{"id":2531573,"date":"2024-06-04T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/?p=2531573"},"modified":"2026-04-21T20:52:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:52:11","slug":"poker-downswings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/poker-downswings\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Survive a Poker Downswing Without Going Broke"},"content":{"rendered":"<a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/tournament-masterclass\" class=\"adv-link\" aria-label=\"tournament masterclass unlock\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tournament-masterclass-unlock.png\" alt=\"tournament masterclass unlock\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tournament-masterclass-unlock.png 1176w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tournament-masterclass-unlock-746x143.png 746w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tournament-masterclass-unlock-1024x197.png 1024w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tournament-masterclass-unlock-768x148.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1176px) 100vw, 1176px\" width=\"1176\" height=\"226\"   \/><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>A poker downswing is a prolonged period of losing results that stems from variance rather than poor play. Most players experience multiple significant downswings each year regardless of their skill level, and some lasting hundreds of buy-ins are mathematically normal, especially in tournament formats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have coached players who were genuinely excellent at poker but nearly quit the game because of a downswing they did not recognize as normal variance. The difference between players who survive downswings and players who do not is almost never skill. It is preparation, bankroll management, and the ability to separate variance from a real leak in your game.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-2d519876 uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-false uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-36a03f76 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>TLDR:<\/strong>\u00a0See AI summary of this article.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Experiencing downswings is an inevitable part of a poker player&#8217;s journey. Understanding and preparing for these challenging periods can help maintain both your bankroll and mental well-being.<br><br><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><br>* <strong>Recognize the Inevitable:<\/strong> Downswings are prolonged periods of losses due to the inherent variance in poker. Acknowledging their inevitability prepares you mentally for the highs and lows of the game. <br>* <strong>Identify True Downswings:<\/strong> Not all losing sessions constitute a downswing. It&#8217;s essential to differentiate between normal variance and significant downswings to respond appropriately.<br>* <strong>Plan Ahead:<\/strong> Establish a solid bankroll management strategy to cushion against potential downswings. This includes setting aside funds exclusively for poker and avoiding using them for personal expenses. <br>* <strong>Adjust Your Play:<\/strong> During downswings, consider playing at lower stakes to reduce financial pressure and regain confidence. This approach allows you to continue honing your skills without significant risk.<br>* <strong>Incorporate Study Time:<\/strong> Use downturns as opportunities to study and review your gameplay. Analyzing hand histories and learning from mistakes can lead to long-term improvement.<br>* <strong>Maintain Emotional Control:<\/strong> Avoid letting emotions dictate your decisions. Staying disciplined and focused helps prevent tilt and further losses.<br><br>By proactively preparing for downswings and implementing these strategies, you can navigate challenging periods more effectively and emerge as a stronger, more resilient player.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1  uagb-block-31267c96      \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTable Of Contents\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#what-is-a-downswing-in-poker\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">What Is a Downswing in Poker?<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#identifying-a-poker-downswing\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Identifying a Poker Downswing<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#planning-for-downswings\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Planning for Downswings<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#dealing-with-downswings\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Dealing with Downswings<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#is-it-a-downswing-or-a-leak-in-your-game\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Is It a Downswing or a Leak in Your Game?<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#how-long-does-a-poker-downswing-last\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">How Long Does a Poker Downswing Last?<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#steps-to-take-during-a-downswing\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Steps to Take During a Downswing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#the-mental-edge-turning-downswings-into-competitive-advantages\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">The Mental Edge: Turning Downswings Into Competitive Advantages<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#final-words-on-poker-downswings\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Final Words on Poker Downswings<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions-about-poker-downswings\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Frequently Asked Questions About Poker Downswings<\/a><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Downswing in Poker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"896\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Down-Chart-1.jpeg\" alt=\"What Is a Downswing in Poker?\" class=\"wp-image-2531606\" style=\"width:696px;height:440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Down-Chart-1.jpeg 896w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Down-Chart-1-665x420.jpeg 665w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Down-Chart-1-768x485.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 896px) 100vw, 896px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Poker players use the word downswing to describe different things, but generally speaking, the term refers to a prolonged period of losing money at the poker tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exact amount of money lost and the duration of a poker downswing can differ wildly from one case to another. The thing they all have in common is that they have the potential to ruin even the best of players mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you start playing poker with any degree of seriousness, you need to understand you will experience some downswings, so the most important thing is to be able to identify them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my experience reviewing thousands of hands with students, the most common mistake I see is players treating a short losing session as evidence that something is wrong with their game. Two losing sessions in a row is not a downswing. It is noise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A genuine downswing is a statistically meaningful departure from your expected win rate sustained over a significant volume of hands, and the threshold for &#8220;significant&#8221; varies considerably depending on the game type you play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s start by identifying what a poker downswing might look like in different game formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identifying a Poker Downswing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many players I have personally encountered over the years start moaning about a downswing as soon as they have two consecutive losing sessions, but that\u2019s not the definition of a downswing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the game format you play, losing sessions in poker are inevitable. The more <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/volume-cures-variance-are-you-playing-enough-poker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Volume Cures Variance: Are You Playing Enough Poker?