Search the internet and you’ll find endless articles about what to do when you’re running bad in poker, but what about the opposite? What about when you’re on one of those rare heaters where the stars are aligned and everything seems to be going right?
It might not happen often, but when it does, we’d be wise to squeeze as much value out of it as possible. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 3 (highly unscientific) adjustments we can make when experiencing a poker ‘sunrun.’
Get More Volume
Listen to any long-term poker professional and you’ll inevitably hear stories of 24, 48, and even 72-hour sessions. Sometimes it’s because the game is so juicy you can’t will yourself away from the table, and other times it’s because you’re running so hot you never want it to end. But whether it’s playing consecutive hours or a few extra sessions throughout the week, the point is that when things are going well, you want to push the action and give good fortune as much opportunity to manifest itself as you possibly can.
So, as long as you can maintain a disciplined approach and avoid crossing the point of diminishing returns, push yourself to get in those extra hours at the table and squeeze that heater for all it’s worth.
Play A Little Wider
This one is a bit of a hot take and obviously not rooted in any actual science, and I wouldn’t fault you necessarily for arguing the opposite – that we should maintain strict discipline regardless of results – but in my experience, a heater is as good a time as any to test the edges of your ranges, slightly. You don’t want to overdo it and start punting your heater away, but there may be room to make subtle changes to your game – opening slightly wider from the cutoff or setmining an extra hand or two, for example.
This philosophy is akin to an NBA ‘heat check’ where after making a few shots in a row, a player will take one or two tougher (lower equity) shots to see how hot the heater really is. In those moments, players like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard talk about the hoop starting to look impossibly big, making shots appear hard to miss. That’s what we’re after here as well, not launching full court heaves, but taking a shot from a step or two further back, or letting one rip against a double-team, trusting whatever magic is at work to take hold.
Of course, this is entirely dependent on the strength of your self control. Will you be able to handle a situation in which you widen your ranges slightly and instantly get ‘punished’ for it in the form of a cooler or bad beat? Or will that send you into a spiral that will have you punting off the remainder of your run-good? Whether you choose to test your luck with a heat check, or prefer to stay in your lane, the key is to know yourself and what you can handle, and stay disciplined in whatever way works best for you.
Study Even More
Oftentimes during downswings, we feel too tilted or agitated to study. At the very least, when we’re in the midst of a downswing our studying will likely be different in some subtle ways we may not even be able to perceive than when we’re running hot. So, if nothing else, putting the work in off the tables during an upswing will give you a perspective that’s far less common and no doubt at least equally valuable.
So, although the instinct when running good is to assume you’ve cracked the code and are on an unstoppable one-way track to the highest of stakes, it’s important to keep yourself grounded and put the lightness of your spirit to good use by continuing to work on your game.
As you ride the wave of your next poker heater, keep in mind that balance is key. You can take small shots at expanding the edges of your game while the cards are falling your way if it feels comfortable doing so, but just remember to do it in a disciplined way that ensures you maximize the rungood without tipping over into carelessness.
Good luck!
Will Watson is a writer, amateur poker player and enthusiastic student of the human mind.
Contact me at: willwatsonpoker@gmail.com