CARDRUNNERS

What's Your Edge

Sawcruhteez's Poker Blog

June 10, 2009

So basically I just went on the biggest downswing that I have been on, in about 4 or 5 months. I lost around a thousand dollars in like 3 days, and it was pretty disgusting to say the least. I don't know, I just can't be playing any 100NL, without at least 30BI's in my roll. That is going to be my new requirement, and even then I am going to be extremely hesitant, and only jump in when the games are really good. Because for now it's just simply not worth it, not because I don't think I am good enough or whatever, just because I am not good enough at handling the swings when I am living off my roll, when the money is so important to me. It's just simply not worth it.

However, at 50NL the swings are completely minimal, and my downswings only seem to be break even stretches. Now this is much more manageable, the only problem is when I'm breaking even for like 10K hands I really start to lose my motivation to play. It becomes a lot more difficult to grind it out when I am seemingly not making any money. Then I start trying to win money, and start really forcing it, and this is when I go on my biggest downswings. I just need to focus on things that I can control, how I am playing, how much I am playing, the state of mind I am in, not being emotional ext. That's what I need to worry about, and let the rest work itself out. If I am playing my A game at 50NL it is very simple, I will win money, and that's all that there is too it.

And as soon as I start losing my motivation to play, or start getting a little frustrated, that's when it is time to take the day off. This is how I will try to ensure that I don't let the break even stretches affect my mindset. I only want to be playing when I am in a healthy mindset, and not ever force myself to play. On the other side of the token I might ease up on my restrictions of only playing 2 sessions a day. As long as I am in the right mindset, and feeling good about the grind, I want to hop on there and make my hourly. So here is the thing, the only way that I can play more than 2 sessions, is if I don't smoke for one of them. That should leave me feeling better, and more focused and ready for the grind.

So basically at the start of the month I withdrew 1K to pay for rent, and then proceeded to lose one thousand dollars in the next week and a half. So instead of making money I lost about the amount that I need to cashout right now, and that is why it hurts. But I have to realize that even after all of that my bankroll is still completely healthy, and I still have enough money to cashout for rent next month. Along with that my mental state really hasn't been affected at all, because I haven't checked my results at all over the last week, so I am really happy about that.

Honestly, right now is prolly going to be the complete low point for the entire summer, and I am doing completely fine. I am not stressed out at all, and I am not pressing which is huge. I don't feel like I have to jump on the tables and make all the money back as soon as possible, istead I'm just chilling out, hanging out with friends and even thinking about taking the day off. This tells me that I am in a really healthy mindset, and that I am not letting my poker results affect me, the way that it would many people. So for that I am very proud, and I was to try and take all the positives I can from this. I truly feel that it's only getting better from here, which is pretty awesome because even right now my life seems to be absolutely incredible, and I am literally loving every day that I wake up. So I am going to take this as a positive, and realize that if this is as bad as it gets for me, then I am def one of the most fortunate college students around, and I am remarkably thankful for everything in my life that seems to go so well...what a sick life!

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Jun 10, 09 14:39:09

Great poker mindset. Dropping down takes alot of discipline. I've taken shots at \$200 and failed. Dropped down to \$100 and now back down to \$50. Back and forth like a yoyo.

Ultimate goal is to beat \$200 nlhe FR now. Currently playing \$50 nlhe FR to regain confidence and slowly back up. Patience is the biggest factor when your trying to play winning poker.

good luck

AppleSeed

Jun 10, 09 23:07:38

youz be the man...me, on the other hand, am a mental basket case.

NeedleNose

Jun 15, 09 14:56:29

Poker is such an interesting game.

It sounds to me like you will be just fine.

schlucky1