Calling it quits for day and how to know when to do so (part 2)

September 26, 2006

Okay, so we are hoping you read part 1 of this detailed article on gambling. If not, this section may or may not make much sense to you, so we recommend you read the first part before starting this one.

Continued….

Let’s say that you have joined Texas Hold'em table with a group of players that you have never played against in the past and know nothing about. After 30 minutes, you understand that you are playing with a table full of next to perfect players - pros. You know that you are in fact the least skilled player at the table, but you are still managing to slam a few sweet flops - you are actually at this time winning and enjoying your good luck. What do you do?

Not to rain on your parade, but you do know that you are out classed even though you are doing well now. The other players at the table have the ability to whip you even though you have been lucky so far. Your opponents at the poker will begin to do just that if you remain in the game long enough. Never stay in any game where you are the weakest link – no matter if you have hit a few flops and feel good. Just as you have been lucky, their skill will beat yours when your luck runs out – and it will. So, leave the table. Be happy with your goof luck and get out while the getting is good.

Okay, so what if you are already starting to succumb to your opponent’s skill before you realize its time to quit for the day?  Come on here – it’s the same answer – get out while you still have something to show for yourself. Many online poker players find themselves in this very situation – most of them make the wrong decision too. They stay in way past their bed time so to speak.

Now, we have just spelled out two situations that call for the same outcome. One of the situations had you winning, the other had you losing. Either way, the answer remains the same – quit now.

So, here is the reversal o what we have covered so far, Say you are playing with a bunch of non skilled beginners. These poker players have no idea what they are really doing, still you have been taken down by a few bad beats and are currently getting pummeled. What do you do?

Since you know you outclass the field, the "cream" should eventually rise to the top. Therefore you should dig in and just keep applying your advantage.

And what if you were already beating their brains in? Since you're a definite favorite over them, you're likely to keep right on winning, so the answer is again to stay put.

Those were yet two more scenarios with opposite situations, yet both answers again were the same, this time that you should keep on playing. Well then, can you see that whether to quit or keep gambling has nothing to do with winning or losing? Can you see what the two real determinants were? They were -- simply whether you had the advantage or disadvantage.

When you have the edge, you're always more likely to win than lose from this moment going forward. When you have the disadvantage, you're always more likely to lose.

It does not matter whether you have won or lost up to this moment. It also does not matter what the game is – this doesn’t just count when playing Hold’em. If you have the time and the edge and still have the bank roll to continue – do so. Keep playing. If you don’t have the edge, the sooner you stop playing the better you are.

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