Frustration...

[Invigilator]

I can't pretend that I "understand" your situation b/c I am just not there. However, I strongly agree with Kurn and Drew. If I feel like I am going numb in the slightest bit I play something else at a very low level (Stud, OH, O8, Razz and HORSE). Being exposed to other dimensions of poker does shake things up.

Also, if you can float it, use some of that cash for a trip or other "I always wanted to do that" experience. Why not travel and visit your favourite TP members and try to beat their home games?

[Zybomb]

Final Table 2-3 Events at the Series this year and quit your bitchin

Seriously going from

or

to

is simply unacceptable!

Didn't you used to be a Limit Cash Game player and NL Tournament player? Maybe going back to the limit grind will be a good change of pace -- as well as playing in a few of the Sunday tournies or something to that effect

OR do what I do - get some Live playing in. It's social, entertaining and fun, not to mention filled with donkeys.... and it's a different type of game

[2Tone]

Hmm. Some good advice so far. I don’t know about dropping way down in limits online though. If you have the discipline it could be good for your game, but I for one would get bored, and play too many hands. And running bad at lower limits, while not as costly to the roll, would not be good for the confidence.

Depending on how things are going in your other endeavors, I love the idea of cashing out a good chunk of the roll and using it for a vacation/change of scenery. Find out how Biloxi/N.O are recovering from Katrina, and sample the live game there. Cruise down Sunset Strip/Venice Beach, then go see if the stories of No-Fold-Em Hold Em at the Bike and Commerce are true. Better yet, hit the pot limit games – and museums -- of Amsterdam and Paris. Or hell, come up here to Seattle, and be the best player ever to sit in our local 3/6 limit donkeyfest.

Alternatively, you could just … stop. One of the great things about poker is there’s always another hand being dealt. So if you don’t play a single hand for a month, or a season, or however long it takes til you feel you want to be dealt in and play your best game, that’s fine. It’ll be there waiting for you.

Of course, all of this advise if meant to be followed AFTER your huge cash in a series event.

[drewjax]

anyone feel like nutbarring some .02NL on stars to let some steam off.

must play at least 80% of hands.......its goot for the soul

[Talking Poker]

Thanks everyone. This is a good thread with a lot of good ideas.

[New Guy]

Dude your like a major league pitcher that got injured and needs to be assigned to aaa to rehab his game.No worries.Get some innings in and when your ready to move up youll be ready.Be humble!!!!

[Reel Deal]

I agree w/a lot of what Zy said... for you TP I think:

Tournaments > Cash Games

[bdawg31]

I feel your pain - times about a year. I do remember back when i used to be able to win, that when i had a tough time at the Hold Em grind - i would switch to other games as suggested - usually LO8 or whatever. And i could play those games at lower stakes because since they were new, i still enjoyed them.

I did manage to cash out a fair amount of money before my total melt down. I have mixed feelings about that.

The good - i got my basement refinished, i got to take my wife to australia, kids to bahamas, paid of some bills, and buy a bunch of odds and ends before i pissed it all away (even though i pissed a fair amount away).

The bad - i am basically online broke now. And I wonder if i had just kept my money online and kept grinding if i could have played out of it. But, i think i would need committed if i had lost all of that.

Moving down semi-long-term is tough to do, believe me. That is part of the problem I am having now.

So, some advice coming from someone who won for over 3 years and now cant beat a $25 PLO game or the $4 180 MTTs.

I would suggest a little of all the advice given. Cash some out and treat yourself - if you continue to meltdown - you will at least have that to show for it.

I also like the idea of trying a new game at a low level. Since its a new game, I think you wont mind the lower stakes. And adding a new game to your arsenal is always a good thing.

I like the live-game idea as well. Like Zy said - the game is different, and i believe live is now softer than online play (plus you have had a lot of live success in both tournies and cash). Even as i have been getting my ass handed to me night after night over the last year or so, i have done well playing chump-stakes live on my few AC trips.