\">variance-heavy<\/a> your format is, the more likely you are to encounter them. Thus, you should only be worried about a downswing when you experience a prolonged set of losing sessions in a relatively short period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, if you play live cash games as a big favorite, you can expect to win quite often. Losing five or six times in a row can be considered a downswing in such a game, while losing 20 buyins over a couple of weeks of play is also definitely a downswing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, losing 20 buyins in big field online tournaments is routine, and you should not pay any attention to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this exact reason, professional poker players make sure to identify the game type they are playing and the likelihood of encountering certain downswings before they start playing. This helps them plan out their <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/the-bankroll-bible\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"The Bankroll Bible\">bankroll management<\/a> ahead of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But how can you plan for downswings and know what\u2019s possible and likely? Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Planning for Downswings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bankroll management is one of the most important yet most underestimated skills that a professional poker player must master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even many players whose overall skillset is quite solid encounter problems with bankroll management because they underestimate the likelihood of downswings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using a simple poker variance calculator, it is possible to calculate the likelihood of running into a downswing of a certain magnitude using the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Average buyin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Number of games played<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Win rate\/ROI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average field size (in tournaments)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you enter all this information into a variance calculator, the calculator will tell you how likely you are to lose a bankroll of a certain size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hardest part of entering this information is calculating the correct win rate or ROI you have in the games you plan to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you don\u2019t have enough information from previous games, aim for a low number and try to create a bankroll that will not get demolished, even if you are only winning at a low win rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I talk to students about bankroll planning, I give them these minimum guidelines as a starting point: for live cash games, 20 buy-ins is the floor; for online cash games, aim for 30 buy-ins; for multi-table tournaments, budget for 100 buy-ins at minimum, and 200 if you are playing larger fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your bankroll sits below these numbers, your risk of ruin during a normal downswing climbs dramatically, regardless of how good you are. A player with 10 buy-ins for their stake is one bad week from being broke, even if they are a long-term winner at that level. Planning for downswings means having the bankroll before the downswing arrives, not scrambling to rebuild during one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to model specific downswing scenarios for your game type and win rate, PokerCoaching&#8217;s own solver, <a href=\"http:\/\/peakgto.com\" title=\"\">PeakGTO<\/a>, is the recommended study tool for players working on their game at this site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you play a certain number of games and see that you are crushing the games at a significantly higher rate, you may be able to update those numbers or move up the stakes rather quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dealing with Downswings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have used the variance calculator properly and done all the necessary preparation, you will have the bankroll to sustain even some nasty downswings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"921\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Variance-simulation-graph.jpg\" alt=\"Dealing with Downswings\" class=\"wp-image-2531597\" style=\"width:691px;height:349px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Variance-simulation-graph.jpg 921w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Variance-simulation-graph-746x377.jpg 746w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Variance-simulation-graph-768x388.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 921px) 100vw, 921px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet, even if you have the appropriate bankroll, encountering a downswing in real life will not be a pleasant feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many times, poker players allow downswings to completely ruin their <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/master-your-poker-mindset-embrace-strategy-over-emotion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Master your Poker Mindset: Embrace Strategy Over Emotion\">motivation and their self-confidence<\/a>, making them question every decision they make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this is not the right approach to take. If you know downswings are coming sooner or later, encountering them should become routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The way to tackle a downswing is head-on! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I find in reviewing student sessions is that tilt during downswings rarely looks like obvious rage. The subtle forms are the dangerous ones: making bad river calls when you know you are beaten because you feel like you are owed a win; playing passively and checking back hands that should be bet because you expect bad things to happen; or over-aggressing against a specific opponent because you are annoyed at how many pots they have won against you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice any of these three patterns in your session, that is your signal to take a break, not to play through it. The cost of one more hour of tilted poker almost always exceeds the value of whatever you might recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep playing your game without hesitation, and don\u2019t deviate from the decisions you would normally make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of how many times in a row you shove into the nuts, keep doing it if your study sessions have shown it to be a profitable play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, every play in poker will go wrong sometimes, and you will lose many pots in any given session, holding both bluffs and second-best value hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of quitting the game or throwing your bankroll away at the blackjack tables, focus on playing good poker, and the results will balance out over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is It a Downswing or a Leak in Your Game?