Looking for answers

Stress makes for bad poker playing. No doubt about it.

I've learned that the hard way. After my bankroll grew consistently for three or four months, it has absolutely flat-lined over the past six weeks or so. Not surprisingly, I have been going through some life-changing stuff at work for the past six weeks or so. Clearly, my head is not clear.

But I think I have identified two major leaks in my game:

— I don't believe anyone.

When people start betting back at me, I have been looking for any reason possible to doubt them.

You made a big bet? You must be bluffing. Your icon is a clown, a boxer or a ninja dude? You're automatically loose-aggressive bordering on a maniac.

Last night was a good example. I was second in chips with 11 people remaining in an 18-person SNG. The big stack (a ninja, for the record) min-raised in early position. I called his raise with AT offsuit in position. Another guy tagged along for the flop.

Now, I don't remember exactly how it came down, but I ended up going broke after flopping second pair. The board came J-T-x, and I ended up all-in on the turn. Guy turned over T-T for a flopped set.

Two months ago, I wouldn't have lost a chip on this hand. And I was in great shape to cash. But for some reason, I lost my mind. And it's not the first time it's happened lately.

— I'm racing too often.

All too often, I've ended up all-in preflop with a hand like AT vs. a guy with KJ. Of course, people are morons for getting it in with KJ offsuit early in a tournament. But if you get all your chips in in a 55-45 or 60-40 advantage two or three times in a tournament — as I have been doing — you're going to flame out.

I need to mellow out preflop. Be more patient. Take a deep breath.

I will. And I will. And I will. And when I do, I expect that the bankroll will start climbing again.

Current bankroll: $1,260

OPR ranking: 98.09.