Is it okay to protect a result as the session is ending?
Posted by seeris
Posted by
seeris
posted in
Mental Game
Is it okay to protect a result as the session is ending?
Hello,
I've been struggling with the correct mindset with regards to this question. Is it okay to protect a win when you know the session is about to end.
By "protecting a win" I mean taking lower variance lines that you would not normally take.
I feel there are two mindsets:
Mindset 1) - "Life is your session". It does not matter when the session is ending, take the highest EV line in each hand and whatever happens, happens. Accept the result and analyse your decisions later
Mindset 2) - We are human beings and getting affected by a positive or negative result is normal. Also the result can affect our confidence, mood and happiness in general which we can use as momentum to carry into the next session. Also in some cases negative results can have an affect on our personal lives. Taking low variance lines at the end of a session to protect a win is alright.
I have always been in the first category but recently as I play more and mature as a player I find myself switching to the second mindset. I feel confidence is an important attribute to my A game so developing consistency with regards to positive results brings out my best game and improves my win rate.
What do you guys feel? Is it okay to have the second mindset or shall I train my self to go back to the first.
Thanks,
Seeris.
Loading 4 Comments...
Mindset 1 is preferable and I would try to move more towards that mindset, but it's not going to kill your profitability if you decide to nit it up in your last orbit when you play. I think that this question is much more important if you're a professional and you depend on squeaking every last bit of EV out of the sessions that you play. If you're playing as a hobby, I would stick with whatever makes you happiest for the most part. As you mentioned above, we're human, and if losing a 500bb pot right before you quit for the night is going to ruin your weekend or something then just stay out of the way.
Try to do ''cooldown'' after session, and ''warm-up'' before. That should help with this mindset, when you are leaving tables you just moving on to ''real life'' and would be perfect to not think/talk poker in that period of time.
Yeah it sucks to lose right before end, but it is nice to win right before end too^^ Someday you will lose and another time win, don't focus too much on that. Process is more important
Good suggestions so far. Only thing I would add is if you're looking to protect your finish, why not just quit right then an there? Especially if it's in a casino where your departure isn't going to break up the game or you feel obligated to play one last round, just leave. No sense in playing out the string of your last few hands if you plan to alter your approach.
If you're in a private game where doing this is frowned upon or leaving would disrupt the game substantially, then I would certainly weigh that against protecting your lead.
I agree with Mikey. I struggle with wanting to protect a win too. At that point i either quit right then and there or i use that fear (what it really is) to challenge myself to continue making the most profitable play. Its like anything else. You have to practice dealing with that fear if youre ever going to learn to play through it. But booking a win might give you confidence to bring to the next session or it may inspire you to study more. It all comes down to what your goals are, booking wins or playing well longer.
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