My Turn I Guess.... Taking A Break From the Game (Maybe For Good)?

#1 08-09-2006, 10:59 PM

I don't feel like rambling, so I'll be brief, though I do welcome lenghty responses and advice.

I have a problem. I feel I am an above average and winning tournament player. I am, however, a psychotic NL cash game player (only online, really). i.e., I just had back to back losing sessions that total somewhere near $20K. And yes, $20K is a boatload for me. Were the cards running bad? Yeah, I guess... but that doesn't change the fact that when they do, I tilt like a maniac.

So, in short, my problem is that tournaments are my game, but I don't really have time to play them regularly since I work 60 hour weeks. That leads me to play NL cash games. Sometimes I play really well, but no matter how much I hate to admit it, I am prone to monkey-tilt.

I was about to cash out every cent from Party and Stars, but figured I'd come here first. Someone talk some sense into me and give me advice that makes sense. Because honestly, the only thing that sounds like a good idea at the moment is to just stop playing for a while... a long while.

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Clayton · #2 08-09-2006, 11:02 PM

want $20 [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Clayton · #3 08-09-2006, 11:03 PM

serious advise:

dont play cash until you can get a furthered grasp of the game to contorl yourself. consider coaching.

also, if tournaments are your thing but you dislike MTT's, SNGs are always there.

DragonX · #4 08-09-2006, 11:03 PM

and SnGs take too much time?

pokerraja · #5 08-09-2006, 11:12 PM

ouch. for us to better understand what losing 20K means to you maybe you could tell us the state of your bankroll?

also, what stakes were you playing? and are you even a winning NL cash player at the stakes lower than what you were playing?

#6 08-09-2006, 11:20 PM

Roll = ~45K before these losses.

Lost 10K at 10/20 NL about a month ago (never should have been there in the first placed), and 8K at 5/10 tonight.

I made the mistake of thinking I was ready for 5/10 just because my roll was.

I'm definitely very losing at 5/10 and above, but am pretty sure I am winning at 3/6 and below.

woodguy · #7 08-09-2006, 11:36 PM

[ QUOTE ]

I made the mistake of thinking I was ready for 5/10 just because my roll was.

[/ QUOTE ]

Standard.

[ QUOTE ]

I'm definitely very losing at 5/10 and above, but am pretty sure I am winning at 3/6 and below.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I presented you with 2 slot machines, and one had a guaranteed payout of 110% and the other of 90% which would you chose?

If your ego is making decisions that your bankroll can't handle, then don't let it make those decisions.

You always have a choice of what to play. If you feel like you don't have a choice, quit playing for a while and talk to some people who understand that feeling.

Regards,
Woodguy

TomHimself · #8 08-09-2006, 11:41 PM

i read ur like 40/20. very hard to be a winning player with those #'s

NoahSD · #9 08-10-2006, 12:22 AM

Kramer,
Don't tilt. It's retarded and you know that, so when you feel tilt coming on, just stop. Go watch TV or go to a bar or whatever, and don't come back until at least the next day.

I really like the idea of moving to STTs. They solve your time problem. Plus, they teach you to play in a very disciplined, tight style, which may help with your tilt. It's a lot easier to remember not to fire a third barrel into a calling station after you've learned to fold AJo OTB behind two limpers.

Jurollo · #10 08-09-2006, 11:22 PM

Rob,
Seriously take a break for like a week. Even 3-4 days. If you lose a lot in cash games then dont play them. Turn to another form of poker like SNGs or MTTs. You are a good MTT'er (see 2006 WSOP) and SNGs can be fun too and once you buyin you buyin so you dont need to worry about losing a ton really quickly. I think that might be your answer in the long run and it will allow you to keep playing the game.
~Justin