I hate days when...
 

the cards stop coming.

and

your opponents cards or stupidity stops when your cards come.

and

flops don't flop on your side of the fence.

and

you lose coinflips.

and

you lose obvious advantages.

and

you think, since you are losing money, that you are playing badly; then you adjust a perfectly sound strategy and lose MORE money.

and

you question your poker abilities because these days have happened sequentially.

and

you get frustrated in life because you lost money (sounds like gambling addiction.... :o ).


Well at least I know that probability says things will have to change at some point in the future.

Stop playing. Seriously. Right now.

Go watch a movie. Come back in a day or two with a clear head, and never forget - poker is a long term game.

lol, 2 day long movies cure all.

Knowing when to take a break
 

One of the big advantages of not playing poker for a living is that you don’t have to play anytime you don’t want to. A week from tonight, I’ll be in Vegas. A week ago, I was running cold, part of what seems to be a lengthy down cycle as of late. So before my big Vegas assault, I’m not playing a single hand for a (little) while. I plan to come back refreshed, my joy in the game renewed, and the nasty side of variance behind me.

There is lots of advise about what to do when running cold, or when poker seems to be occupying too much of your time, money, of otherwise causing problems. The best I know is to simply stop for a while. If that proves exceedingly difficult, there is a problem.

Don’t mean to get all preachy. Good luck.


(Oh. And that not playing a single hand? That's poker only. No-deposit required blackjack doesn't count.)

good luck in vegas. the small break should recharge you and once you hit the tarmac at mccarren you will be making a beeline for the poker room.

the complete availability of online poker is a benefit, but too many people keep plugging away when they really should take some time off and enjoy other aspects of their lives. remember, the game will still be there when you want to come back tomorrow, next week, or next year. have fun with it. (as i begin to sound preachy)