I’m Up $200, Maybe I Should Leave…
Poker should be considered one big, long session. Each time you sit at the table you should attempt to play your best. As long as you are playing well and your opponents are making mistakes, you should keep playing.
Whether you are up or down for the night should not be a consideration if you are thinking about getting up from the table, unless it is affecting your play.
Luck plays a large factor in your results in any given night. Poker is about the long run and your job is to make good decisions. Leaving a table simply because you are up for the night may cause you to miss out on even bigger wins later on.
Many players set a limit for their potential losses when they are at the table (ie. if they lose a certain amount of money they will stop playing). This is a very good strategy if you are the type of player who is more likely to make mistakes if you are down.
Some players experience this type of tilt, especially if they are losing as a result of their opponents’ luck. However, if you are able to play solid poker even when you have been losing, then it might be in your best interest to stay at the table.
If you are losing because your opponents have been getting lucky, then you are at a good table. Your opponents are making mistakes, which is what you want from your opponents. Chances are that your opponent’s good luck will not continue if they are playing poorly. By staying at the table, you may find that you will be able to recoup your losses and show a profit.
Regardless of whether you are winning or losing, you want to play at a table where your opponents are playing badly. So, unless you find that you do not play your best based on being up or down for the night, then you might as well keep playing……after all it is just one big, long session.