(Distributed Nov. 14, 2006)
HOW TO STOP A LOSING STREAK, REGAIN POKER CONFIDENCE
Jim H. of Illinois says no matter how hard he tries, he can’t shake a losing streak.
(SET ITAL) Hey LuckyDog: I don’t know what’s going on with my poker game. I can’t seem to book a win, even when I’m catching good cards. The other night my pocket queens were snapped by a player holding two undercards. It just seems like no matter what hand I make, it doesn’t hold up. Got any advice? (END ITAL)
When you called the other day, Jim, I could hear the frustration in your voice and sense the fear creeping into your game. As a low-stakes player, you said you normally come out ahead playing in home games and online, but now you can’t figure out what’s happening.
Your confidence is so shaken that you decided not to attend a local Texas hold’em poker tournament raising money for a church in your town because you didn’t want to look foolish at the felt.
Well, given your mindset at the time, skipping the tournament probably was the right decision. Playing “scared” poker, particularly with several thousand dollars up for grabs, would have put you at a disadvantage.
Every player goes through bad streaks. Since you’re a recreational player sticking to betting limits within your comfort zone, you’ve got time to get back on track. Here are some tips that should help:
ASSESS YOUR GAME — After a certain number of “bad beats,” even strong players sometimes panic and try to force their way into wins. When their pocket aces, kings, and yes, queens get cracked by some knucklehead holding 7-2 offsuit, they start playing questionable hands hoping for a lucky score.
Really study your recent play, Jim. Did losing a few pots with good hands cause you to risk chips by playing, say, 10-7 in early position or Q-8 against a raise? Did you have other things on your mind — work problems, family issues — that clouded your focus at the table? Did you stay in the game too long?
TURN THE TIDE — If you’ve posted several losses in a row, you can’t get the money back in a single setting. A better option is to reverse the trend one small step at a time.
Try hit-and-run poker. Play extremely tight at first, and if you win a couple of pots that put you ahead, leave the game. This doesn’t work at a home poker party with friends, but you can do it quite easily online. All you’re trying to do is break the streak and build confidence.
KEEP IT REAL — Low-limit hold’em is not easy to beat. With lots of players staying in to see each flop, even your pocket aces are in serious jeopardy. You usually can’t drive out enough opponents to feel safe. So, adopt that mindset and try not to go on tilt when your big hand loses.
Just as important as winning pots is saving bets. Don’t limp in with any hand that can’t stand a raise. Don’t stay in if the flop misses you. Don’t chase slim draws on the turn and river (unless the pot is huge and catching your miracle card will win for sure). Saving 10-20 such bets can easily turn a losing session into a winning one.
Good luck, Jim.
(SET ITAL) Say LuckyDog, what do you think about the election results? Did a backlash vote by poker players against the GOP make a difference? — Mike L. of Illinois (END ITAL)
Mike is referring to the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act pushed through Congress by Republicans at the last minute (attached to a major port security bill!) before the election recess. The Act doesn’t ban online poker, but does make it illegal for banks to process transactions between online sites and United States residents.
Two of the four key GOP proponents of the UIGEA — Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.) — won their races. Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) didn’t run again, but lost his position as Senate majority leader in the Democratic takeover of both houses.
The shocker was Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa). After 30 years in the House and seemingly a shoe-in, he lost to college professor Dave Loebsack, a political rookie, by fewer than 6,000 votes out of about 215,000 cast.
Most experts attribute the Democratic surge last week mainly to discontent over the Iraq war. But in Rep. Leach’s surprisingly close race, the war wasn’t an issue. Both Leach and Loebsack were against the war and favored troop drawdowns.
So, in a state where legal floating casinos have featured poker for more than a decade as have popular land-based Indian-run casinos, could thousands of upset Iowa poker players have made the difference?
You bet, Mike.
E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.
COPYRIGHT 2006 RUSS SCOTT
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