Stop playing when you are up

[Mythra]

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?

[CrustyFace]

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.

[Schwang]

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.

[Unknown Soldier]

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

[bruin]

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

[Unknown Soldier]

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

[CrustyFace]

[ 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.

[BigBuffet]

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.

[iAmAddicted]

because if you're up that much you are in a good mindset and playing your best game most likely...don't stop when you have a an edge. We're gamblers, we push our edges until we fall off of them.

[BigBuffet]

I should have qualified my post for NL cash games where the tide can turn quickly.

In limit cash games you can grind it out until your eyes fall out...