Imposing self limits...

[Spidey44]

So I'm new to online poker... Do you all give your self a limit when you play? What I mean by this, as an example, if I play some low limit tables, I'll sit down with X bucks, and I was thinking if I lose X in that session, it's time to get up. On the flip side, if I am up by half of what I sit down with, I should get up. Am I limiting myself or do you think this is a smart way to play?

Thanks!

[omahilo]

well its not about the short term... its about the long term.

but to answer your question, lets say you are playing NL and you lose $50 with the best hand and lose your buyin... I would keep playing since u had the best hand and lose, only due time before you get that $50 back.

On the flipside, if your just having a bad run or tilting... I would quit for the day and regroup then play later on or tommorrow.

[SirFWALGMan]

I like the idea of a losing stop gap (beleive me! lol!). That all comes down to being disciplined and looking at the long term. I like the idea of stopping while ahead, however, if your on a good string why stop? Why not say "If I lose 5 bucks of my winnings I am leaving".. and keep revising this as you keep winning. That way you can milk your winning streak for as much as possible, and once you start giving some back you just leave.

[Talking Poker]

Quitting while losing is important. You don't have to set an exact $ amount, but whether you realize it or not, unless you have incredible discipline, you'll start playing differently after a really bad run. It's time to get up and take break. If I could follow this advice myself, I'd be far better off than I am now.

As for quitting when you are winning, this is NOT a good idea. If you are at a good table and you are on a roll, you should play until you get tired or the table changes. You need to take advantage of these profitable situations for as long as you can.

[Vatrlrman]

I also use the idea of a stop lost. I play mostly limit and use 50 bb as my stop. Also like SirFWALGMan I adjust upward if winning. It allows me to lock in a big session and stop chasing a losing one. (That use to be a MAJOR problem).


Good Luck with the Online Experience

[Talking Poker]

First time poster, I see. Welcome to the forum Vatrlrman!

[badblood44]

The key here is determining how well or poorly you're playing, not dollars won or lost.

I've heard pros say that they'll play until they feel themselves playing at less than their optimum and that's when they call it a night.

Sure it can be disappointing to lose a buy-in, especially when you feel you're playing some good poker.

Trust me, you can lose a ton playing well and win a ton playing poorly.

Recognizing when your game is faltering is a key factor in determining when to call it quits.

[GeoffM]

No limit for me. If I double up, I leave table and join another with half what I won, but I really won't leave a table unless I find myself getting tired or just not playing my best game.