running BAD!

Just wondering how long the normal player runs bad when you do run bad. Seems my bad streak has been going on forever now. I usually play 9 handed sng's and usually cash 60% of the time or better, but for the last say 2 months I cant seem to get my groove back. I'm playing position, following normal raise and re-raise patterns, and trying to mix it up so as not to put out tells. I'm getting sucked out on ALL THE TIME! How long can this go on or do you start to play crappy hands just to try and break free? I also mark players so I know who I'm playing against. I try not to get patterned by frequent players and as far as I can tell this is not the problem. ARGGH!!

It sucks.

I am trying to do my version of the Chris Ferguson 10K challenge.

Right now I am only using play money on full tilt. IMAGINE THE BAD BEATS I GET!!!!!

It's completely annoying and frustrating when you are doing what you know to be solid poker and yet you still can't win.

These streaks usually go about 2 days at the max for myself. But if the moons are aligned right for you they can last for years.

Just be pateint and analyze every hand you win big or lose big. If you go back and see you were playing the probabilities correctly, then just keep on keepin' on. The odds will fall in your favor eventually.

Good Luck!

Frankly, I suggest you take a break and not play for at least a week. You sound very frustrated, and if you are you are not playing your best.

I have been having the same kind of luck on partpoker lately. However, I have still a nice bankroll and I am sure at some point the streak will change. It is funny how it seems that now I'm getting sucked out on so much, but at other times I am the one sucking out. It just seems that the dominated hand wins at a much better % at times.

It can get really sick. Get out to the gym, ask a girl for a walk,etc. Like with girls, it seems you run the best in poker when you have something else going on.

Well, there's your problem. These stats were going to normalize themselves no matter what.

I don't follow. Are you suggesting that you can't be a consistent winner? If so, then whats the point of playing?

He is just saying it is VERY difficult to maintain a 60% itm rate in sngs, and if that is what you were averaging it was an upswing

I'd go a step further and say it's impossible.

You might have to accept that your losing streak is not a streak but the norm.

so in other words, you can't make money at sng's? if you can't at least win 60% of the tables played, then you can't make money. again i ask, why play if you can't make money? if you only win 50% of the time then you're just breaking even. whats the point? and if all this IS true, how do you make money playing poker? are you guys averaging losers or averaging winners? if your bankroll doesn't grow then why play?
I'd also like to add, junior member doesn't mean junior player. i'm new to cardschat, i'm far from new to this game.

You make your money in SNG's by getting 1rst place.Even if you can cash ony 40% of the time you make money as long as half of your cashes are 1rst.

For example:You play 10 $5.50 -9 player max SNG's,it cost you $55.Two 1rst place cashes=$55.2 3rd place cashes=$18.That's an $18 profit in 10 games.Not to mention the second place finishes you should get often too.


The moral of the story is,don't play to cash,play to win!Also,if you want to make any "real" money,you might be better of playing some cash games.Take this from a SNG junkie.

I am by far not a very good player,but I am good enough to turn a small profit.I am sure at least a few people will agree with me about playing to win though.

Sorry. I was looking for maybe some advise about getting out of a rut. I've been in them before but never for this long. I don't need general game tips. I guess I was hoping someone has been there and made it out and could maybe give some ideas on how they did it. Maybe something they noticed about it that I'm missing. Thats all. I guess when I said 60% I meant in the money, not necessarily 1st place. Anyone who's dug their way out, I like to here from you. If you haven't been there then please don't tell me what you think you would do. Trust me, you don't know till you're in one.

As far as advice for getting out of a rut,and yes anyone who has played long enough has been in one,I only have this.

1.Review your play-Are you really playing the best poker you can?how are you sure of that?Go back in your hand histories and look for leaks in your game.If you don't find any,then you are surely better than most players (or most likely blind)and you should be 80% ITM.

2.Take a nice break from poker.It does no good to play on tilt.Find something to get your mind off it for a week or two.Come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.

3.Read a couple of books you have read before(poker books that is),see if you can catch something you missed before.I have read HOH 1 and 2 several times,and still I pick up a small detail now and then.Or better yet,buy a new book and read it.

4.Don't set your expectations so high!60% ITM is unreal.Is this over 1000 SNG's?If not,it is not a real figure.Try going for 50% ITM,with most of these being wins and seconds.Like I said before,and this is most important,play to win,not to cash!

5.Listen to the advice of others.If most people think your numbers won't hold up over a real sample,they just may be right!If you can't make money at 50%,you aren't playing to win.You should have at least 25% 1rst and 2nd's in that 50%

6.If this was no help to you,then you are not listening and just looking for some pity,IMHO.I hope you listen and good luck to you.

I too play the $1 sng's at pokerstars. I ran real well for about a month increasing my bankroll to twice as much as I started.That is with a few 1st place finishes along with some others. I think you can make money if you have a pretty solid game! I am in the middle of a bad streak right now myself! No matter what I play I end up getting beat. Winning situations last month are losing ones this month! I used to think online poker is rigged along with a lot of other people,but now realize that there are good and bad swings to this game!
I think you and I are just in the middle of a bad swing.Just keep playing your game and the odds will swing back in you r favor!How long from now I don't know.If it gets too bad take a break.Just don't alter your game to where you may lose more than usual.I have caught my self chasing a lot more and playing sub-par hands!This will only make things worse!
Keep your head up and GL!