First part of my trip was awesome but I'm somehow feel more tired after this vacation than before Tomorrow leaving for another trip and that one's gonna be a lot more relaxing.

But anyway, I'm back home for one day between 2 vacation trips. Hit the tables first thing in the morning. https://i.gyazo.com/b99564d1e2f7ad35...acca0ab074.png

basically won two flips at the higher stakes and that defined the whole morning session. I guess if I'm only gonna play 1 day in 3 weeks, might as well run good Probably going back to the tables later today, so anything can still happen.

But first I'm streaming some live PLO Zoom play in 1.5h on BluffTheSpot twitch channel at 2pm CEST.

I’m back in action and I’d like to write about the importance of taking a break.

I’ve been frequently asked for tips on how to deal with downswings. Posing a question in such a way implies that downswings are something special instead of just being normal part of the game – variance.

Taking time off helps to break the illusion of continuity, where one feels that his run (downswing or upswing or whatever) last for x days, weeks or even months. We make one decision at a time – that’s it. Making the best one we can – that’s all that matters. There is no bias in how the cards come, there’s no bias in what decisions we’re facing. Just treat every decision as an isolated problem that needs solving.

Take short breaks during the day, take regular days off during the week and schedule proper holidays throughout the year. Time off means NO POKER! Switch your mind to something else. If you don’t have a hobby – find one. One of the best parts about playing poker for living is that you are free to do what you please with you time. And if it sometimes seems that you’re not enjoying the grind anymore – you’ve got only yourself to blame.

Anyway, my vacation is over now, I’m full of energy to put in some long hours in the next few days. But first, I’m making sure that I don’t open too many tables. I always seem a bit rusty after being 2+ weeks away from the online tables. It takes time to get back to the rhythm of multi-tabling. I’ll stick to < 6 tables for the first couple days. And for those of you who are interested, I’m gonna be back on Twitch tomorrow at 2pm CEST streaming some live play on bluffthespot Twitch channel.

Excellent thread and insights. Thank you.

How many tables do you usually grind at a time? If you do a zoom session, how many tables do you pull up?


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Thanks Usually 6-10 tables. in my 'zoom sessions' I'd still have regular tables on the side, so the number of zoom tables I'd play depends on the number of other tables I have

I've been quite busy at the tables this week, thus didn't find time to update the thread. My poker goal for next week is to be a bit more active here

I'm streaming today at 2pm CEST. This might be the last time I stream during the day on a weekend for quite a while now. Some of you might be able to guess the reason... Premiere League new season is here! I'm stoked. Didn't watch many games last season due to frequent travelling among other things. So this year will be the one where I get my football fix.

Anyway, now my streams will be on weekdays. Skipping next week, but will schedule one for August 20 some time late afternoon. And this time I'd like to review somebody else's footage on stream. Had a lot of fun doing that before. Anyone can apply. If you want me to review your footage, send me a message.

Reviewing Mephisto's footage on stream today at 6pm CEST. Tune in on bluffthespot channel on Twitch.

I'm planning to write a long post on the subject of dealing with variance as this question pops up again and again. Any other topics you guys would want to read about in the future?

It's always interesting listening to discussions on life balance.

Thanks for making this thread, it's going to be an insightful one.

It would be good if you can talk about the current game conditions and what you think the future state of poker will be. Everyone keeps talking about games drying up and I'm experiencing it myself too. I think games are still beatable if you stay ahead of the curve, but variance is definitely higher as edges get smaller , while winrates shrink.

That's a great topic.I'll definitely write about this. Might even do a twitch stream on this. Will let you know

Very relevant topic in the light of recent changes on PokerStars. I'll put this one on my to do list

and just to let you all know, I haven't forgotten about the post about dealing with variance. It's still in the making. I've just been more busy that I expected last week. Had some pretty good games and still trying to enjoy summer whenever I can. Anyway, I'm planning to use the graphs from this month in my post as illustration, so I'll make sure to finish writing it next week at the latest.

Oh, forgot to mention. We had a great stream last week reviewing the footage sent in by Mephisto. So I'm going to continue tomorrow (Tuesday) 6pm CEST with the rest of his footage.

