I appreciate the reception that my article on when not to play poker has received. One of my points was never to play when you are in a slump. Actually, as some of you have said, it's impossible to avoid slumps if you play a lot of poker. So, as a follow-up I thought that instead of avoiding playing poker when in a slump, that it would be better to list some techniques for surviving the inevitable poker slumps.
It's critically important to understand the reasons you are continually losing. Such things as your mood, or not having much fun, may have resulted in you being complacentâ€"a condition that eventually leads to losing. Whether you are among the best poker players or new to the game, you will eventually experience a slump. It's a part of poker and life and surviving such events are more possible if you are not surprised. When you're playing poker you can't expect to win every hand and you can't expect good cards every time. Similarly, you can't expect to have a slump last forever. Just be patient and don't do anything stupid in the meantimeâ€"like frequent bluffing or playing cards out of boredom. As a guide for when in a slump, I created this acronym:
Stay Cool. The worst think you can do when in a slump is to go on tilt and start looking at mistakes others made. Instead, you need to take the time to evaluate what you did to lose the hand or series of hands. As long as you are not winning, take the time to chill-out and examine what changes you may need to make in your strategies.
Look at your game. Did you read the other players or their hands correctly? Are you focused, or has your game relaxed and you find yourself believing the BS that others are feeding you? What's different from your “A†game. If you are not winning, it might be more than a change in luck. Or are you now chasing your luck? If so, that's a big mistake.
Use the lull as an opportunity preceding your winning. A good salesperson knows that every refusal gets him or her closer to a sale. Every loss, whether it came from incredible luck, a bad beat, or just carelessness on your part will get you closer to winning a future pot. Remember, slumps don't last forever.
Maintain yourself and remember to avoid monotony. These down periods are chances to revitalize, take a break, and evaluate how well you pay attention. Remember, monotony is the cement of failure. You can't afford to let your spirits be downcast. Use these down-periods to your advantage. Know that you are going to get your share of good and bad cards and use the time to refresh yourself. Sometimes maintenance means doing something entirely different, like going home or playing a different game.
Patience is the virtue of poker. A lot of players treat slumps as if they are curses personally aimed at them. Show me a poker player who hasn't had frequent slumps and I'll show you a new poker player. Baseball has its slumps and so does poker. As baseball has been referred to as a “game of failure,†poker hands you'll be dealt are also more likely to be thrown in the muck than played for their intrinsic value. That's why they shuffle the desk to create random generations.
So, instead of avoiding poker altogether when you are in a slump, learn how to survive a losing streak. And don't let your emotions cause you to do something stupid like quit the game altogether. Learn how to handle down-times. That's life and it's part of playing poker.
Jim McKenna has been practicing psychotherapy for more than thirty-five years. His books include the acclaimed Beyond Tells: Power Poker Psychology, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker, and Beyond Traps: The Anatomy of Poker Success, all published by Kensington Press. Write to Jim@Jimmckenna-PhD.com.
