The term “upswing” in poker vocabulary describes a period during which a player has been winning often and more than their average win rate suggests.
Another term used to describe an upswing is a heater.
For example, a player on an upswing will win a few tournaments in a short succession or they might finish in top three spots in a couple of big-field events, earning them big paydays.
Just like a downswing, an upswing is a statistical anomaly, but it is a normal part of any serious poker player’s career. Poker players go on numerous upswings and downswings over the years they spend playing the game.