Dealing with Downswings

This is my least favorite subject to write about due to its inherent negativity and lack of excitement. I suspect that this is the same case for others as well because the downswing subject isn’t discussed or studied nearly as often as it should be when considering how much downswings actually affect us. If poker players could better learn to understand and control downswings, the difference in winrates would be astounding. If you think about it, the occasional losing day doesn’t hurt your bankroll, its the occasional major downswing that does the most damage and causes the most delay in moving up in stakes.

The causes behind downswings are numerous; they can be linked to tilt, a disinterest in the game, a simple bad run of cards, and combinations of factors. Regardless the cause, all poker players must do two things:

First and most important they must simply learn to deal with it. As a poker player, you can not allow yourself to become undone by downswings. We all experience them and we either deal with them or we quit poker. That is a fact.

Second, you must stay within your bankroll at all times. No matter how terrible it feels to have to move down a level, it is absolutely necessary to stay within your bankroll. As soon as you begin breaking your own bankroll rules, you are throwing away logic and will play an inferior game. Not to mention you’ll be bringing yourself that much closer to ruin. It’s better to have to tell your friends you moved down than it is to tell them you went broke. So remember, no matter how bad a downswing gets, you can always recover if you stay within your bankroll.

If you can get those two things down, your success as a poker player will improve tremendously. Here are a few more tips to get you though the tough times:

1. Take a break. Downswings aren’t always luck and even if they were, the emotional beating we take during downswings can affect our play. Stop playing poker and get some fresh air. Go out with your friends, read a poker book, study some old hands – whatever works for you as long as you’re not actually playing.

2. Post some hands on your favorite poker forum. Post some hands, explain your thoughts behind the play and see if you can get some feedback on your play. Maybe you haven’t been playing as well as you think you have.

3. If you’re going through a particularly vicious or long downswing, try moving to a new poker site to get some fresh air. It helps sometimes to chance your environment. On top of that you can earn new bonuses to help offset the downswing.

4. Speaking of environment, try cleaning your house. If you’ve been playing poker in a dirty, cluttered atmosphere, try thoroughly cleaning your house. Playing in a clean, cool environment will help your concentration.