LD1977
Legend
Silver Level
As some of you know, I had a pretty nasty dip a while back and now after almost a full month (it started on 13.12.2013.) I clawed my way out of the hole. This wasn't exactly my first downswing but it is probably the longest (also due to somewhat low volume I put in).
During this time I talked to some people and read some threads on the forum and it appears that many players tend to go into a tailspin when downswing hits them and that often results in ruination or complete wipe out of the bankroll.
So I decided to try and contribute my thoughts on this subject, maybe it helps someone, who knows.
1) Use the downswing as a signal that you need to analyze and possibly reevaluate your strategy.
I always do this and even though most of the time nothing special comes out of it, sometimes there are startling revelations that just blow my mind (what there is ). As it happens this last one was a true hit, as it revealed a leak I had since I started playing a year ago and wasn't aware of it it was well hidden, what can I say.
2) Sound bankroll management speeds up the recovery.
By this I mean that many people use aggressive BR strategy and when they get hit they either try to remain on the current level (and usually go broke) or have to go down and grind back the losses.
Problem with this is that if you are doing it 2NL <-> 5NL or 10NL <-> 25NL you waste a crapload of time recouping losses (16BI downswing at 25NL level is 40BI at 10NL!).
This causes frustration and additional tilt, especially for people who like to give themselves fixed time goals ("I have to make X money by date Y"). It is much simpler to stay on the level and grind it back on it (after you did the whole analysis and leak identification thing).
3) Patience is key
Even after you do 1) correctly and BRM allows you to stay on the same level, fish are still gonna cooler you, you will occasionally run into sets several times per session and all the usual crap will keep happening. Suck it up it took me 9.5k hands to get into the hole and 27k to get out. It is easier to spew than to earn.
This is enough for now, they say 3 points are the maximum people can absorb in one sitting and besides this really is it
Brag pic (note 16BI downswing in 9.5k hands, ouch):
During this time I talked to some people and read some threads on the forum and it appears that many players tend to go into a tailspin when downswing hits them and that often results in ruination or complete wipe out of the bankroll.
So I decided to try and contribute my thoughts on this subject, maybe it helps someone, who knows.
1) Use the downswing as a signal that you need to analyze and possibly reevaluate your strategy.
I always do this and even though most of the time nothing special comes out of it, sometimes there are startling revelations that just blow my mind (what there is ). As it happens this last one was a true hit, as it revealed a leak I had since I started playing a year ago and wasn't aware of it it was well hidden, what can I say.
2) Sound bankroll management speeds up the recovery.
By this I mean that many people use aggressive BR strategy and when they get hit they either try to remain on the current level (and usually go broke) or have to go down and grind back the losses.
Problem with this is that if you are doing it 2NL <-> 5NL or 10NL <-> 25NL you waste a crapload of time recouping losses (16BI downswing at 25NL level is 40BI at 10NL!).
This causes frustration and additional tilt, especially for people who like to give themselves fixed time goals ("I have to make X money by date Y"). It is much simpler to stay on the level and grind it back on it (after you did the whole analysis and leak identification thing).
3) Patience is key
Even after you do 1) correctly and BRM allows you to stay on the same level, fish are still gonna cooler you, you will occasionally run into sets several times per session and all the usual crap will keep happening. Suck it up it took me 9.5k hands to get into the hole and 27k to get out. It is easier to spew than to earn.
This is enough for now, they say 3 points are the maximum people can absorb in one sitting and besides this really is it
Brag pic (note 16BI downswing in 9.5k hands, ouch):
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