Flat earning periods

Ok, so since I started implemented 'rilla's BR management and Reston's pre-flop strategy about a month or so ago. I started to really win, and I feel like I'm playing a more solid game. I still have a few glaring holes I'm working on, but they're mostly a matter of discipline that will come with time. Laying down the strong hand when you're pretty sure you're beat, picking better opportunities to get in all in, etc.

So, that being said, I was on a steady earning streak for about 5 weeks, but the last week has been really flat. For the most part, I'm up one session and down another. I can't say I've played perfect, but I'm not feeling too bad about my play, either. I'm enjoying it tremendously, and don't feel like I'm playing on tilt or trying to chase losses with more aggresive play.

So is this something that should be expected as a normal part of the game?

Originally Posted by kb coolman

So is this something that should be expected as a normal part of the game?

yessir

A huge part of being a good poker player is being able to ride out the break-even periods and the inevitable downswings.

Originally Posted by kb coolman

So is this something that should be expected as a normal part of the game?

yes - there's a thread somewhere with graphs
Found it http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...%20long%20term

I went through a 5 buy-in downswing in 2 sessions this week it helped to keep focus on how I was actually running over a larger sample and by reviewing the biggest pots I lost and realizing that there wasn't much I could do about it.
Look at your ptbb/100 over the last 1k, 5k, 10k hands, and the swings should look insignificant.

I had to struggle with this once again, even though I've been through it hundreds of times. My first 2k hands at 10NL after moving up again were over 80ptbb/100 - which can induce dillusions of grandior, and of course isn't sustainable. Realizing that the subsequent downswing only brought me down to 40ptbb/100 was a good consolation, and of course I expect this to level out much more.
You want the music to play on forever, but you have to take a more realistic long-term observation and see where you're coming from and just keep playing as solid as you can. Whatever you did that was profitable over the last 100k hands is just as good now. Just try to improve your game here and there and keep playing.

Originally Posted by daven

Found it http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...%20long%20term

Great thread!!
Reading once again.