so pissed im totally unmotivated now

Read articles and watch videos @ pokerstrategy, you need to study the game more than you play it, swings are part of poker, you need to learn how to deal with them. Bigger the stakes you play, bigger the swings.

The first time I hit a downswing I was so tilted, and didn't realize how much money I was losing through spewy tilt play as well.

Once you realize that this sort of thing is normal and that it happens the other way too it gets a lot easier to just play through it and remember that it's only poker, it's just a card game. Even if they win, just laugh to yourself when someone calls 3bets with J3s, as these jokers are the very core of why it is possible to make money in poker. Probability dictates that these guys have to win sometimes, and this is what keeps them depositing, its a good thing. Don't think of it as a bad beat, think of it as securing your future in poker.

Originally posted by metza
The first time I hit a downswing I was so tilted, and didn't realize how much money I was losing through spewy tilt play as well.

Once you realize that this sort of thing is normal and that it happens the other way too it gets a lot easier to just play through it and remember that it's only poker, it's just a card game. Even if they win, just laugh to yourself when someone calls 3bets with J3s, as these jokers are the very core of why it is possible to make money in poker. Probability dictates that these guys have to win sometimes, and this is what keeps them depositing, its a good thing. Don't think of it as a bad beat, think of it as securing your future in poker.

Very sound advice, this is exactly what I tell myself when I get called by a Donk who then goes on to win.

Don't worry man, it's really standard. 7,7$ is not even 4 buy-ins. You will experience these swings on a regular basis in your poker career. The more it has happened, the better you will be able to deal with them. If you don't feel like playing anyumore, then just don't. Nobody is forcing you!

I don't think you really need 50BI, obviously also depends if you're willing to deposit again if you go broke.

25 to 30 buy ins should be fine if you're playing TAG,

"Standard", Agreed

These things occur in poker you have to focus on the long term and not the short term, short term focus on the right choices, Your aces sorry to say it happens. Remember if you made the right decision you just have to move on.

Coolers suck but it happens take a day off and then play again when you want to play remember the number one rule. Poker is a game have fun, think like Isildur1 a bit more!! Play for fun, play to crush!! You can't win them all!

Goodluck at the tables!

I feel for you, buddy. I know where you are coming from. And as an Everest player myself I am more than aware of the above scenario you have just explained. Everest is, without doubt, a veritable fish tank. After all, Jack three suited is a much stronger hand than pocket Aces! ♦ I am not kidding, that is what the fish at Everest thinks.

I go through similar emotions as you do. If I lose to donkeys all-day long, I too can get really annoyed and very upset. It is one of my main issues that needs addressing. A good idea is to have a stop-loss plan put in place, and should you lose so many buy-ins during a session, to call it quits for a day or so, until your head clears.

If I have a bad day, I go and play freerolls until that tilt feeling has gone away. By playing freerolls, you can only tilt play chips away!

You say you have only been playing for one month? That is such a short period of time. So don't be hard on yourself. As people here have recommended, study, study, and then play some.

I think buying in for 50BBs is a good idea if you have the tendency to stack-off with top pair and top kicker on the flop. In fact, I often buy in for the same amount because I have the tendency to stack-off with Ace King if I hit top pair on the flop. You could buy-in for 50BBs until you gain more confidence, and experience, at reading the board, and player tells.

Ye it sucks in the beggining, my suggestion is to post the AA hand for review.

If you become unmotivated and ready to simply "give up" because you lost 4 buyins then you need to realize this game isn't going to change.

Being upset is great, but get pissed off at the way you've just reacted. Your reaction is the only part of this situation that YOU can actually change.

Statements like "I lost therefore I might quit" will see you right out the door in a game like poker. Losing isn't failure.

yeah, mindset should be "i'm pissed because i'm approaching the game incorrectly."

If you really don't want to put effort into learning the game, just quit, right now.

If you are serious, then you first need to learn the fundamentals. There are plenty of resources out there for it, in ebook format, or the strategy section here, or videos etc.

I posted verneer's ebook (moving up through uNL 2010) in the beginner section almost a year ago. Its a great read and has everything you need to know to get up to 25NL at least.

I'm not saying "quit because you don't want to learn". After a month of playing its much to early to know for sure. Rather, find out if you want to learn or if you enjoy learning the game and feel free to take your time.

OP has some stones for actually posting openly about getting pissed off about losing, and to me he's asking "what should I change".

If we react poorly to losing, and losing is inevitable in gambling games then the only thing we can change about losing is ourselves.

thanks guys for all your posts.

Yea I'm sure I won't quit, especially since it has only been one month. I just had that kind of feeling earlier because I felt it was a very bad run in such a short time. I'm not the type who quits easily. I do take breaks when I feel very bad but usually I come back because I miss the good times. I posted here partly to find out how you guys deal with such unpredictable downswings, because this is the first time I've tried something so unpredictable at times. I really admire you guys who have gone through so much to get to where you are now.

I think I have to rework my strategy for NL2. Tighten up abit more maybe I was playing too loosely thinking I have the fishes beat most of the time

As Ivey Says "Let the game (Fish) come to you"

People before me have send it all, im just gunna leave you with some advice i once heard thats always stayed with me. If you stick with poker for the long term and in the distant future are playing NL50, or higher, $7.70 will seem like nothing to you and you ll look back and laugh that yu got annoyed.

Alex

Will move up to Learning to Win