Running bad...how to stop it?

[PokerEveryDay]

Is taking time off the only way? Losing with over pairs heads up and losing with sets time after time is getting old. I know I have played some hands bad, but in certain cases (like I mentioned), if I saw my opponents cards, I would have done the same thing with the same results. I guess that is why it's called "running bad." Also missing just about every draw to boot. Oh, this has been going on for almost 6 weeks. I know it happens and it could be worse. What do you guys do when your running bad? Or, do you just play through it? Any way to reduce the pain would be appreciated.

Thanks

[KoH]

If missing draws and getting unlucky is the only issue, then just keep playing through it unless those beats are making you play off your game.

After a solid 3 years of success, I too have been going through a rut. Over the course of the last 4 sessions I've lost twice, broken even once, and was up by a very marginal amount (just about paid for the gas and food coming back from AC :P) once. I'm thinking of taking a break not because I've been running bad but because I'm getting frustrated. I've analyzed my game and I feel as though I'm playing better than ever but...things just aren't happening and I'm afraid my play will deteriorate as I might, even unconsciencely, try to "make something happen."

[T50_Omaha8]

[ QUOTE ]
Over the course of the last 4 sessions I've lost twice, broken even once, and was up by a very marginal amount

[/ QUOTE ] 4 sessions is absolutely nothing.

[PokerEveryDay]

Yeah 4 sessions isn't even a blip on the map when running bad.

I started thinking about how running bad for x amount of time over a 12 month span is normal. Most winning players will run bad for several months in a year. I now believe running bad is a good sign. Say what? Here is my theory on that statement, it's quit simple. Wether or not your in with the best starting hand, lets assume YOU HAVE the best hand after the flop and play it correctly (as if you had seen your opponents cards) yet you lose the hand. Your constantly in the lead and have the best of it, but you continue to get sucked out on. Winning players experience more suck outs.

This simply tells me that my opponents are getting out played and is why over a 12 month span I WILL have the money. So, without the suck outs/running bad you would surely just be a consistent loser in the game. This goes to show how and why there is more variance winning players will experience. I suppose if all losing players consistently lost, then the game would dry up. They need to win sometimes to keep coming back. This is just like casino gambling, most people will just enough times to keep coming back to ultimately lose in the long run.

[KoH]

Oh I hear ya on the "if bad players didn't get lucky there wouldn't be any games worth playing" but...12 months??? What kind of bankroll are you running on? I generally retain 200x the big bet and typically buy-in for 20x the big bet.

This whole losing repeatedly thing hasn't been part of my experience since I started playing seriously a few years ago. I mean I would have isolated losses, which were to be expected...but wow, 12 months...my poor savaged bankroll.

The demoralizing thing is that the last table I was at had to be, and I'm not kidding, the SOFTEST table I ever saw. I knew it from the moment I sat down and I was right...lady luck just saw fit to kick me in the pants. What a waste...that could have been such a profitable table...

Oddly enough, I've actually been doing well in no-limit tournaments....and no-limit isn't my specialty...and (though I've improved) I generally suck at tournaments. Wierd.

[sickofants]

Posting this in the Probability forum leads me to believe that OP is having a laugh. Since this is a Probability forum, I feel compelled to say that the topic has absolutely nothing to do with probability and is more to do with psychology.

With that said, I would give you this advice:

If you feel that your usual game is being compromised by these negative feelings, you might want to consider taking some time away from poker. However, if you are unaffected by your perceived lack of luck, then continue to play as usual and let the "long run" deal with your problems.

[JackAll]

Just take a break for a full week.
When you come back, tighten up and play draws only in late position for a while. Boring, but the low variance option for when running bad.

Oh yea, and this should be moved to the psych forum.

[PokerEveryDay]

[ QUOTE ]

I mean I would have isolated losses, which were to be expected...but wow, 12 months...my poor savaged bankroll.


[/ QUOTE ]

I never said I was losing for the last 12 months.

[PokerEveryDay]

[ QUOTE ]
Posting this in the Probability forum leads me to believe that OP is having a laugh. Since this is a Probability forum, I feel compelled to say that the topic has absolutely nothing to do with probability and is more to do with psychology.

With that said, I would give you this advice:

If you feel that your usual game is being compromised by these negative feelings, you might want to consider taking some time away from poker. However, if you are unaffected by your perceived lack of luck, then continue to play as usual and let the "long run" deal with your problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is about probability, you just need to think about it. Running bad, and trying to stop it. That is, lets assume I stop playing for a while, yet my streak would have continued if I kept playing. Then I start playing again after 2 weeks, would it continue? That to me is about probability.

As for the other part, I agree.

[PokerEveryDay]

[ QUOTE ]
Just take a break for a full week.
When you come back, tighten up and play draws only in late position for a while. Boring, but the low variance option for when running bad.


[/ QUOTE ]

Good idea, thanks