How to minimize standard deviation?

[Mook]

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SD is influenced by:
- your EV
- the potsize
- your chance to win

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Actually, the single biggest influence on variance (and thus your SD) is game selection.

Assuming two games where your relative skill and EV is otherwise identical, the loose and aggressive game will produce a MUCH higher SD than a tight, passive game with the same limits.

Your conclusion is right though - in cash games, the changes that you typically need to make to "control" variance wind up costing you so much EV in the long run that it's not worth it. Play as +EV as you can and focus instead on game selection and, most importantly, bankroll.

Mook