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Five ideas on how you can deal with downswings

• 30.06.2025 7:14 pm
• Helen
• 0 Comments

It is possible that every poker player has ever hit a downswing at one point in their game.  These downswings are nothing short of demoralizing. If you are a constant player, you do know that there is no way to prevent downswings. The difference between good players and great players is the different ways they deal with downswings.

For those who are new to this term, downswings are generally that time in your poker career when all you seem to do is book more and more loses. You know you are playing as well as you always do, but you don't seem to have favorable cards coming your way.

If the cards are against you, it is possible to play fantastic poker and still lose. This is the unfortunate thing about the game as it is partly dominated by luck. In case your downswing seem endless, it is possible that you question everything you have ever done at a poker table.

You will start to question your proficiency in the game; you will even imagine that the decks are stacked to your disadvantage.  The tips below will teach you on how to deal with downswings.

• It is time to take time off the game

When you realize you are on a losing spree, it is better to take time off the tables. You will be surprised at how good it feels to take time off the game and just chill out. Frustrations are plenty during downswings and it will not do your poker bankroll any good if you play amidst all the pressure. Taking time off will give you the chance to clear your mind and return to the game stronger.

• Do not lose focus of the bigger picture

Do not doubt the fact that you are a great poker player; otherwise you would not be where you are. Understand that it is normal for every poker player to go through downswings as they are a part of the game.

Remember that poker is a game dominated by short term luck and long term skills, but nothing has changed. It is a game where there are winners and there are losers. You need to be the best of both to make it through poker.

• Move a few stakes down

This is the best way to keep your bankroll in check. By moving a few stakes down will give you the opportunity to keep your stakes down as well as your stress levels. In lower levels, the money at stakes is lower and you can give yourself the pleasure of beating weaker competitors playing at this level. You will realize that, a few sessions of lower level poker games will ultimately bring back your confidence and you will be back to your normal level of play within no time.

• Assess your game

As inevitable as downswings are, if they stay on for to long, you should assess your game play. A downswing is the best way to assess whether you are playing the best poker you can. Downswings are followed by frustrations which in turn lead to tiling and eventually bad play.

You need to find someone you can talk to, like an old poker friend and discuss your previous poker events and assess whether you are simply becoming unlucky or are you often getting into marginal scenarios. By doing this, you actually unveil a lot of things and you will get past that state of feeling sorry for your self.

• You need to focus

The best way to get through a downswing is by playing past it. You can play past it by focusing all your strength on playing poker instead of focusing it on frustration caused by downswings. Learn to play your nest poker through a downswing and they will become the least of your worries.

After you make up your mind of making best decisions when it is your turn to act, you will be back to a winning stretch before you know it.