PokerWorks

Many players will continue to play at their current levels or even move up higher chasing their losses. Some will stay at the table and tilt off more money after a cooler or bad beat while cursing their luck. Others will play ultra passive with scared money.

A select few will have the discipline to take a step back and have a closer look at their play to determine what they might have done differently.

In my opinion, strict discipline is probably the single most important attribute to your success at just about anything. Perseverance is a close second. Poker is no different. It’s something I try to remind myself of continuously. It’s too easy to get caught up in the emotions of the game and let it cloud your judgment. It’s even easier to give up and quit.

Poker is such a complex game with so many different situations that can get you into trouble. No one plays perfect poker all the time, NO ONE.

Here are a couple of things you should consider doing if you’re not already.

Review your hand histories – I’m sure you’ve seen this many times before. But, this is one of the best ways to identify leaks and determine what you could’ve done differently. Players have a tendency to remember the bad beats and coolers and forget when they’re on the winning side of them.
• Look closely at your bet sizing, starting hands and how you’re playing out of position. Playing out of position with marginal hands is a good way to spew chips.
• Look closely at all the big pots you won and lost. Identify what you did wrong or if you just got unlucky. Luck plays a big factor.
• But be honest with yourself and if you aren’t sure about some situations, consult another player you respect.

Tighten up your starting hand requirements based on position – This is a very simple tweak. Players who have some experience under their belt will start to loosen up their game and sometimes fall into traps. Again, this goes back to reviewing your hand histories. I’d rather play Q-10 unsuited on the button than Q-J unsuited under the gun. If you discover you’re losing a lot of pots by playing marginal hands out of position, tighten up. An experienced player can sense weakness and take advantage of their position in the hand. Try just playing premium hands from the first few positions then loosen up your range as players fold through to you.

Although discipline is probably the single most important attribute, your success with perseverance is a close second. A little luck helps but, that’s not something you can control. I also suggest always reviewing hand histories from previous sessions and tightening up your starting hand requirements.

Here are a few other suggestions for busting your slump.

Try entering the pot with a raise or re-raise – This is the raise or fold mentality. If your hand isn’t worth raising, it’s probably not worth playing. Re-raise your premium hands, don’t just flat call. How many times have you missed the flop with A-K unsuited after calling a raise and were forced to fold to more bets on later streets? Cold calling in no-limit hold’em is a big leak.

But, there are exceptions to the rule. For example, if you find yourself in late position with a drawing hand such as 9-10s a pre-flop raise and several callers ahead of you, this is a good time to call a standard raise and take a flop. It’s much easier to get away cheap from a drawing hand in late position and still give yourself an opportunity to get lucky.

Going back to tightening up starting hand requirements, the best way to force yourself to tighten up is by only entering pots with a raise or re-raise. Many tournament players have difficulty being selective with their starting hands because they’re playing with tournament chips instead of “real” money.

Consider switching to a game you can consistently beat – Table/game selection is critical to your hourly win rate and switching to a game you can beat will also give your confidence the boost it needs. Don’t be too proud to move down a level or two for a while. Move up when your confidence is back and you’re playing good.

Take a short break – Sometimes all you need is just a day or two to clear your head. It goes back to chasing losses. Don’t trap yourself into playing a marathon session trying to get even. Find another activity to take your mind off poker, recharge and come back with a plan.

Try not to let bad luck affect your play – You’re a-A is going to get cracked by K-K once every five times. Being a 4-1 favorite doesn’t make you a lock to win the hand. Get used to it.

Get used to bad beats!

I play at Bodog Poker and they have an exclusive PokerWorks 110% deposit sign-up bonus up to $500! The sign-up bonus gives you a little additional bankroll money to withstand some of the beats and running bad sessions.

Good luck at the tables!