Is it time for a break?

[Mashey]

For the last couple months my online poker has been breaking even I have been maintaining my 200 BR. I was multi tabling Imperial and making good cash as I felt the site was very loose. I hit my goal of 200 on there so I withdrew and played on the left over. I began to lose so I withdrew the rest and went to a couple of other sites.
I considered myself Semi-Tight (play AOK chart with a few of my variants… probably the hands that get me into trouble) and passive (can’t seem to get past this) but very disciplined, knowing when to lay down the draw, 2nd best hand and what not. (If this sounds oxy-moron please tell me) Feeling this way and playing on Imperial I began playing mediocre hands. But recently I have lost that ability to lay down the cards, I also introduced my mind to “I think he’s bluffing Syndrome”, with today being the worst where I lost two 25.00 BR due to playing very stupid knowing the other guy had the better hand. And he even Bet as if he did (which even made it worse). Is it time for me to give it a break for a bit or try to play thru it? I lost 140 of my 200 br. I enjoy the game and love playing lots of hands, but I also donot roll in the money so can't keep to the losing. I have read and re-read most of AOK post along with a lot you others and I always read the Hand Histories, but it does not seem to be helping me, or am I not allowing it to help me. When I started in Jan 05 I was always reloading to till I discovered this site since then I have not reloaded, although I might have too if I continue down this road.

[EricE]

My advice is to take a couple days break. During that time continue to read up on things…trying to improve. When you start again I would start with the lowest stakes possible intending to learn aggression. You can’t continue to play passive. Well, you can but it is not the best way to go. Playing at the lower stakes will allow you to throw money around. That is what you have to learn. Learn to throw money around when you have the best cards or can make him fold regardless (but keep the bluffs % low). From there you can continue to move up as long as you are winning AND are able to play aggressively at those stakes. Don’t move up if you can’t play aggressively.
My advice on bluffs is don’t use them very often and don’t call them very often. I fold to bluffs. If they are bluffing I give the credit for balls and may look them up after they do it against me several times but I am not looking to do it very often.

[moiraine57]

Sometimes I was on a bad run I literally couldn't take a break from poker....what I did was play omaha 8/b .01/.02 limit. Nothing like a completely incomprehensible game played for absolutely nothing to clear your head.

LOL. Seriously, though, I loved poker too much to give it up. So I played 8/b for a few nights to clear my head.

Maybe a nice pleasant run at the micros might be the change you need?

[Miffed22001]

go manaic on the play money tables
(if they have any of corse)!

[daluchy]

You'll have to get out of that passive thinking. Try going to a small stake SnG and playing a little more aggressive. You'll get to see alot of hands for a cheap price to try it out.
And in contrast you'll have to find your ability to lay it down when you're behind again. That's just as important.