Cash games: Cold cards.

Hello. I have started this thread to discuss how to deal with the cold waves of cards all poker players must endure.

Over the years, it seems cold cards strike now and again. If the wave lasts for an hour or two, no big deal. But sometimes, it seems to be neverending. I have just struck out with three buy ins over the last week, getting cold cards.

I play live. I was reading some threads, and it seems many of this forums members play online. I am telling you this because live players are considerably worse than online players (in my humble opinion, from my experience). I play live because I like the environment, and the soft competition.

But when I get cold cards, I feel powerless. I start losing my confidence. Meanwhile, these ultra aggressive players entering pots with ATC are chugging along.

I am patient. I wait for premium (we all tilt, but I don't tilt very much). I consider position very important. So I finally look down at A-Ko or something better in late position. I make my standard raise (which I establish on the table). Usually I get at least one caller, maybe multiple callers. Then, an ugly flop for my hand. This has happened the last 3 buy ins. Sometimes I c-bet here, sometimes not. Depends on how many opponents, and their table image.

How do the rest of you manage a downswing? How can I keep myself and my game intact in spite of my confidence going on a downswing too?

I try not to fault other players for the way they play. I try to always ask myself: Where did I go wrong, and how could I have played that hand better?

But, we are all human. I never insult anyone at the table. I always say nice things, or nothing at all. If I get busted, I leave with class. No speech, no complaining. But I have my thoughts. I just can't believe some of the crap people chase with.

But some of these players are just so bad, I can't even believe they have chips in front of them for any length of time. This is why I play poker, to exploit the weak players, and win money - plain and simple. But when I can't hit any cards, I am powerless. I am worried this may be the beginning of an epic downswing, and that is why I started this thread. It is very tough to bluff bad players. They simply don't even think about table image, position, anything. They are so inattentive, they don't even know you haven't played a hand in 45 minutes.

Is there anything I can do to help avoid a big downswing? Should I stay away from the tables for a while? I love poker, and I am motivated. I am slowly building a bankroll. I do not want to go bust because of this.

I should also add I have no desire to play online seriously. It is just not my scene. And I am not much of a MTT player. I thrive on live cash tables. I am pretty decent at reading people, and I can't do this online. I only mention this because someone may suggest playing online low stakes or something. I am not dismissing it entirely, just saying it will take some convincing to get me to play online.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm in the same position at the Microstakes. Constantly getting drawn out on by horrible players. I just stop playing, grab some food and watch other peoples misery in the forms of youtube videos. I find that food + laughter is a great combo to cheer yourself up. This generally removes me from the poker zone, you know the place where everything in your mind is poker and nothing but poker...Yeah that place...Does no good to be there when you are tilted. I would say that when these bad beats happen try to distance yourself from the game mentally, when you realise how much other stuff there is a few bad beats wont seem so significant. I'm sure you have a smartphone, do something on the internet that will cheer you up and then when you look down at aces you can jump back into the poker zone, refreshed and ready to stack some fish. As you said they are so oblivious that they wont see any change in demeanour.

Other than that all I can really say is good luck!

Hey i was in the same position for the begining of my poker experience. i switched up my game plan and totaly revamped my outlook. i went to Limit Hold-Em and up to 5/10 cent, its alot cheaper and u wont get out drawn if playing correctly, ull c yourself in positions that if it was NL you woulda shoved but woulda been demolished by that fish that just keeps on trying to get that last card for his set, flush, or straight. It really helped change my game for me. Mayb it can help you. im not saying that everyone will like this but i just really found a new place to got to now to gain experience and am really enjoying myself. so goodluck guys and best wishes on your upcoming events!!!

And welcome to the forum man, as a new member here myself i can say ive really loved this past month, has a great community,everyones got something on there mind and willing to share their input on whatever the issue or subject might be,. hope you enjoy this as much as i have man. Take care

Well I'll address one thing, one piece of advice (I wish I had followed more closely in the past). This is from a pro poker coach -

paraphrase
"Realize that there are going to be those nights it is just not going to happen for you. You are going to get frustrated and start forcing action. Have the guts to call it off - just get out and come back another night."

MediaBLITZ said:

Well I'll address one thing, one piece of advice (I wish I had followed more closely in the past). This is from a pro poker coach -

paraphrase
"Realize that there are going to be those nights it is just not going to happen for you. You are going to get frustrated and start forcing action. Have the guts to call it off - just get out and come back another night."

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+1

And this goes for online as well, maybe even more so than live, where half the entertainment is the semi-clad waitresses bringing you cheap drinks.....

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really dont have many poker players to talk to. Now I do.

When I play live, I'm playing 200NL, because of the slower pace etc. After playing online, my problem is that I often get bored, and start playing too many marginal hands.

Don't let the variance keep you down. If you feel like you're not hitting cards, just pay extra attention to position, and don't play as many speculative hands. That way, you won't be put in too many awkward decisions.

