downswing = depression

[Poker_Ace]

Well, I can relate. I have had those kind of swings in the options market. I am an attorney, not an options trader, but I have had some success trading options. Life is awesome on the up days; life absolutely sucks on the down days.

My advice, and it is worth what you pay for it:

1. Don't let your grades suffer. Note, I am not saying that you necessarily need to go to class. I was not big on attending class in my day (long ago). If you ordinarily miss a day or two, okay; but, if poker losses affect your performance, take some time off from poker.

2. Take some money off the top. Nothing sucks worse than being up 100k and losing it back. When you have a big up day, take some out and do something with it. Spend it, invest it, whatever; just have something so that on the down days you can say "well, this sucks, but at least I took that 20k when I was up and did . . . with it."

3. Move down a bit. If the swings bother you this much, you are risking too much. I left this one for last because it is easier said than done.

Kudos to you -- I wish I had these types of problems when I was a student.