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the hardest questions to answer during a losing stretch is whether you are running bad or playing bad. In my experience, most players instinctively blame variance because it is the more comfortable explanation. But assuming variance when the real problem is a leak in your game is expensive. It keeps you losing at a rate you could be fixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is how I approach this distinction with students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to look at is whether your losses are concentrated in specific spots. If you are losing roughly evenly across many different situations, that points toward variance. If your losses are clustering around a particular scenario (say, three-bet pots as the caller, or spots where you are out of position against aggressive players), that clustering is a signal worth investigating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second check is to run a session review during the downswing, not after it. Look at the hands where you lost the most chips. Ask: Was the money going in as a significant underdog, or were you ahead and got unlucky? If the majority of your big pots went in with the worst of it, that is not a downswing. That is a strategy problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The third check is to compare your current results to a sample from six months ago playing in the same games. If your win rate has dropped significantly, that is worth taking seriously. If your win rate looks similar but the short-term variance is negative, that is a downswing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing which situation you are in changes what you should do next. A downswing calls for patience and continued play at the appropriate stakes. A leak calls for study, not more hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Poker-Downswing-1024x570.png\" alt=\"poker downswing\" class=\"wp-image-2547541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Poker-Downswing-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Poker-Downswing-746x415.png 746w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Poker-Downswing-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Poker-Downswing.png 1105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Long Does a Poker Downswing Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of the most common questions players ask in regard to poker downswings, but it is one that can\u2019t really be answered easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have seen students lose 30 buy-ins over the course of two months in soft live cash games and eventually recover fully. I have also seen tournament players lose over 200 buy-ins across six months before their results normalized. Both situations were within the mathematically expected range for their format and win rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The honest answer to &#8220;how long will this last?&#8221; is that the math does not care about your timeline. The downswing ends when the cards run differently, and the only variable you control is the quality of your decisions while you are waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, in soft live cash games where you are a big winner, the downswing won\u2019t last too many hands. However, you will only be playing some 30 hands per hour, which can still make a downswing last quite a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, in higher-stakes online tournaments, where the edges are much closer, even the best players run into long downswings and lose money over hundreds or even a thousand games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should not focus too much on when a downswing will end or even worry about it starting in the first place. Instead, focus on making the right plays, and all the upswings and downswings will even out at the end of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steps to Take During a Downswing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While encountering a downswing can be just a part of the routine for the most experienced poker players out there, for many of us, downswing can be mentally exhausting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find yourself in the midst of a downswing and can\u2019t quite seem to keep playing your best game, there are steps you can take instead of playing through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I work with students who are deep in a downswing, the first question I ask is: what does your session review process look like? Almost always, the answer is &#8220;I do not have one.&#8221; Players who lack a structured review process struggle most during downswings because they have no feedback loop to tell them whether their decisions are actually good or whether a leak has crept in. Before you add more volume in an attempt to run well, make sure you have a process for evaluating the volume you have already put in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond studying on your own, working with a coach or a poker community during a downswing is something players often overlook. PokerCoaching offers access to coaching and hand review resources specifically designed to help players identify leaks and rebuild confidence during losing stretches. Getting an outside perspective on your game during a downswing is often faster and more effective than trying to diagnose the problem alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Main steps to take during a downswing include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Playing lower stakes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Studying poker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking time off<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/on_a_hike_in.png\" alt=\"Steps to Take During a Downswing\" class=\"wp-image-2531614\" style=\"width:439px;height:439px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/on_a_hike_in.png 1024w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/on_a_hike_in-420x420.png 420w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/on_a_hike_in-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/on_a_hike_in-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the first steps to tackle a downswing, when it gets severe, is to move down in stakes and play in games where your bankroll is much safer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While playing lower stakes will limit your ability to recuperate your losses, it will also allow you to regain your confidence in games that should be softer on average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t feel like playing at all, taking time away from the poker tables is also a good idea. Engage in other fun activities, preferably outdoors, and forget about the game for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you get back to it, sit at your computer and do some studying. <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/how-to-effectively-review-a-hand-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"How to Effectively Review a Hand History\">Review your own sessions<\/a> and look for leaks in your game instead of jumping right back into the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studying poker is a great way to regain perspective, and if you get the right resources, you could also find new ways to win more in future sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only get back to playing when you are mentally in a good place, well-rested, and not thinking about all the ways you lost pots the last time you played the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Mental Edge: Turning Downswings Into Competitive Advantages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a perspective I come back to often when coaching players through difficult stretches: a downswing affects everyone at the table. The player running badly is not the only one being tested by variance. Your opponents are also dealing with bad beats, losing pots they should win, and feeling the same psychological pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference is how each player responds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are the player at the table who maintains discipline, makes sound decisions, and does not chase losses or alter your strategy based on recent outcomes, you are extracting value from everyone else who does. