My poker buddy Chris sent this advice for how to deal with a poker losing streak. I thought it was thoughtful of him to write it up and so I've reproduced it here with his permission. Thought I continue to have overall net losses uncharacteristic of me, I'm playing a low enough stakes that I'm simply redoubling study time to work through it.
Thanks Chris, you're a good friend.
From Chris:
I have three pieces of advice for when you are on a downswing. To most people, I would recommend dropping limits, but I do not think that is appropriate in your situation. You are comfortable at your current limits. Moreover, you have talked about how much low-limit variance frustrates you, and changing your game to beat $2/4 will not cure what ails you at middle limits.
1) Mixed games. Few things help me to reevaluate my hold 'em game so much as mixed games. I do not know how readily available they are in California, but they are increasingly common at online sites. HORSE and similar variants force you to concentrate on your strategies for each game. For me, the advantage is that I return to hold 'em and play less reflexively. I become accustomed to thinking about strategy and the appropriate plays for each game, so I can critique my own hold 'em play with greater clarity.
2) Tournaments. For me, tournaments are like poker tourniquets. They will not necessarily replenish your bankroll, and, in many cases, they will even be -EV. They can, however, slow down the bleeding. When you are on a losing streak, a tournament gives you table time against quality opponents at a fixed cost. It is easier to distance oneself emotionally from a tourney buy-in than from cash game chips. If you actually go deep, you feel as though you are freerolling. You can import the blind structure to Poker Academy, simulate a few tourneys, and head into the poker room with a strategy already in place. Plus, in your case, you really enjoy tournaments. Stay away from the cash games for a few sessions and return with a fresh prospective, especially if you cash. Online tournaments are a substitute because you could play more times for less money, but the experience is not the same.
3) Consider externalities. Is anything outside of poker affecting your play? Work, family, money, health, and any number of other real-life problems can hamper our ability to focus. Normally, poker is an opportunity for me to concentrate wholly on one goal and thus park my other stresses at the door. When I cannot leave those problems behind for a couple hours, however, it negatively impacts my play.
I have read other advice about breaking losing streaks -- changing venues, leaving early to book small wins -- but I think those are bunk in your situation, because I doubt that you're dealing with a confidence problem.
Those are just a few thoughts. They may or may not be helpful. Losing can be frustrating, so please feel free to bounce thoughts in my direction.
Have a good one,
Chris
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