A LOT of bad Flops!...I feel SO frustrated

Hi guys!

I've been playing a lot recently on Titan and Everest poker.

In the last 3 days, I've been receiving many good hands (AK, AA, QK, 1010, JJ) But when the flop comes,.....NOTHING!....then the turn,....NOTHING!

Even when I had only a pair like 1010 or JJ, another player has a better pair

this has been happening 9 out of 10 hands.

What do you guys do when this happens to you so frequently? Quit playong for some days?

Cheers!

Alke

When I run into streaks like that I tend to back off for a few days to avoid going on tilt. I had to learn this the hard way, though. I haven't been playing too long, but wanted to see if I could build up a bankroll from $0. I played freerolls and cashed in some and then played low limit rings and sngs. I slowly built up to around $65 (I know this is not much money, but the progress was encouraging). I then ran into a major bad streak similar to what you described, not to mention many bad beats over several days. Ended up getting very frustrated and played a few $5 sngs to try and make up for it, but the streak continued. I ended up losing the whole $65 - quickly! The moral here is when the bad streaks come - and they will - take some time off, analyze your game - or simply spend some time doing other things. This doesn't mean when you come back, you'll only get good flops, however your mindset should be much better.

Good luck and hang in there.

I made the same mistakes in $5 SnGs. I lost and then I thought "O.k, I will play again to recover"..BAM!!... 5$ less,.... "O.k. now it is....I i will recover"....BAMMM!!! Lost again.

Right now I feel very dissapointed and I have that feeling in the stomach that when I read the word "poker" I feel kind of bad.

Well,....but I am a beginner and trying to learn the strategies as good as i can.

Cheers!

Alex.

I know the feeling guys I am right there now I am on a 18+ losing streak and I am really frustrated but I still continue to play hoping that my luck will change.I stopped playing for only 1-2days but that didn't help,who knows today could be my day.

Yes, I've had the feeling too - mostly caused by the recognition of my own stupidity - not sticking to a plan. If we can learn from these experiences and improve, then they are valuable lessions. If we don't learn and repeat the same mistakes, well....

Analyse your own play. Look to see if there is anything you could have done differently. If not then take positives from playing well, you will get the money in the end. If you notice things to improve, note them down and make a mental note to work on them.

Usually, the boredom of going through HHs makes me come off tilt as I usually go off and do something other than poker.

Not sure if you are talking cash or tourney, but being a cash player, I'll use that frame of thought for my response.

If you are running bad or getting cold decked in a session. Stop the session and take the night off or take a break to avoid a snowball of frustration which can put you off your game, costing you money.

Otherwise, I believe you have to play through these stretches in order to advance. This is part of the game and even though Pocket Aces might be an 80%ish favorite preflop to win the hand, it will lose 10% of the time. As for the other Hole Cards mentioned, you're going to miss the flop far more often than you hit it. By playing thru these stretches, you'll learn how to play these cards even when you miss which will eventually make you a consistant profitable player. It'll also teach you to deal with the highs and lows you will experience down the road.....That's Poker.

If you're losing with AA often, you are either getting outdrawn by players that got lucky, you are not protecting your hand correctly or you are getting too attached to the Aces because they're "Supposed" to win.

I've looked thru a lot of peoples hand histories to try to help them with the problems you mention in your OP and find the biggest problem is they don't know how to play AA, KK, AK properly, by protecting their hand. They also get too attached to it and can't fold.

For example: You hold AA and the flop comes KQJ with two of a suit. Ask yourself if this a good flop for Aces? It looks like it is, but in reality, it might be the worst flop you could see. Think about the hands that would have called PF before you insta-call any bet or reraise. You are likely up against hands like KQ, KJ, A10, 10 10, AK, QQ, KK, JJ, J10 if you raised PF. You are now facing either a set, two pair, a big flush draw or a big strt draw. Even if you hit one of the remaining Aces for a set of your own, you likely fill a Straight. A 10 comes filling your straight and you're most likely chopping and that would probably be the best you could hope for.