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The player who calls that bad river bet because they are tilted is giving you chips. The player who moves up in stakes to try to recoup losses quickly is playing in a tougher game than their bankroll supports. The player who stops thinking clearly because they are frustrated is making the same mistake you are deliberately avoiding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my experience coaching players at all levels, the ones who grow most quickly are almost always those who develop genuine resilience during downswings, not the players who run hot for six months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ability to stay focused and disciplined when results are running against you is a skill that compounds over time. Every downswing you navigate correctly makes the next one easier to handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Words on Poker Downswings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most important thing to remember when it comes to poker downswings is that they happen to everyone and that no poker player is immune to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have gone through downswings myself at every level I have played, including at the highest stakes. Each time, the thing that helped most was not changing my strategy or moving to a different game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was returning to first principles: am I playing the hand correctly, am I managing my bankroll correctly, and am I studying regularly? If the answer to all three is yes, the results will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you play at the highest stakes at the Las Vegas casinos or micro stakes in your friend\u2019s garage, you will run into a downswing sooner or later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your next downswing comes along, ensure you have the bankroll to sustain it, the tools needed to tackle it, and the willingness to take the appropriate steps to get out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you play poker long enough, downswings will become a part of the routine, and you will get to a place where you no longer pay too much attention to the results of your plays but rather to how you play your hands and counter your opponents\u2019 tendencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About Poker Downswings<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-4d772c4e uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-false uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-3cb99847 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>How many buy-ins is a normal poker downswing?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>A normal downswing in live cash games might be 10 to 20 buy-ins. In online cash games, 30 to 50 buy-ins is within the expected range for a winning player running through a negative variance period. In multi-table tournaments, downswings of 100 to 200 buy-ins are statistically normal for even strong players, given the high variance of the format. Having a bankroll that can absorb these swings before they happen is the foundation of sustainable poker play.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-254bd3da \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Does a poker downswing mean I am playing badly?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Not necessarily. A downswing can be pure variance with no strategic cause, or it can be a combination of variance and a leak in your game. The way to tell the difference is to review your hands objectively: are your big losses coming from spots where you were a clear underdog when the money went in, or are you consistently losing in spots where you should have the best of it? Clustering of losses in specific scenarios points to a strategy issue, not just variance.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-7d6c6aaa \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>How do you stop a poker downswing?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>You cannot force a downswing to end by changing your strategy. What you can control is how you respond: protect your bankroll by playing stakes you can afford, review your sessions to confirm you are making sound decisions, take breaks if you feel tilt affecting your play, and keep studying. The downswing ends when variance normalizes. Your job is to be in good shape financially and mentally when it does.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-a65178cc \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>How long should a poker downswing last?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>There is no fixed answer. The duration depends on your win rate, the game type, and the volume you play. A high win-rate player in a soft live game may exit a downswing in a few weeks. A tournament player with a small edge in competitive fields may experience a losing stretch that lasts several months or longer. The key metric is not time elapsed but hands or tournaments played. High-volume online players cycle through downswings faster because they accumulate volume quickly.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-17b2330e \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Should I move down in stakes during a downswing?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>If the downswing has reduced your bankroll below the recommended minimum for your current stakes (roughly 20 buy-ins for live cash, 30 for online cash, 100 for tournaments), moving down is the right call. Playing stakes your bankroll cannot comfortably support adds financial pressure on top of variance, which compounds the mental difficulty of the downswing. Moving down is not an admission of failure. It is sound bankroll management.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A poker downswing is a prolonged period of losing results that stems from variance rather than poor play. Most players experience multiple significant downswings each year regardless of their skill level, and some lasting hundreds [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":160,"featured_media":2531576,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,877,16,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2531573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cash-games","category-poker-basics","category-poker-strategy","category-tournaments"],"acf":{"peak_live_date":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes.png",1280,720,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes-373x210.png",373,210,true],"medium":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes-746x420.png",746,420,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes-768x432.png",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes-1024x576.png",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes.png",1280,720,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes.png",1280,720,false],"author_image":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PC-Blog_Poker-Downswings-\u2013-How-to-Avoid-Costly-Mistakes-100x100.png",100,100,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Jonathan Little","author_link":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/author\/jonathan_little\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A poker downswing is a prolonged period of losing results that stems from variance rather than poor play. Most players experience multiple significant downswings each year regardless of their skill level, and some lasting hundreds [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/160"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531573"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547543,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531573\/revisions\/2547543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}