Sing with me…

I got the blues… I got the limit poker downswing blues.

I read the websites, books and forums. I knew it was inevitable, yet nothing quite prepares you for it. Your first above average downswing.

Now we’re not talking a blown bankroll or anything here, just your run of the mill everyday 100 BB downswing. Since about three days ago my limit poker has gone something like this:

1. Get good cards and raise, get lots of callers.
2. Hit the flop and bet/raise, get lots of callers.
3. Hit a good turn card and bet/raise, get lots of callers.
4. Hit a scary river card, call.
5 Lose money and repeat.

I get two pair, they get a set. I get a set, they get a straight. I get a straight… well you get the idea. Take this hand for example, in the SB I am dealt:

Three callers to me and I raise, everyone calls.

Loose player to my right bets, I raise my over cards and flush draw and two players call. The turn comes:

The flop raiser checks, I bet and am re-raised by the preflop caller. It’s possible he’s holding an 8 but with my outs it doesn’t matter much. I re-raise , he caps and I call. All three players are still in.

The River:

Betting is again capped and the original flop raiser turns over:

:3c::3s:

For a very unlikely and totally irritating rivered full house, the other player mucks his:

:4s::8s:

Which was pretty much what I thought he had and I angrily muck my ace high flush. This example isn’t the worst, becuase technically I was behind on the turn (although drawing strong) but it is typical of what has been happening (though, usually I’m ahead all the way to the river).

Thing is, I don’t mind being “sucked out” on when the money has gone in when I believe I’m ahead, it’s just that when it happens over and over it starts to mess with you a little.

I’m talking downswing tilt.

Generally I don’t tilt, I usually take the bad losses in my stride. When it happens over and over however you start to question your play, then you start to play poorly. Believe me when I tell you that I have played some shocking hands since this all started and that just makes things worse.

Thing is I know it will end, I know when I play my A game I can beat my opponents. It’s just a matter of playing my game and controlling tilt. Sounds easy? I’ll let you know…