riding out the storm

[BDPoolie 0]

This question is total objective, but I just wanted to get some opinions on what other people do in this situation.I've been playing online for a few years now, but just in the last few months have been tracking my play. I don't use pokertracker. I do it manually using an Excel spreadsheet. I calculate win/lose and how long I play each session to give me a per/hour rate.Anyway...The last 2 months have been winning months. This month started out great and is still on the plus side so far, but my last few sessions have been losing. Usually my losing sessions, I lose less than may win on a winning session, so that's not so bad.But my last 4 or 5 sessions have been awful. I'm still playing good poker. I'm betting, raising and laying down when I should, but I'm just running cold. I am only hitting about 1 out of every 15 draws. When I have a pocket pair (which I have been getting a good bit of), I can't hit a set. Basically, just running COLD.My question is this:After some of you have had 4 or 5 losing sessions in a row, do you take a break for a few days or more, or do you just keep pushing until the cold spell is over? (WOW! That took forever to get to the question, didn't it?...LOL)

[BeanGW 0]

It depends. If you have been playing for a few years, as you say, you should be used to variance, and not let it affect your play. If this is true, then play lots of hands, and work your way through the variance.If you aren't used to variance, and it may affect your play, then take some time off.You may also want to post some hands here. Maybe you've got a leak that you don't know about.Peace

[BDPoolie 0]

Well, before I started tracking it, I wasn't that concerned about it. I knew I won some and I lost some. I have only deposited money twice ever, so it wasn't like I was losing, depositing, losing, depositing.But, it's just been since I started tracking my win/loss rate that it bothers me a little.1 losing session, no problem.2 losing sessions, getting miffed.3 losing sessions, maybe I should take a break because it may be affecting my play somewhat. Like I said, I'm still playing the way I've always played when I was winning, as far as starting out. Preflop I usually only play premium hands. If I have a draw, I'll either bet at it, or if i'm 2nd to act, I'll call it if the pot odds dictate that I call. I hardly, if ever, call a draw without the pot odds being there.But, maybe since I've been losing lately, I am playing a little more scared. Sometimes (mostly if I'm in the blind and have 2 random cards), I'll catch 2nd or 3rd pair and just fold to one bet. It's just that I've been so cold lately, I'm afraid to call.So, yeah, maybe I do just need to take a break for a few days and let my psyche cool off.Thanks for your input BeanGW. Apparently, no one else has an opinion on this issue.

[Whatever 1]

It's a good topic to do a search on as well.I've read that you might want to book your next winning session and then quit for the day just to stop the streak - no matter how small the win is.

[BDPoolie 0]

I like that as well....Thanks.