Quick facts by PokerStrategy
- The term run in poker refers to short term outcomes impacting results.
- It’s possible to run good or bad in poker.
- How you run in poker is down to statistical variance.
- There can be psychological impacts to running good or bad in poker.
What Is a Run in Poker?
Run in poker is the streak of luck a player is on, or technically speaking, the statistical variance they are experiencing. A player can be on either a good run or a bad run, depending on the results at the table.
The word run is usually used to describe a short-term period of luck. For example, a player might describe themselves as running well during a tournament or running bad for the last few hands before the break.
Over time, runs can evolve into long-term upswings or downswings in which results fluctuate dramatically from the expected win rate.
There are a couple of alternative meanings to “run” in poker:
- Running the cards out on the board, as in running it once or twice in a cash game.
- Another word for a straight, a poker hand consisting of five sequential cards.
The Origins of the Term Run in Poker
The term run in poker was likely used from around the mid-20th century as a way for players to discuss outcomes over multiple hands or longer spells at the table. The poker phrases “running good” and “running bad” are now commonly used in the poker world to describe temporary, financial, and emotional fluctuations in the game.
Good Runs vs Bad Runs in Poker
There’s a big difference between running good and running bad in poker:
- A good run in poker means that you are winning pots and everything is going your way. A good run can refer to a single game or the results you achieve over a longer period of time.
- A bad run in poker means that you are losing more than you would expect, either by being card dead, losing pots even when you are ahead, or experiencing disproportionate losses over a longer period of time.
For players who enjoy testing their skills in real-money environments, real money poker sites offer the most direct way to experience both heaters and cold streaks.
Variance & Poker Runs
The poker terms “running good” and “running bad” are often used loosely among players to describe short-term outcomes. In a technical sense, though, how you are running refers to statistical variance in results.
In the short term, results can deviate wildly from your expected value and win rate. You can’t control these short-term outcomes, so you will inevitably go on heaters and bad runs in poker.
What you can control is your win rate. With enough volume, your results will start to align more closely with your true win rate.
Run in Cash Games vs Tournaments
The concept of running good or running bad in poker applies to both cash games and tournaments, but variance looks different in each format. Cash games usually have lower variance, so swings are smaller and easier to manage. Tournaments involve higher variance, greater risks, and larger rewards, which makes the swings more dramatic.
Examples of Good and Bad Runs
Here are examples to illustrate the concept of running good and bad in poker.
Running Good in a Tournament
You are in an MTT and have accumulated a huge stack as a result of both skill and chance. At one point, your chips were in the middle as a massive underdog, but you still won the pot and doubled up. Since then, you have continued to gain chips. You are on a heater in the tournament.
Bad Run in a Cash Game
You have been playing a low-stakes cash game and usually have an ROI of around 10 percent, which translates to a win rate of 10BB/100. However, after playing for several hours, you are down by over 20BBs. You have experienced all kinds of problems, from constantly missing the flop to losing against monster hands. You are running bad in the cash game.
Cold Run into Downswing
You usually grind SNGs with an ROI of around 20 percent. However, over the course of the last few sessions, you have failed to cash in a single game. You are down by dozens of buy-ins. You are running so bad that you are now on a long-term downswing.
Psychological Effects of Poker Runs
Running good or bad in poker can have immense psychological effects on players, especially if you are inexperienced and not used to facing bad beats or dealing with insane swings.
To effectively deal with the mental aspects of variance, it’s important that you remain disciplined, stay in control of your emotions, and have the bankroll to support you when you’re running bad.
Stay Objective During a Bad or Good Run
Running bad is emotionally challenging. It’s frustrating to continually lose chips or money in situations when you are ahead, or to lose multiple tournaments in a row. Still, you have to remain objective and trust the process of variance. If you are truly a winning player, long-term results will eventually shine through over short-term bad runs.
Running good can be just as tricky. Feeling invincible and playing recklessly can hurt your win rate and cut your upswing short. Don’t get too overconfident. Just carry on playing your A-game.
In both cases, reviewing your sessions helps you stay objective. This allows you to look at hands from an outside perspective and analyze tough spots to see if you are still on track.
Tips for Managing Tilt When Running Bad
Running bad in poker can cause you to go on tilt, an emotional state that impacts the quality of your decisions. A bad run can soon turn into poor play if you let tilt take over.
As you gain experience, you’ll have greater control of your emotions. Still, you should always be actively taking steps to prevent tilt and minimize its impact on your decisions. Be prepared to take a break if needed to calm down before returning to the tables.
Bankroll Management During Downswings
One of the key aspects of managing bad runs and downswings is bankroll management. If you are playing stakes that are well within your bankroll limit, so that you can afford hundreds of games, the outcome of each individual hand or game won’t feel like the end of the world.
Your bankroll provides a psychological and financial cushion against downswings, allowing you to continue focusing on making the best decisions possible and improving your win rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a bad run last in poker?
There is no cutoff point for how long a bad run can last in poker. However, the more volume you put in, the more likely it is that your results reflect something close to your true win rate. Skill prevails in the long term.
What is a heater in poker?
A heater in poker is a rapid winning streak that may come as a sudden boost of chips in a tournament, a bunch of significant hands that go your way in a cash game, or a longer spell of profitable results.
How should I manage my bankroll during a downswing?
Bankroll management is important when it comes to cushioning yourself against downswings. By playing stakes that are low relative to your overall bankroll, you’ll be able to afford to lose buy-ins and play through any bad runs in poker.
Do professional players also experience runs of bad luck?
Even professional players experience runs of bad luck. It happens to everyone, regardless of skill level. However, professional players have a greater edge over the field and are able to put in enough volume to eventually smooth out the results. Although pros still experience bad runs in poker, they are less impacted by them.