5 Essential Tips for Dealing with a Poker Downswing

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Arved Klöhn Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: January 14, 2025

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If you’ve played poker seriously for any amount of time, you’ve probably hit a downswing. And downswings can be downright demoralizing.

If you play the game long enough, though, they are as inevitable as the setting sun. Or getting your aces cracked on the bubble.

What separates great players from good players is their ability to deal with a downswing.

We’ve all been there. The beats start piling up and day after day you’re booking losses. You feel like you’re playing well, but the cards just don’t fall your way.

Poker Downswings Happen to Everyone

If you had a time machine and could change one card in every WSOP, you can guarantee that you could change the outcome of the entire tournament with just that one card.

That should show you how much weight is placed on the falling of cards.

When the cards aren’t going your way, it’s entirely possible to play your best poker and still lose for 20,000 hands, 600 tournaments or even more.

Unfortunately, it’s the nature of the game.

If you’ve experienced a lengthy swing, you can attest to the fact that it makes you question everything you have ever done in poker.

You start to wonder if you ever actually did beat the game. You wonder if the players are all getting better or if the deck is just stacked against you.

In reality, you’re just as likely to be a few good cards away from a heater. 

These are five tips to get you back on the right track:

1) Take Some Time Off

When it gets to the point where you don’t even want to look at poker, don’t. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel after taking a day or two away from the game to relax.

In the midst of a downswing, frustration will often get the best of you. Nobody plays their best when they’re tilting – even a little bit. Some much-needed time away from two-outers and rivered flushes will allow you to clear your mind and come back to the game fresh.

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2) Keep Things in Perspective

You are a winning player. You have done very well at poker to get to this point. That wasn’t all luck.

Downswings happen to everyone. They’re a part of the game.

It may seem like you can’t win now, but in reality nothing has changed – you’re just playing in a game dominated by long-term skill but short-term luck.

In the long run, the good players will always win and the bad players will always lose. You have to take the good with the bad.

If you want to have those 10 buy-in days where you go on sick heaters and steamroll the table, you have to be able to stomach the other side: the prolonged downswing.

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3) Take a Step Down in Stakes

Downswings can be hard on both your morale and your bankroll. A good way to get back on your feet is to move down in stakes.

Playing smaller gives you a chance to play with a lower stress level. With the weight of the money off your shoulders, you can concentrate on beating the softer competition.

When you’re running bad, sometimes all it takes is a few winning sessions to get your confidence back. You can jump back into your regular game whenever you feel you are ready!

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4) Take a Look at Your Game

Although downswings are inevitable, the longer they drag on the more you should take a look at your game.

Everyone thinks they’re better than they really are, and the middle of a downswing is a great time to really take a look at your game and see if you are playing your best poker.

Downswings lead to frustration and frustration leads to tilt; tilt leads to the dark side. And of course by dark side, I mean bad play.

Go over your hand histories with a poker-playing friend. Are you actually getting unlucky or are you putting yourself into too many marginal situations?

You may be surprised at what you find when you get past that “poor me” attitude.

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5) Fooooooooocus

Nothing is going to pull you out of a downswing like good decision making. You just have to play through it.

If you focus on making the best possible decision every single time the action is on you, you’ll be back to your winning ways before you know it.

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Maintaining strong fundamentals is crucial, but advanced players often rely on structured methods to stay afloat when the variance is brutal. Tools like equity calculators and poker solvers help refine your decision trees, reinforcing both pre-flop and post-flop ranges. While consistent results aren’t guaranteed in the short term, using data-driven techniques can significantly reduce your margin of error over large sample sizes.

Developing the discipline to stick to your plan even when the cards fail to cooperate is not easy. You might feel tempted to jump into higher-stakes games after a tough loss, hoping to break even in one shot. However, the best professionals calculate their expected value in every scenario, balancing perceived opportunity with acceptable risk. Doing so prevents compounding your downswings through reckless decisions and keeps you on track to recover methodically.

Leveraging GTO Analysis for Stability

Poker solvers and GTO-based strategies can be an excellent safety net when you find your confidence waning. By studying solver outputs, you validate your pre-flop raising ranges, identify accurate c-bet frequencies, and learn optimal bluffing spots. You don’t need to implement a purely robotic GTO approach every single hand, but aligning your game plan with solver insights can limit costly missteps during a downswing.

Drilling your game away from the table also helps you spot leaks that often surface under pressure. Breaking down specific hands in detail, recalculating equity versus typical calling ranges, and discussing results with fellow professionals are all steps that lead to consistent improvements. Over time, the goal is to combine GTO principles with your own adaptive strategies, so your game remains resilient against variance even during the toughest stretches.

FAQ

What is a downswing?

A downswing is a period in poker when you consistently lose money or tournaments despite playing your usual strategy. It often feels as if the cards are stacked against you, causing frustration and potential self-doubt.

Should I take a break from playing if I’m feeling tilted?

Yes. If you find yourself unable to make clear decisions due to anger or fatigue, it’s better to step away and return with a fresh mindset. Playing through tilt usually compounds the problem and leads to more significant losses.

How do I know if I’m still beating the game during a prolonged losing streak?

Reviewing hand histories and using analytical tools can help you see whether you’re making profitable plays. Compare your decisions to solver-based solutions or talk them through with experienced peers. If your fundamentals remain solid, a negative run is more likely due to variance than flawed strategy.

How do GTO methods help mitigate a downswing?

GTO-based analysis offers baseline solutions for various in-game situations. Even if you don’t follow them to the letter, they help identify leaks or unbalanced plays. By incorporating solver recommendations, you can minimize blunders and maintain a stable approach during tough sessions.

Why is dropping down in stakes effective when I’m losing?

Playing at lower limits relieves pressure on your bankroll and your mindset. It allows you to correct mistakes in a less stressful environment, restore your confidence, and prepare to return to higher stakes once your gameplay is back on track.

What are some advanced techniques to maintain focus when I’m losing consistently?

Many experienced pros rely on structured study plans, solver-based GTO drills, and frequent reviews of specific hands to improve decision-making. Maintaining a disciplined routine and focusing on each decision’s expected value over the long run helps you stay grounded, even when short-term results disappoint.

Is it possible to avoid downswings completely?

No. Variance is an inherent aspect of poker, and even the best players experience downswings. The key is managing them effectively through sound strategy, mental discipline, and a willingness to continually refine your game.

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