Do you keep losers happy?

[Gorby]

I play in a home game a couple of times per week. Its very clear in the game who are the winners, there are 4 of us, that are consistent winners. We have been starting to notice a trend, we have been getting in new players and, basicaly killing them after one sessions. We of course have some players that always come back for the good time, no matter how much they lose. The problem I see is that we have a huge number of players that we have killed and dont ever come back, no matter how often we play or contact them.

Recently we were in a game, in a local establishment. We had friends that ran the place, and said sure, please come down and play. So we get in the game and another guy sits down, which was completely fine. The guy was busted out within a few hands. He went had another drink came back and sit down. I got into a hand with him, I knew I had him beat, and also knew that I could probably bust him. I bet on the flop a normal amount, then the turn came I bet a small amount to keep the pot small, and on the river checked it to him. I did this because the guy said he wasnt rebuying, and also it would have put us down to 3 handed. Now this could have been an empty threat but he was mad he had to buy in twice already, and it was more than he made in a day(which isnt saying much).

I am not sure if this is the route we need to take some nights with these players, instead of busting them, in a short time. I think we may be able to make more money, if we keep them around over the long haul. I think this goes back to that Amarillo Slim saying about shearing a sheep vs slaughtering. Has anyone else had this issue? What is the correct approach to this? Our games have gotten smaller over time, which bugs me, also we have people who come few and far between, but our core group has remained intact.


HELP?!??!

Oh and if I have this in the wrong forum, please move it.