Knowing when to quit

A smart player always knows when they have reached their playing limit. This point is often referred to as a “stop-loss limit”. Although this limit varies with the individual, it is usually around a third of the players total playing stake for that session.

If a player consistently encounters failure at a particular game, and is down two thirds of their playing stake, they would be wise to at least change tables, if not quit the session altogether.

The same applies to winning streaks. If a player makes a habit of quitting every time they are up two-thirds on their original total then they will always be quitting while they are ahead.

Before a player embarks on a game, they should always pre-designate a point at which they should stop. Carrying on regardless, whether on a winning or losing streak, can often push the player into a state of mind, where they may make foolish decisions that cost them money.