jb

Walking away is often the hardest decision for a poker player to make and habitually making the wrong decision is one of the biggest leaks in the game of most good poker players. Many professionals suggest that you should never limit your winnings, and you should never walk away from a game were you have a definite edge. Let me suggest something a little bit different in both of these situations, but it does require a little work. You have to keep records. I have found over the years that my deviations are pretty consistent based on the average pot size of the game. A win of six times the average pot size is about the maximum for a winning session. After this the rake and small losses tend to eat into my stack. Then when I stay to win back what had drained away, I lose a little more until soon I'm even again. My rule of thumb is to walk when I have reached 5 times the average pot size. Yes this limits my winnings but I do get up and leave with my winnings. If you keep adequate records, you can calculate your own walk point.

alking while losing is another problem all together. If I get down more than five average pots, I walk when I win back to within one average pot of even. If I just continue to lose, I base my decision on the reaction of the other players. If the have lost respect for me, calling with anything, and treating me like a mark. I must be the mark. I walk. Yes, I do walk a loser but I don't lose as much. If you sit and play after the pain of losing has become numb, your bankroll can be devastated.

1. No help and fold: You have lost any money you put in the pot.
2. Get some of the flop and trap yourself into chasing a better hand and losing a bunch. (Remember your kicker or second pair suck.) By mucking the hand before the flop you can avoid some real bad decisions later in the hand. You would probably improve your win rate, if you consider A rag suited only marginal. The only real discussion should be. Can you lay down two pair to a bet?