If you put in a raise PF to protect your hand and still get a call or two, think about what they could hold based on what you know about them. Then proceed with this in mind and don't get attached to hands that look pretty, but in reality have little potential of winning you the pot.

Just one example of what I see quite often that causes people to lose large amounts with Pocket Aces.

I'm not going to get into specifics on how to control pot size, etc. to minimize your losses in these situations, but by playing thru these stretches, you'll eventually learn how to deal better.

Just my thoughts....

I'm having one of those trying to move up in limits. Posting about it here helped a lot, both to point out what I am doing wrong, and reassure me there's a good bit I'm doing right. It also prompted me to do the mathematical analysis of some of my losses and see that losing like that was actually very unlikely.

I wouldn't take time off unless it's affecting your playing. I'm much more a math player than an emotional player. I solidly believe in statistical independence. That I lost the last tournament has zero bearing on whether I'm likely to win or lose the next one. Don't move up in levels to "catch up". When you do that, you're just magnifying your swings. Unless you have the bankroll to deal with swings of that magnitude, you shouldn't do it.

RF

I agree with playing through it. It will make you a better player in the end. Cards go cold and there is nothing you can do about it. A good player will be able to save money during these stretches and weather the storm. That said, if you tilt easily mabye it is best to take a break. Nothing is worse than waiting for a good starting hand only to have it miss the flop over and over. Hang in there

I wonder what a professional player do if this lasts for weeks?

You have to be patient and stick to the game plan. As long as you play these hands by the book you will win over a long period. You cannot judge poker of a short period and even the best players in the world have spells like this. Remember when you have a pocket pair your chances of hitting trips are only around 11% which is 1 in 9. If somebody has 10's and you JJ's he has the same chance as you of hitting trips. Spend some time on learning the percentages and keep records over a period of time and check these to see how your game is doing. Also you have to be very honest with yourself and admit when you lost because of a bad call. Do not blame bad calls on bad beats.

I feel like a right noooob asking this but Im gonna have to. I always hear people talking percentages - (ok here it comes) - is it that important in the game? I have been playing online now for about 2 years, I think, and in the beginning I read anything I could find relating to poker but have fallen by the wayside regarding "poker theory" and have been spending all my time on "poker practical". Does Poker tracker help with this kind of thing - I have it but have not used it as I have no clue as to how to operate it. Anyone out there perhaps have a simplified poker tracker guide?

Wow, I dont feel very bright after that but what the heck...

OK, It happens to me alot but its easy to get through like you said you can take a break... Or try do some other things like playing play money. Another thing is depending on what your already playing go into a 10cent tournament or 1 cent 2 cent game and just try playing weak cards on blinds. ( Not the best solution )
Usually the best solution is to go play with play money for a little bit just to catch a breath and than go back to real money

I would have to say i also was on a similar streak and i made a deposit and BANG no more bad beats...wow ...how easy that was....when your cards go cold like that...re-set the the "what have you done for me lately" AKA deposit/cashier screen...every1 says it has nothing to do with it but i disagree. Make a deposit get better cards

if this is tru i will gonna deposit right now
And you say: Even when I had only a pair like 1010 or JJ, another player has a better pair .
those are not good hands bro obiously other player will do.

It DOES happen to them. You won't see it often on the TV shows because 'fold, fold, fold' is not exciting coverage to watch. Even when they show a table, there are often pros they mention that haven't played a hand in a while, or even rarely at all that day.

It can easily go on for weeks, or more. Read some of the poker mags and reports when they talk about how much of a slump 'x' or 'y' player has been suffering.

When it comes down to it, I think that the best way to deal with the beats and constant missed draws is to try and take a break. Even a few minutes away from the tables just staring out the window, or in more severe cases a self imposed week long ban can get your mind rejuvenated and ready to take on some more angering poker. Missing chances sucks, and when you have to lay down a good hand it can mess with you, so I think the best advice I can give is to sit back and take your mind of poker for a bit. Waiting and waiting, .... and waiting on hands to play can be agonizing and sometimes boring to the point where you play hands you know you shouldn't and lose some money. Sometimes you just gotta step away and realize that poker doesn't want you right now, but it'll get lonely and want your company soon enough...