Getting your head straight during a downswing

Sometimes it feels like everyone you play with is outplaying you. This feeling is usually happens during a downswing and it can be very dangerous. Why? Because it can lead you to that dangerous zone where you try to outplay everyone and end up "fixing" what's not broken, which in turn worsens the downswing and creates a very dangerous vicious cycle. So, how do you get your head straight during these rough patches? The solution is simple, and it all has to do with confidence.

This is an area where I still struggle, even after half a million hands, because poker is a game that can really mess with your brain. However, here are some tips that can help solidify a shaken confidence ; practice solid bankroll management. When you have 80 buy-ins, that 20 BI downswing will be a lot easier to go through. If you only have 40 BI, the same swing will make you feel very uneasy (in which cases you should definitely step down in limits for a while).

Second, look back at times where you won. If you've won over 100k hands at any given limit, especially over 1ptBB/100, chances are very high that you are a winner in your game. This means even if you don't improve dramatically, you'll always win money playing your usual game at that stake (obviously, players improve overtime but this process can take many months, if not years).

Third, look at the graphs of successful players. Notice how some of them have 50k, or even 100k stretches where they break-even, with huge swings in-between. This can give you perspective, you'll notice that you're not alone and that even though it seems like the end of the world, your downswing is perfectly normal. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and even good players still make some very stupid mistakes at times. This is why you don't need to be perfect to win, you just need to make a few less mistakes than your opponents and you're gold!

Finally, look through your database and appreciate your game. We often hear about leak-finding database-digging sessions, especially during a downswing. While it is true that the downswing may be caused by bad play and you should try to spot leaks that may have developped without you noticing, I think there's a delicate balance that must be achieved. Looking only at your faults or at the things other players do better than you can lead to a state where you feel your game is no longer appropriate for the stake you play, despite your proven winning record. This is poison to your confidence, especially when mixed with a downswing.

Thus, I recommend an appreciation session in your database. Look at all the hands you played well. That good barrel, the nice raise bluffs, that sweet hand where you extracted maximum value with an overpair, all those thin river bets you didn't miss, all the good laydowns you've made. Take some time to appreciate the player you've become and notice how your game, while not perfect, still has a lot of things right. This can really give you a positive outlook on your game, rebuild your confidence and break the vicious cycle a downswing can create. So get out there and play with your head high!