a few hands from the cutoff or button without looking until the showdown. Don’t play any other position no matter the cards.

Here is a mantra for you

“Don’t get involved unless you HAVE to”

If you’re in the blinds and it’s limped around, you have to play.
If it’s late position and you have a top ten hand you have to play.
If it’s anything else - you don’t have to play.

 

[KHarp1]

I play in a game where at least 2 people play nearly every hand, they may fold 5-10 hands a night in a 6 hour session. I've tried changing my range, but, repeatedly the Q4 off ("that's my favorite hand" says one guy) will hit two pair on the river after calling every strong bet I make. They always "just felt it was going to hit."

I don't get rewarded for playing the shit hands, they seem to nearly always get rewarded. Gets frustrating.

I'm more of a nit, and, am known for pounding my premium hands pretty hard, and, last week I re-bought ($100)and had pocket 9's a few hands later. I moved all in and had one caller...who verbalized that I make that move when I have AA, thinks about it and calls with KK... the flop brings a K. The poker gods appear to be against me. Even if I would have had AA I still would have been beat. In all fairness, he had a good hand, but, in talking it out he even says "I know I'm beat, but, I just can't lay this down."

So, I decided I'm not playing holdem any more. Omaha from now on!

 

[Poker Zombie]

When I find I'm stuck in the middle of the pack, I try to play more cash games.

Tournaments rewards the best/luckiest 10-30% of the field (depending on pay structure). Cash games punish or reward considerably less unless you are on the extreme of skill/luck.

Beyond that, record your sessions if possible. A cell phone in the pocket or on the table. Then you can go back over the footage later ad see if you are vpip'ing too much/little raising OOP, or making other "foolish" errors.

What you remember as spot-on play can appear shockingly different 3 weeks later.

 

[merkong]

“Take two weeks off then quit.”

- The Common Man Dan Cole

 

[ChipFinderSK]

Stop playing tournaments

 

[JMC9389]

Play cash

 

[BarrieJ3]

The comments so far are tighten up, fold more, I’m a nit and going through same things, it sucks losing to shi**y calling stations, etc.

If you enjoy the process, sure!

But for me personally that sounds like depths of hell previously unknown.

I would: Mix it up!

Find a diff game to reset. Play tourneys? Find cash. Play holdem? Play PLO or circus. Play circus? Go play the ponies. Or even take one game or two, and assume a totally different style. If you normally drink, don’t. If you do, switch to chewing on peyote.

 

[Phoe9x]

You can pay me $20 and I’ll cast a spell to reverse your luck. Contact my DMs for payment options

 

[LotsOfChips]

It sounds corny, but mental attitude can play a role.

I find that when I take the mindset that I'm going to get crappy cards or get sucked out on, I invariably get crappy cards or get sucked out on.

But when I take the mindset that good cards and chips will flow my way, then that tends to happen more often. I still have to fold a lot of garbage hands, but it seems that there is less garbage and more playable hands coming my way.

Also I find that accepting variance helps to soften the blows of getting sucked out on, knowing that I played the cards correctly. If I'm 85% to win on the flop or turn, but end up losing it all because someone called my all in with 15% equity, then that's poker, but I am happy to have gotten my money in good.

 

[dpeks13]

You can pay me $20 and I’ll cast a spell to reverse your luck. Contact my DMs for payment options

Finally. Someone trying to solve the problem.

 

[MrRossKeys]

Wish I knew. I’ve been on a cooler for 8+ months. I’ll spare you the gory details, but basically:

(A) If I’m ahead, the villain will catch their outs almost every time. Even when it is two outs.

(B) If I’m behind, I will almost never catch up. Even when I have a massive draw on the flop, say the nut flush and open-ended straight draws.

Flop a boat? I can’t get too excited. They’re gonna river a bigger boat.

I don’t know how many more times I can tell myself that it’s normal variance, and I should want people to play badly against me… Because there seems to be no end in sight.

THIS is literally what is happening to me lately! I started out winning consistently maybe 15-20 sessions last year, then since October I seem to have hit the absolute opposite variance that allows every player to catch up no matter how unlikely.

I'm not a superstitious person, but how do you clear your head when you are seeing a particularly rough run of cards lately? Specifically, I play in a monthly league, which when I have decent cards it's beatable, but 3 out of the last 4 months I've had an epic level cold streak. Last night I got KK the 2nd hand I saw, and then didn't see another face card for an hour and a half. Playing my ass off with marginal hands making moves, but there's only so much you can do with 10-3o every hand. I could use some tips on how you turn the tides. (no animal sacrifices, but open to *some* maiming of enemies).

My response to this is: consider taking a break from playing. Poker should be fun (unless it's your job). Winning can be the goal, or having fun can be the goal. I've found that when I start obsessing over the many many many sessions where bad things happen to me that taking a break from playing causes my brain to reset and begin to just enjoy playing whether I win or lose.

 

[bigblind]

patience - just got to play thru the dry spell

 

[Goldfish]

I am extremely superstitious. If I am running bad I go to the local Good Luck store and buy new good luck stuff. I have turtles, elephants and good luck stones and trinkets everywhere. Hahaha. And yes, this is really a store and I am probably its best customer.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

If luck is a real thing than so is unlucky. I think it was LuckyChewy that said it best but I can't find the link.

I've had a rough year myself as far as cards go. Starting hands, flops, runouts & everyone's least favorite: running into a monster!

It turns around TONIGHT!!!

(when everything else has failed speak it onto existence)

 

[TheBigTater]

Try offering Jobu a cigar & some rum, cause even Jesus can't fade a one outer on the river......

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

Try offering Jobu a cigar & some rum, cause even Jesus can't fade a one outer on the river......

View attachment 1473784

Are you trying to tell me Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?

 

[surfik]

get a break for a month, you will see your mistakes clearly

 

[HiveKueen]

I find that when I’m not getting cards I “try harder” which can mean playing weaker hands, calling lighter, raising bigger/smaller (or limp when I should raise)… none of which help at all and I realize I just need to tighten back up to my normal ranges. If you think you are straying from +EV play, take a break, study instead of play, watch the pros.

 

[SteveEH]

I think you need to better set your expectations - it's a tournament and you must get lucky. A 3 tourney cold streak is not an epic downswing, it's just variance.

Now's a good time for some introspection to see if you're still playing your solid game, or trying too hard which will ultimately lead to more losses.

 

[JP1984]

One of the best poker books I've ever read

 

[Klobberer]

I just shut it down and play super tight. Being an obvious nit allows for great bluffing opportunities. Just pick your spots carefully and hang on. I've folded my way to the money on several occasions. All the chips you save with mediocre hands makes the double up that much more valuable.