How to Handle Winning and Losing at Poker
If you play poker for any length of time, you’re going to encounter both winning streaks where you can do no wrong as well as losing streaks, where the cards are against you no matter what you do. While you really can’t avoid the streaks, there are things you can do to handle winning and losing better.
When You’re Winning: Remember what got you here. Continue to be patient, waiting for good starting hands, and continue to be aggressive when you get them. A common mistake players on a roll make is that they start to play too many hands, thinking that since they’re on such a roll, they can win with any hand. Stick to your guns and wait for good hands.
You also shouldn’t move up in limits, just because you’re winning, unless you have the bankroll for it. Many players make the mistake of moving up too quickly to a bigger game, because they’re winning so easily at lower limits. Don’t mistake a short term winning streak for guaranteed future success or skill. Even the worst player at the table will have nights where they can’t lose, so don’t read too much into short term success. If you’re a consistent winner over months and months of play, then you can consider playing higher limits.
Enjoy the winning streaks when they come. Pretty simple advice, I know, but make sure you have fun and enjoy yourself when you’re on a roll. And be sure to remember how it feels, as those memories will help when you go through losing streaks.
When You’re Losing: Relax. It may seem like the end of the world but it isn’t. Everyone goes through losing streaks when it seems like you’ll never win another hand. Your goal is to continue to play the best you can, each and every hand, and not let the losses get to you.
Don’t try to get back all your losses in one day. Just stick to your normal game plan and play good poker. Lots of players make the mistake of moving up to higher limits when losing, in an attempt to quickly get back all of the money they’ve lost. This can be disastrous, as you’re often not playing your best anyway, so playing for more money only digs a deeper hole.
If things are going badly for you, take a break. Don’t be stubborn and continue to play, trying to get your money back. Talk a walk and stretch your legs. If things are going really badly, just pack it up and quit for the day. Poker isn’t going anywhere and will always be there waiting for you, when you’ve cleared your head and are playing your best poker.