Hey man your most welcome. im New here myself man if u ever need someone to chat with Just PM me once you have met the requirements. And if you wana have someone to pay with im always down for some friendly comeptition, and getting to meet alot of others along the way. Have a good one man Keep in touch around here. Its a really great place to be. ive just enjoyed evry moment here and thers always someone to give yah that push of support or share a moment, and guide yah along the way. So have a Blast and See yah out at the Tables!!!

Okay, here is one brutal example:

I just left the charity cardroom. I will try to give as many details as possible.

My table image was tight. I played 2 hands in an hour. There is an early position raise for 16, one caller, and tight players to my left. Initial raise was from a weak player, then the table maniac called (sitting directly on my right). I look down at 2 red 4's. I am not worried about a reraise, as the 2 players to my left make it obvious they are folding. So I call.

Flop comes: 4-8-8 with two spades.

UTG bets $40, maniac raises to 90. I shove for $189. UTG contemplates for a second, then calls. Maniac calls quickly, while mentioning he knows I hold 4-4.

Turn 10, river K.

I show my 4's, maniac rolls over 10-10. A 2 outer.

He couldnt beat much on the flop, and he raises (I believe UTG held an 8, because he commented, but perhaps only a flush draw). I shoved, and he knew he was behind, but he calls anyway.

When hand is all over, he says he couldnt fold because he was getting great odds, and he was already committed. He was a 9-1 dog on the flop. So he turns a 2 outer, and pot gets shipped to him.

I watched the maniac rebuy 3 times in 30 minutes. Always bluffing, very aggressive, etc.

I am just so disappointed. Such bad play (in my humble opinion), and yet he is rewarded for chasing a 2 outer.

And finally, I only brought one buy in. So I had to leave. I wished I would have bought more, because it is likely I could get it all back with interest.

Just an awful night at the cardroom. The wave continues......

well im no professional but it seems to me that based on that situation you should open up your range a bit, because if the players to your left are both very nitty then you could potentially exploit that

We've alll been there and its one of the toughest feelings in poker... it'll make you question how good of a player you really are and guarantee makes a majority of players question returning to the felt at all... Ive found it most helpful to analyze my hands win or lose not based on the outcome of the hand but based on whether the play i made was right... this way i'm constantly learning about my game and even when i lose if i believe i made the right move i know eventually the cards will go in my favor and i will be stacking those fish in no time! Positive thinking promotes positive play... negative thinking will not necessarily make bad cards come but it will SEEM like they are far more frequent... chill out listen to music and be happy that you have the time and money to play this great game

It doesn't work equally well every time, but I find it pretty much always helps somewhat to remind myself that I play more for enjoyment than for the money (granted they're not completely separable), that I only play with money I can afford to lose (both BRM-wise and emotionally), and that my overall trajectory has always been profitable despite the many downward blips I've experienced of the past several years.

Yes positive thinking is definately important. However, the wave of bad cards seems to be over. Yaaaaaaay.

Beanfacekilla said:

Yes positive thinking is definately important. However, the wave of bad cards seems to be over. Yaaaaaaay.

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GOOD! always a good feeling!:elefant:

Good its looking up for you. I'm in a bit of a downswing myself.

One thing to realize about "bad" players is that some of them actually just enjoy chasing down long shots or playing completely based off luck. Some people just genuinely enjoy coin flips because thats how they get their rush out of poker. Don't feel compelled to play against these people but sometimes, when you have alot of drawing outs against these maniacs, you just gotta say 'eff it and really just ride the roleercoaster (maybe its just me on the rollercoaster) But anyways, watching other peoples demise in the cardroom, as awful as it sounds definitely cheers me up, especially if they lose alot more than I do. But I dont generally like to listen to music while playing cards, but I always have headphones on me just in case I am feeling antsy or that I am generally not having a good day. Music always makes me feel better, while also occupying my mind, rather than constantly thinking about the next hand, because honestly, when im running that cold, i make some pretty stupid decisions when I finally get some good cards. I.e. pushing my premium hands alot harder pre-flop than I normally would and just playing completely out of my scope.

Hey beanface good to see another MI player on here! I've been out of poker for a year or more now due to what you were feeling! Bad cards just never seemed to go away and I was in situations just like yours with the 44 v 1010. I used to play local and online but I now refuse to deposit to online poker. I like the live feel much better, so I now will only take my cash to a REAL card room haha rather than virtual. Keep playing your style, the cards will change eventually, and those nights where you just can't make a hand, simply don't play, you will loose your bank from frustration. Those players who sit all day at the charity houses don't care if they lose money cause they have more haha (that's how they are by me haha), so just wait for your opportunities and strike.

Yup. On another wave of crappy cards right now. I've been running really bad lately. People are outdrawing me left and right (if I connect with the flop, that is). I think I'm gonna give live poker a break for a while.

Very frustrating.

Beanfacekilla said:

Yup. On another wave of crappy cards right now. I've been running really bad lately. People are outdrawing me left and right (if I connect with the flop, that is). I think I'm gonna give live poker a break for a while.

Very frustrating.

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like i said they don't care if they lose money, they're just there for fun and to beat up ppl like us who play the game for money, with reason. Your luck will turn, they don't run lucky forever just gotta get em on the right days! Good luck to you out there