Everyone hits a losing streak, no matter how much better they are than their average opponent. That is the nature of poker--it has a randomness factor that will only average out after thousands of hands. Winning players are winning over the long-term, there is no short-term guarantee!

The first order of business in any losing streak is to determine whether it is a short-term luck fluctuation or a long-term journey into the toilet. There is no way to know this based upon your short-term results!

Ask yourself these three fundamental questions:

1. Over the long-term, have you won at this stakes and this location?

If the answer is "No" then you should return to the stakes and place where you have turned a long-term profit. It is possible the new location or stakes has a tougher game than you are used to. If you really wish to play in the new game, return when you are on a win streak.

2. Are the players playing any better or worse than they normally do?

If the answer is "that your opponents are playing better"...then you should seek out an easier game. Table selection is accounts for a large portion of anyone's winnings. Find another place to play!

3. Have you changed the way you are playing?

If the answer to 3. is "Yes", then you have to figure out how your game has changed and whether the changes are really for the best. Work hard on your game...which you should do in any case.

Some general tips

1) Change you playing location. Online, play at a completely new site. The change in context makes you pay attention and can have effects on your decision making (there is a lot of scientific research on this point).

2) Examine your game. Break it down, analyze every decision...become a better player. Losing streaks are a great motivator!

3) Don't get frustrated. Frustration causes tilt. Leave the game as soon as you feel the frutration, take some time off and then return. If it gets really bad, leave poker until you really miss playing.

4) Don't be too proud to step down a level or two in the stakes you play.

And always remember poker should be fun, if its not fun stop playing for a few weeks.