Dealing With Downswings: What Actually Works

Every poker player hits downswings. It’s not if, it’s when — and how you respond.

The mistake most players make? They change the wrong things, or worse, change nothing at all.

Let’s cut the fluff and talk about what actually helps when the graph heads south.

🎯 Step 1: Audit your decisions, not just your results

Most players spiral because they focus on bad outcomes. But variance is part of the game.

Ask yourself:

• Am I still playing my A-game?
• Are there leaks showing up in my hand history reviews?
• Am I tilted without realizing it?
• Track performance, not just results.

🧠 Step 2: Zoom out your mental lens

When you’re losing, it feels like you’ve forgotten how to win.

Truth is, variance works both ways. What feels like a massive downswing is often just normal distribution over a big sample.

Remind yourself: If your process is solid, the results catch up.

🤝 Step 3: Surround yourself with the right people

Downswings are brutal when you’re alone. It’s easy to overthink, tilt, or isolate.

Having coaches, teammates, and peers to talk through hands with can literally save your bankroll and your mental game.

At Team 651, our players say the community is the #1 reason they’re able to bounce back stronger.

🛠️ Step 4: Keep showing up (with structure)

Taking breaks is fine — but avoiding the game won’t solve the problem. Downswings are where growth happens.

• What you need is a system.
• A routine.
• Clear goals and support.

That’s what we built Team 651 for.