How can I fix this one major leak??

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lukyl

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I have gone from a winning player that I was comfortably living off of for about 2-3 months to losing it all and simply not being able to make it back. During my major downswing where I lost my bankroll, I was playing worse and worse the further I dropped in my bankroll and was playing way too loose calling extremely lite (almost feeling addicted to hero calling) and trying to win any pot I was in with lite 3bet and 4bet shoves when i know for a fact that I'm behind and likely to be called, and refusing to fold big hands when I know I'm beat just because te chances he actually caught this river was slim, but judging by his betting etc. I know I'm behind...

While all this seems like usual donk stuff the problem is I know I'm wrong when I'm in the hand and simply won't listen to myself and this is obviously resulting in a lot of anger towards my self.

Ultimately it feels like I have a problem with success and purposely sabotage my chances at ever being successful with poker. How can I stop this?? What can I do to improve my discipline and change the way I seem to subconsciously hate progress and doing the correct thing.
 
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PlayedYou73

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Well for starters, I think you need to be realistic about referring to yourself as a "winning player" when you were comfortably living off of your earnings for 2-3 months.

2-3 months is certainly not enough time to make a proper assessment of your overall playing ability, particularly if you made just one or two big wins in a tournament by luckboxing your way to the final table. I'm thinking alone the lines of a "Darvin Moon" from the 2009 wsop. To put this in perspective, I could hit it big on a slot machine and be able to live off it for 2-3 months, it doesn't mean I'm good at slots (since no one can be).

The second thing you need to do, is take a break from poker, at least a week. It's summer time, enjoy the beach or a lake or the outside...take up anything else that isn't related to poker. This will allow you to come back, should you choose, after giving yourself some time for self reflection.
 
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lukyl

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Sorry should have mentioned that I was grinding cash games.
 
Mr Sandbag

Mr Sandbag

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Take a break. When you come back, go back to the basics of poker. Sometimes when a player goes on a good run or starts having success, he or she forgets one of the most basic winning moves of poker: surrendering when you are beat.
 
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pokerjack43

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During my major downswing where I lost my bankroll,...i know for a fact that I'm behind and likely to be called, and refusing to fold big hands when I know I'm beat... I know I'm wrong when I'm in the hand and simply won't listen to myself

Those are key phrases I hear a lot.
First, learn and practice strict bankroll management. Regardless of the game you play you will never be a winning player if you cannot manage your bankroll.
Part of this is dropping down levels if your working bankroll is less due to losing sessions.
Keep your playing bankroll separate from your life bankroll. Keep a solid maximum of what your poker bankroll needs to be, and if it gets above take it out and add it to liferoll.
Dont move up levels unless your bankroll can handle it and be prepared to move down according to your bankroll.

second. Get more strict with your play, if you know you are beat fold, this is a skill, develop it.
Always make correct decisions, regardless of emotion. Sure, you feel like this 3/5 will flop the nuts, but calling 3 bets cold with it is a bad decision.
long term winners always make correct and profitable decisions.
 
aa88wildbill

aa88wildbill

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You say you were making a living comfortably, that was the problem. You can never be too comfortable playing poker, there is an element of luck involved. I'm not saying you shouldn't relax, but to get too comfortable is dangerous. Like the other guys said you probably need a break also. Try to play a little tighter! But
 
TheKid84

TheKid84

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Need to learn some discipline, both at the table with cards and with managing the BR.

'Know when to hold them, know when to fold them' - that separates the boys from the men. You wont win every hand.
 
Aces2w1n

Aces2w1n

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Don't spend your poker money Outside of poker ... If you feel like you need to... Well when your having consectitive winning sessions.. Play a cheap MTT and if you go well use the extra money to spend.
 
italiano

italiano

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woow first of all you should calm down! The first thing to look at is if you really were a good player, because the mere fact that I had a good run find yourself not mean you're good! The second thing I can say is that you're not playing with clear ideas as they make bad decisions and play hands that do not work and want to always be the hero! for this I would recommend that you move away from poker time like a vacation, that you will do well because when you'll be back with ideas so much clearer! Finally and not least, you should read some poker book that talks about self control to stop you from entering Tilt! I hope it will be helpful a hug!
 
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baudib1

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you definitely have more than one major leak that needs to be fixed.
 
Monoxide

Monoxide

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the best way to stop multiple leaks is with duct tape


~Einstein
 
Blobweird123

Blobweird123

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As others said, you need better BRM. If you had proper brm, you wouldn't have gone broke here, or at least not as fast. Even with proper brm you can still go broke. But if your a winning player at some levels, you should never go broke. Deposit some more, practice the game and post stuff for analysis, ask lots of questions, play tons of hands, and stick to the limits your BR can easily afford while learning, and you can be a solid winner.

Note: This is all coming from someone who is barely winning lol. I have had bouts of bad BRM too, but in the last few months i've gotten it together and since have had a few more withdrawals than normal :)
 
Aces2w1n

Aces2w1n

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Blobweird when I post some complaints and hands... I'll want some advice from you! :) pokerstars i'm losing in 5nl but 888 i'm winning solid! :)
 
RegHC23

RegHC23

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i will have to say that you need to stay disciplined in your approach to this game. You do not have to be a hero to make money. Get you money in on good spots, play in position and fold when your beat. Its ok to lose. If you lose a little and win a lot that equals success. All the good ones have that trait.
 
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DunningKruger

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I second the duct tape. Fixes just about anything, and can also make a great wallet to hold your winnings for you.
 
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JRock27

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I would start embracing making great folds. That is how I started making a living playing poker. I was just like you, the little voices in my head told me to fold but I just couldn't do it. SAVING MONEY IS MAKING MONEY
 
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