What goes up must come down!

[Padawan]

After running unbelievable when moving up to 50NL from 20NL, basically running over the limit in about 4 days. I've spent the last week and a half being stomped on. Basically either being outkicked by 1 card or getting one PP (ex: QQ vs KK) constantly their pair being one card over... Having a Pair and flush draw against TP and just missing... Having St8 and Flush Draw and missing. Getting it in with AK vs QQ, JJ, 1010 all pre and never coming out on top.. As well as the worst of it QQ vs 22 pre flop and getting 2 outered on the river. The list continues... Ive ran as tight as a 17/14 style and the loosest was 24/17 nothing seems to really work.. I met with loltrickedu while he was in Cali and am going to begin coaching with him sometime in the next 2 weeks.. Right now bankroll is at $1100, down from $2300.. I have about $260 coming to me in rakeback so that always helps a little but definently doesnt make up for the losses. Bonus is all cleared at cake but dont really want to take out any money yet until I can remove $500 from cake and still be able to play at 50NL... I will keep you all updated on my success with coaching... I work as a building inspector for large commercial construction projects and things are beginning to slow down. I really need to improve my game to be able to supply a little extra income when times get tough..

Good luck everyone.

[TheDeKay]

1. Do NOT count on poker to supply a little extra income.
2. You lost 24 buyins on 50NL? Or did you take a shoot at 100NL?

[nawhead]

I think you were playing a fairly high variance style before (the preflop stuff with AK,TT,JJ) but just came out on the right side of the coin mostly, even if you were playing "tight" in your mind. The kicker stuff is expected if you're playing against other decent players and you're trying to push through thinner edges to get back to winning.

Even if you still have the bankroll for 50NL still, I'd say it's time for a good break or a drop back down because it sounds like you're playing every session to win back your lost profits which could easily kick you back to 20NL proper.

Play with less pressure and post some hand histories to see if you're really just running completely bad or trying to make things happen too much and not really playing the situation.

Misery loves company so.. I've been playing really bad myself after my heater. And it came to a head last night after a full day's work, 4 hours of sleep the night before, an empty stomch, and a 6-pack of beer while 1 tabling a full ring table and dropping 3.5 buys over 200 hands. And even after saying that, I still think I played OK for the session (a few coolers, a big draw that didn't get there, etc.). But I've lost the patience and clarity to pick the right spots to play my hands profitably. I'm not just getting coolered, I'm also putting myself into spots (even if I have a playable hand) where I'm just getting too aggressive or too passive on a whim. Running bad and playing bad.

Running better won't improve this part of one's game. To become a better player, I think it's just as important to understand how to recognize these sort of life situations and play them properly as well. Easier said than done, however.

[Padawan]

I went down to about $1600 on 100NL and then dropped back down to 50NL realizing I wasnt ready for that limit yet... Ill try to post some of the hand history so you guys can see what Im talking about and tell me if I played em too strong... Cant do it right now since Im in the middle of moving and the truck is gonna be here tomorrow and we just started packing today... ooops... Well I have been sick the past week and the week before that was out of work because of a sprained ankle so really haven't been able to do much....

Anyways to the comment of dont rely on poker as extra income all I have to say to that is... This is why I am trying to get better... I am driven to make this a part time job, possibly even full time if I can get that good... I have a great career but at times it just isnt enough for me... My wife fully supports my goal but before I would ever turn to this money as any sort of income it would be after having a consistant winning rate at 100NL (more likely above that) for a period of minimum 2 years. I know this is not a journey or decision you can make after running good for even a couple months... But if you, me, or anyone plays everyday for 2 years and is a winning player.. Then I believe that person has a shot at making this at least a part time job if not go pro....

This may be a pipe dream for me.. but I do believe its possible... and I've never given up until I was beat, bloody, and on the side of the street... and I've been pretty close to that and gotten up.

kind of intense there sorry about that, just believe we can all do this if we put enough time and effort... It is not out of any of our reach... I believe someone posted before Phil Ivey was a losing player for 2 years before going pro.. Don't underestimate yourself.

[R8tme]

Just cool off. Rewatch again NL50 videos,and start playing your A game.

[TheDeKay]

@ Padawan:
What I just wanted to say: Do not calculate, that you will earn enough money through poker to supply your live. Of course - it is possible, but I think, that you need some kind of talent for playing cards, since I know some ppl, who play about every game they know really bad ^^
I cannot say anything about you, since I don't know you.

I do not want to be mean - I just want to be realistic and say, that most of us will never make huge amounts of money through poker - no matter how hard we work.

[ThatDeviant]

With enough confidence, hard work and ability i think you can achive whatever you want. Poker is no different.

[Padawan]

@Dekay

I totally understand what your saying, and I agree with you that most will not make it. Not because they can't, just because they are not willing to put the time and effort that it takes. Even right now I know I can do more to improve my game and am slowly working towards doing those things. I definently understand the "be safe mentality" of not getting ones hopes up.

@Devient
Exactly... You want something bad enough and are willing to put the time it takes to improve.. you can make it.