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How to move past a bad session

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11-18-2015 , 09:06 AM

HarryH5656

newbie

Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 16

Yesterday I didn't play great at all. In fact, my poor play was the sole factor of giving me a losing session. I was involved in 3 hands that I had no business being in at all. It haunted me all evening. I am more focused and ready to play today, but what kind of things/tips do you have for moving past a day where you play poorly?

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11-18-2015 , 11:29 AM

rainmaker1855

adept

Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 1,031

first thing is to isolate what the variable was and why your play altered from how it typically does (tired, intoxicated, distracted with real world stuff etc). Knowing why you made the decisions you did that took you to a bad session is key. beyond that, all you can do is take a beat before stepping back in to test the fixes you found in step 1 to make sure your leaks are plugged up. if it is a factor of total net losses (not just bad decisions) I would consider doing your next session one limit level down to get your feet back under you before jumping back up.

GL OP

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11-18-2015 , 02:22 PM

12bigworm81

adept

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,040

Play your game, and try to have fun while at the table. Don't be afraid to be aggressive where you normally would.

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11-18-2015 , 02:39 PM

Bene Gesserit

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 6,365

Well first of all realizing you played badly on some key hands is a good start. If you are a decent player you will know what you did wrong and why and that will be an easier fix. Just go back when you are ready and play again. Variance may bite you , but you likely understand that too. I don't see that you have any special problems. In fact you are ahead of a lot of folks who blame their mistakes on BS factors and learn nothing from their mistakes.

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11-18-2015 , 06:11 PM

Jimulacrum

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,670

You identified three key hands where you made mistakes. Good.

Next, identify exactly where in those hands you made the mistakes, especially where you made your first mistake in each hand. It may also be helpful to try to determine why you made the mistakes (e.g., tiredness, tilt, distraction). Take all of the information from those hands and your session, and use them to figure out how what you should've done in those hands.

Bring that knowledge with you to the table next time, and be sure to use it.

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11-18-2015 , 06:17 PM

Illmatikk

centurion

Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 182

Think about each decision you make before and after you make it. If it doesn't make sense, don't make that play. If you're in a hand you think you have no business being in, then don't compound your mistakes by sticking around.

Each hand is independent of the next; you have the ability to make the best play on every street on every hand when you're in a hand. Make sure to realize this, and don't let your mistakes prevent you from doing so.

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11-18-2015 , 06:24 PM

answer20

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 10,897

Looks like good stuff so far. I have also taken the approach that I wont allow myself to play any non-premium hands the first 3-6 orbits. Pay attention to the table and make some metal notes about whats going on.

I can agree that you need to get back on the saddle but it doesn't hurt to start out in 2nd gear for a bit too. GL

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11-18-2015 , 08:12 PM

Rush17

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,973

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bigworm81

Play your game, and try to have fun while at the table. Don't be afraid to be aggressive where you normally would.

This.

And, I think OP already jumped a HUGE hurdle by even admitting that his bad session was caused by his bad play---- a lot of poker players won't even admit to that, thus causing for the pattern to greatly continue and continue. So, yeah, you know what you did wrong, now go back and play your game, and, just to reiterate---don't play scared money, play an aggressive yet solid game and just relax.

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11-18-2015 , 08:29 PM

HarryH5656

newbie

Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 16

Thanks for the words of encouragement! Today I had a winning session (barely), but a plus is a plus! And I did not make the same mistakes as yesterday, I just didn't hit any draws today, else it could have been a big session.
Good Luck in finding the Nutz

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