Newbie What is "running bad" in poker?

Welcome to Poker Community Forums!

Welcome to PCF, the online poker forums. Grind your way to the top of the leaderboards on StockPoker, and sharpen your strategy alongside the community. Earn badges by finishing in the top 3 on the PCF/StockPoker leaderboard, and Shark Tank leaderboard. Visit the leaderboard pages to learn how to qualify for the monthly leaderboard freerolls.

Join PCF! Login

freelancermaria

Well-known member
PCF Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2025
Messages
49
Reaction score
1
“Running bad” describes an annoying and frequently drawn-out spell of misfortune in which a player finds themselves repeatedly on the losing end despite making sound strategic decisions at the poker table. It’s a reality that even the most skilled and seasoned poker players must face at times. During these challenging stretches, the vital elements for weathering the storm are strong bankroll management and an unwavering belief in one’s tactic. Cultivating resilience and discipline during these periods can make all the difference in a player’s long-term success in the game.
 
Running bad can really be disappointing, but it is part of variance in poker. The key is not allowing it to affect your decision making.
 
Running bad can really be disappointing, but it is part of variance in poker. The key is not allowing it to affect your decision making.

Well, I will have to stop playing at that moment when I am doing the right things in poker and still end up losing. It could be frustrating and can end up affecting my longterm efforts.
 
I have come to learn the hard way that running bad is part of the very big picture in poker. I have seen very excellent poker players play perfectly and variance still crushes them continuously. There are stretches of weeks that variance crushes me too. I always review my game and see I didn't play wrong. I just learn to control my emotions at this period now knowing that it is part of poker.
 
Running bad" basically means you're getting unlucky with the cards you're dealt and the results you're getting, even when you're playing well strategically. Like,you've got good hands but they keep losing to better ones or the river card always seems to hurt you.
 
I think running bad is very common among Poker players. Despite being a good player, and having strong hands lose the game. This is generally a variance, and not a bad play.
 
Join Poker Community (PCF) on Discord! lbrew1 streams StockPoker on Twitch!

Trending content

Members online

No members online now.
PCF Bankroll Starter $25 Freebuy on Stock Poker
Back
Top