Players in Iowa and Arkansas report tough times at the table and ask if LuckyDog has any advice that will help. Let's take a look.

I'm ahead playing tournaments, and I'm winning at $4-$8 limit hold 'em cash games, but for a while now I've consistently lost $3-$6 hold 'em. What can I do to turn that around? — Brett C. in Davenport, Iowa

Brett, you've already taken the first step by paying attention to your results in all games and levels. Players who claim to be ahead of the game but don't really keep track are probably kidding themselves.

Your stretch of poor results at $3-$6 limit hold 'em could just be the normal variance inherent in poker. All players go through dry spells. There could be other factors, though.

Some things to consider:

— You play in the poker rooms' smallest-limit game. Playing comfortable stakes is important, but remember opponents at that level usually are either hard-to-beat veteran players or bad ones who ignore the odds and outdraw you. Even pocket aces are tough to bring home against lots of callers.

— The house rake makes profiting in a $3-$6 game harder than at a $4-$8 table. With all other conditions comparable, the typical $4-per-hand rake has more impact on the smaller game. Pots normally are larger at $4-$8, so it's easier to stay ahead of the rake.

— Low-limit hold 'em is a showdown game. Most hands go to the river, often with four or more players still in. Bluffing is almost impossible — you need the best hand to win a pot. Loose bets, especially on the turn and river with weak draws, will kill your stack.

— Selective aggression can overcome some of the game's showdown nature. Raising pre-flop in early position with playable hands should thin the field by confronting opponents yet to act with a double bet. Also look for spots to check-raise, pushing out opponents who would stay for one bet but not two.

— Since you're a regular at the same three or four card rooms, try to determine if certain opponents are contributing to your negative results.

Or, the culprit could be the game's dynamics — wild and wooly or tight and cautious. Your style of play may suit one type of game better than the other.

So, short of giving up $3-$6 poker, how can you end the streak?

First, be honest. Have the losses affected you? Do you play some hands too cautiously, others too aggressively? Do you make weak calls when you know you'll probably lose? Are regular opponents more confident against you now than before? Are you staying patient and always playing your "A" game?

One more thing. When I hit those dry spells, I like to play hit-and-run poker. I'll buy-in for my usual $100, but with no intention of risking it all. I just play tight until I win a couple pots, get ahead by $30-$50, and then leave. That stops the streak and boosts my confidence heading into the next session.

It could work for you, too!

"I've been taking bad beats online lately — set of kings beaten by a straight, sixes full of jacks rivered by jacks full of aces, jacks full of aces out-rivered by quad aces. Sometimes I wonder if these sites have 'bots' playing for the house! LOL." — Adam M. in Alpena, Ark.

Bots, schmots! We ain't afraid of no robots! LOL!

Seriously, Adam, I know from your other messages that you understand the nature of poker. Sometimes, the best hand with one card to go doesn't win.

What's important is your reaction when it happens. As painful as a bad beat is, the wrong reaction can cost much more than the pot just "stolen" away by a miracle river card. Good players shrug off such defeats and move on, ready to play their best again and hoping not to get unlucky.

The reality is, without luck in poker, top players would always win and weak ones would go broke.

Your attitude after those beats was healthy: "Oh well, I've got two tournaments starting in 15 minutes. Let's go get out-rivered again! Yea! Do I sound like I'm on tilt right now? ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing)."

Hang in there!

E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.

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