Overcoming A Blowout When You're Not Trying to Move Up

I'm sure this isn't the first thread or the last on this topic, but I thought it may be helpful for others as I'm sure I'm not the first nor the last to have this problem.

Long story short, I've been playing 100nl nitring since May. After failing to move up twice, I finally stuck in August and am up ~45-50 BI since then. That was until this week, however. For seemingly no reason, I've started running cold and completely lost my mind and my game. -13 BI this week easily the worst and quickest I've nosedived in the last year or two. I know I've run very cold, but I also know that I've tilted away more than a few BIs and am way off my game. And yes, I know the HU/6max folks will say variation and what not, but I can't ever remember getting down -10BI in a situation where I wasn't trying to move up a level (i.e. this is my own doing).

My question to the forum is -- if this has happened to you, what did you do to right the ship?

I've always been steady and really only run into serious trouble when I'm trying to move up. The solution when things go wrong in that situation is easy; move right back down at -X BIs to a level you know you can beat. But I can't remember having this tough an issue when I've already been successful at a level. I know the easiest thing to do is to stop playing, do something else for a few days or a week and come back to it. I'm going to do that for sure, but I'm afraid (or afraid that I'll be afraid, if that makes sense) that I won't cool down and continue blowing stacks when I come back. I also can't directly attribute the tilt to any specific factors. I had a great month last month, work isn't overly stressful, really the only thing that has been stressing me is this. So maybe as the losses mounted, it was akin to a snowball rolling down a hill and turning into an avalanche?

Is moving down even an option? It would restore some confidence, but after being at a level for 6+ months, I don't want to take a step back. I do have the BR to sustain this (Including the -13 I'm at 76 BIs). Praise be to BR mgmtaments!! Questions? Answers? Comments? Bitch slap me and yell SUCK IT UP?

If the run bad hasn't affected your play (and that's a big if, not always easy to tell) and you're rolled for it, just stay where you are. You'll come back quicker when the run good kicks in.

But if you're at all worried about it, stepping down is pretty smart.

Since I'm a giant nit when it comes to bankroll, I'd move down and get some confidence and money back before moving back up.

GL, kdawg.

I think i've had like one -9BI swong at 25s and a 6BI swong a few days ago, just keep playing if you still think you have an edge (you may not if you aren't in the right mindset)

i lost 22BI in 10 days and winning nothng.. good thing i had BR at 45 BI.... i cant go lower ( am 2nl), but damn, one day the sun will shine on my hand to keep on playing your A game and all will be fine again

I've had similar situation where I would drop numerous bi's and when I find myself confused about if it is more run bad or spewage. I'll just move down and concentrate on my game usually totally owning the lower stake. When back what I lost at the higher stake and usually by then my confidence and game are both repaired. Caveat is to resist the urge to play twice as many tables and just autopilot as this obviously doesn't repair the game.

Originally Posted by Razvan729

i lost 22BI in 10 days and winning nothng.. good thing i had BR at 45 BI.... i cant go lower ( am 2nl), but damn, one day the sun will shine on my hand to keep on playing your A game and all will be fine again

Ok move up you bankroll nit for gods sake your more than ready don't ya think? You do know that the difference between 2nl and 5nl is damn near none existent but you'll be winning 2.5x as much for the same time investment!

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

Ok move up you bankroll nit for gods sake your more than ready don't ya think? You do know that the difference between 2nl and 5nl is damn near none existent but you'll be winning 2.5x as much for the same time investment!

I am not sure it is such good advice Harley, if he experiences 22BI downswings at 2nl. You realize that if he had been playing 5nl he would be busto by now?

I'd say he should make sure he consistently beats 2nl over say 20k hands before moving up.

Personally I see a difference in the play and tables at 2nl and 5nl. Many more spewy donks at 2nl imo (at FR anyway).

Originally Posted by daviddem

I am not sure it is such good advice Harley, if he experiences 22BI downswings at 2nl. You realize that if he had been playing 5nl he would be busto by now?

I'd say he should make sure he consistently beats 2nl over say 20k hands before moving up.

Personally I see a difference in the play and tables at 2nl and 5nl. Many more spewy donks at 2nl imo (at FR anyway).

I guess I was assuming this was in the past. You are correct that he should have a good sound winning history of at least 20k hands. As far as the difference there is a minor difference but if you are beating 2nl consistently you'll be fine with a few minor adjustments.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

Caveat is to resist the urge to play twice as many tables and just autopilot as this obviously doesn't repair the game.

+1

A break is good, and not just a few days. Or you can try some casual micro 6max or SnGs for a week or 2 for fun. The change will help refresh your poker mindset if you've fallen into a groove and low stakes will keep you from stressing about booking a profit or not.

I took a ~25bi downswing at 100NL and haven't been back since. Now I play much lower. It sucks but just play lower and learn learn learn.

i took a 25bi swing at 100nl and then decided never to play it again. so i moved up for good.

Fuck

this thread is cursed. I read it and went on a 10BI downswing over 2k hands. THANKS DAWG.

Originally Posted by daviddem

I am not sure it is such good advice Harley, if he experiences 22BI downswings at 2nl. You realize that if he had been playing 5nl he would be busto by now?

I'd say he should make sure he consistently beats 2nl over say 20k hands before moving up.

Personally I see a difference in the play and tables at 2nl and 5nl. Many more spewy donks at 2nl imo (at FR anyway).

i aint moving up

1. BR is now 25 BI for 2nl so 50$, not enough for 5nl gonna go there when i have 120$

2. after this bad run i am having, confidence is low so i wouldnt go up no matter BR i have

3. i build BR from 4$ to 80$ in 19000 hands in 12 days, now the last 4k hands i dropped to 50$
lo
4. like said in a post up, i have to many leaks now, and i just wanna make them lost here

5. i have just 2 weeks since i started playing poker and not bingo like i was before, i really wanna reasses all in 3-4 weeks later, i wanna be a good poker player not a lucky beginner that won few k hands and made big BR so that i will bust all in bigger levels.

Originally Posted by Razvan729

i aint moving up

1. BR is now 25 BI for 2nl so 50$, not enough for 5nl gonna go there when i have 120$

2. after this bad run i am having, confidence is low so i wouldnt go up no matter BR i have

3. i build BR from 4$ to 80$ in 19000 hands in 12 days, now the last 4k hands i dropped to 50$
lo
4. like said in a post up, i have to many leaks now, and i just wanna make them lost here

5. i have just 2 weeks since i started playing poker and not bingo like i was before, i really wanna reasses all in 3-4 weeks later, i wanna be a good poker player not a lucky beginner that won few k hands and made big BR so that i will bust all in bigger levels.

Sorry buddy I assumed you had already worked your way back up to the 45bi's. Be patient work on one leak per session and you'll get through it. Ask for lots of help here and you'll get lots of help. Good luck