Stop playing when you are up
 

This has been happening to me for a long time.
Poker is a long term game, which means that if you are winning player, more you play (assuming u play good) = more money.

However, I find myself "afraid to lose it back" and I stop playing after being up 3 buy-ins or so.

Just now, I'm up 4 buy-ins in 1 hour and I feel like I need to stop right now and finish the day +$$.

How can I change this mindset?

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

I agree with those that say that this isn't a good general strategy. However,when you are learning and building your roll and your confidence, i agree with it.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

I have the same problem. This sucks because you can't put in a lot of hands this way. Whenever I'm up about 2 buy-ins I quit the day ahead.
The only way I can play a long session is when I get stuck some buy-ins in the beginning and trying to get even.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

poker is one big session, individual sessions are arbitrary and have little meaning. Keep this mindset and you should be fine.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

play for certain amounts of time. stick to your schedule. problem solved.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

what if the game is really profitable? Leaving it would be a bad decision.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

[ QUOTE ]
what if the game is really profitable? Leaving it would be a bad decision.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well to be honest that applies more to live than online in my opinion. Online a table can change in 5 minutes so in alot of cases i don't think much will be missed by leaving on time.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

so when it changes, leave. It might not. Leaving a game for anything other then being emotionally attached to it (i.e. chasing losses) or lack of a good edge; whether that's because you're tired or your opponents are too good, or you might gave a bad image etc. is never a good reason. O.k. so leaving because you have other plans is a valid reason too, but you get my main point.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

Yeah sure.

Re: Stop playing when you are up
 

The stock market is one long session too. I remember a 90 y/o guy still trading on Wall St. Week ten years ago.

However, in the market we take profits periodically...

What's wrong with ending sessions with a profit after putting in a certain amount of time? There will be a bell curve in each session and if you overstay, you will give back profits.