Last stream was full of interesting spots and in depth theory discussions, hoping for more of the same tomorrow. Tune in on BluffTheSpot channel on twitch!

Looking forward to more PLO content on the BTS twitch channel.

Wonderful thread. Subbed

WCOOP has started, great news I only play something like 1-2 tournaments per year on average. So today's event might just be it

Don't like playing tournaments for many reasons, the late night schedule is chief among them. I got into the rhythm of waking up late over the last week and I hate it. However I managed to jump into quite a few 5k and 10k plo games in the evenings so this tournament thing might just be worth it

Anyway, best of luck to all of you playing WCOOP events. Give me a shout if you sit at my table

PS
the post about dealing with variance is still in the making. When I have to choose between a good 5k+ table or finishing that post, it's really not much of a contest

Busted early yesterday and decided not to rebuy. Just couldn't imagine myself staying focused till 4am. And I'm glad I didn't. Cash games were great, ended up playing till 2am, but was totally exhausted after that. I might post a few hands when the busy period is over, there were plenty of funky spots yesterday.

I will try to get into a more late night schedule before the 5k plo event, but tbh not sure I'll stick to it. Playing at night is something I walked away from a long time ago. It's really hard (at least for me) to have a normal life while trying to live in a different timezone to everyone else around me. And 'sacrificing' a normal life is not something I'm willing to do for a few extra bucks.

I couldn't imagine what it's like to be a tournament pro where you can't dictate your schedule and you are at the mercy of a lot of RNG and little control of when you can sleep/live/eat.

Hey guys, last couple weeks have been hectic. Played only one event in the WCOOP. Didn't get into late night schedule, so I skipped all other events. Cash game action has been pretty good though.

Leaving for another short vacation trip tomorrow. I know I've had quite a few of those lately, but that's one of the perks of being your own boss

I have this hand from 2 days ago that I didn't find time to analyse yet, so I though I might as well put it out here and hopefully we'll have a productive discussion about it. Things you need to know: it's a pretty tough line-up, Villain (UTG) is a good reg, there is an active recreational player sitting on the BTN in this hand.

https://www.weaktight.com/h/5d812158d390430e458b46f3

Awesome to have a good PLO player making a PGC!
I will be following...




I have a question for you with a mental problem that I struggle with from time to time.

To give some context, i have a regular job and therefore do not rely on the money that i make from poker. The money that I'v won has pulled me out of a very poor financial position to a somewhat comfortable position, if it wasn't for poker and my willingness to put in the hours and grind it out, my life would not be as good.

Whilst I like playing poker to an extent, the only reason that i am playing is because of the money that i can make from the game and in the games that I play, I am a far better than the vast majority of my opponents imo.

So when I'm playing cash games and winning things seem 'business as usual'
i.e. I'm sacrificing my time + making good decisions and am being awarded $ for it... this is what is supposed to happen.
But when I'm losing, my mindset is terrible, I have a massive feeling of 'injustice' because I'm sacrificing my time, playing well and being on the wrong side of variance/runouts/whatever you want to phrase it and then usually go to bed pissed off.

I have a continuous loop in my head when I lose that goes something like "F poker, i don't even enjoy this game anymore, why do i sill bother? I should just quit playing altogether and focus my time on x". Then usually the next day i think "stop being a little girl, it's part of the game, toughen up, reset and get your mofuggin money back player, Lets freaking go! ".

Have you ever had these feelings (I think most pros have at one time or another) and how do you deal with them.

GLGL sir! will be following

Anticipating some updates

Vacation is over. Back to business

I will post my replies when I get a chance. But first I'd like to inform that I'm gonna be streaming tomorrow at 6pm CEST on bluffthespot Twitch channel as usual. Do you prefer live play or hand review?

Welcome back.

Live play is good, but hand review is more valuable.

2nd vote for hand review!

Cool. Gonna do a hand review on Twitch next week then. Tune in October 10, 6pm CEST

If you can make it visual, either in the PT4 replayer, or a YT vid like what MMA does. Or you could do a live rail of the 500 zoom pool - those are always fun.