This is my first post here, but if it can help my game then I am all for it! For the first eight months this year I was winning consistently in almost every game I played, live or online (though I much prefer live) I typically play Hold-em, no limit is preferred, tourneys or cash, whatever I can get into. Then, about six weeks ago, I had a bad break-up with the girl I had been dating for over a year. In my mind I thought she was the one, then I found out she was a lesbian and had just been dating me as an experiment! (it's okay to laugh, all my friends did) So what does this have to do with my poker? Since then I have tried to get away from my problems at the table, and all I seem to do is lose! I have lost more in six weeks than I won all year. My confidence is gone at the table even though I know I am better than the players I am playing against. It seems like evry time make a great read on someone they suck out on me, and and lose more confidence. Has this ever happened to anyone else? I need to overcome this, because I love poker too much to quit. Any suggestions are welcome.

Don't play until you get over it.

If you must play, until you are over it, assume you will continue to lose and try and minimise your losses somehow (play lower games, limit time, etc).

thx, I feel better already... there's nothing better than divulging ur personal problems to a bunch of strangers who don't care anyways! lol

yeah, you might simply be going through a downswing regardless of outside influences. Those happen to. The chaos away from the table might actually inspire better focus while playing, if you can lose yourself in the cards and not obsess over drama. That said, keep vigilant about this streak. If it continues, definitely consider a break and re-evaluation.

I have been playing online all night, and have cashed in two tourneys, and I just won a freeze out! I definitely feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.... On another note, it looks like I posted this topic in the wrong room! Silly me, sorry Daniel! So, I have a question for Daniel about his most recent blogs... How do the pros win consistently when they primarily play against each other? On top of that, bet tens of thousands of dollars on prop bets? I would think they would try to find easier games.... or is it that the best only feel satisfied when playing against the best? It just seems like even the best players in the world could lose millions of dollars in a bad week... that is certainly a tough way to earn a living!

do you play at royal vegas by any chance? i'm just wondering because you mentioned the term "freezeout." by the way, try not to play as much till ya get over it. And try not to think so negatively when you sit down at the poker table. I know its hard to do sometimes though.

ROFLMFAO

:clap:

i believe daniel wrote an article on this in cardplayer magazine ill find it for you soon but at the moment im as sick as a dog.