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Engaging in poker can lead you through a range of intense mental and emotional experiences.
Winning can give you a sense of mastery and invincibility, making it seem like you will never experience defeat. Conversely, losing can greatly damage your confidence and make you doubt your abilities in the game.
The way poker players handle these emotional fluctuations varies for each individual, and I strongly believe it is a crucial but often overlooked factor in a player’s overall success.
Whether up or down, make sure to review your play
When you’re experiencing an upswing or winning streak, it’s crucial to recognize that despite being victorious, it doesn’t necessarily imply flawless performance.
Every one of us desires to perceive ourselves as dominant forces on the table. Hence, when we experience a brief period of exceptional performance, we are inclined to consider it as the standard outcome.
In these times, it is crucial to maintain your focus on studying and evaluating your gameplay. Are my victories a result of skillful play or just sheer luck? Typically, it’s a blend of both factors. However, even if a poker player is consistently losing in the long run, they might experience a streak of good fortune for a few weeks, giving them a temporary sense of being a successful player.
Maintaining confidence is crucial during a downward phase or a series of losses. Remember, encountering a rough patch does not define your skills as a player.
Downswings are experienced by even the most skilled players globally, meaning that it is only natural for you and me to encounter them as well.
However, it remains crucial to assess your performance and identify the errors you are committing.
The highs and lows of experiencing a remarkable upswing or a dreadful downswing contribute to the thrill of poker, but also add to the challenges of the game. Whether you find yourself at the top or bottom, as a poker player, it is crucial to maintain a delicate balance between confidence and humility.
When you start to overestimate your abilities, your progress as a player will stagnate because you’ll be less inclined to acknowledge the need for further study or accept advice from others. Additionally, you may find yourself participating in higher-stakes games where your skills are insufficient to consistently win in the long run.
Your win rate will undeniably suffer if you lack confidence, causing you to hesitate in-game and refrain from making the necessary bluffs that you instinctively recognize.
All players experience ups and downs
Let me illustrate the extreme variations in buy-ins that can occur by sharing my experiences playing $2.50/$5.00 blind cash games on the online poker sites in Michigan.
The results depicted in this graph demonstrate the progress achieved in the 13 months since the launch of Michigan online poker sites.
Despite winning more than $28,000 (equivalent to 56 buy-ins) at this stake level, I experienced a downswing during this period resulting in a loss of approximately $14,000 (or 28 buy-ins). This occurred over a span of 169,000 hands.
Even though I am not the most skilled player in these games, I have managed to achieve consistent wins over time. However, there was a period when I experienced a losing streak of 28 buy-ins.
It is worth highlighting that the smaller advantage you have in a game, the larger the downturns will be. This is due to the fact that, on average, you win less. Consequently, when odds turn against you, you have less margin to deviate from your average compared to someone who holds a significant advantage in the game.
The swings you witness here may seem significant, but the swings experienced in tournaments are far more drastic.
The occurrence of top players experiencing a downswing of over 100 buy-ins in large tournament fields is not unusual, primarily due to the top-heavy payout structure of these tournaments.
The majority of your enduring profits in tournaments stem from a handful of significant victories, and even the most skilled players globally typically generate earnings in fewer than 20% of the tournaments they participate in.
Tips to deal with poker’s upswings and downswings
If you’ve ever wondered about managing the highs and lows in poker, here are two techniques I employ to navigate through both winning streaks and losing streaks.
- Evaluate your gameplay alongside a trusted individual. Though it may seem like you’re invincible when everything is going smoothly, there will always be errors that persist even during winning streaks. It is crucial to identify and address these weaknesses before they lead to losses. Furthermore, if you find yourself on a losing streak, reviewing your gameplay can assist in rectifying mistakes and confirming the hands you’ve played correctly.
- If you’re in a positive state and experiencing success, increase your poker playing time. Conversely, when you’re going through a slump, take a break and reduce your playing hours. Unfortunately, many people tend to make a significant error by doing the opposite. They tend to continue playing when they are winning, aiming for more success. Similarly, when facing losses, they persist in playing until they can break even. In reality, playing better usually occurs when you are winning and feeling confident. Conversely, during a losing streak, your performance tends to decline. It is crucial to acknowledge your emotional state and its potential impact on your gameplay, making adjustments accordingly.
Playing poker is like riding a roller coaster of emotions and mental challenges. We all go through this thrilling journey, and my aim is for you to improve your ability to navigate the highs and lows after reading this article.
David Kaye, a poker enthusiast from Mason, consistently contributes a column to Playinmichigan. To keep up with his poker adventures, you can find him on various social media platforms using the username “DavidKayePoker.” Feel free to check out his content on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Instagram.
