Knowing When to Quit with Daniel Negreanu

The latest YouTube poker tip by Daniel Negreanu focuses on an issue that the vast majority of poker players likely struggle with, knowing when to quit and walk away from the cash game table.

I had to laugh while watching the video because just yesterday I couldn't break away from an online PLO game. I had articles to write and a bunch of other things to do, telling myself "two more orbits and I'm out of here," but I continued to play - entirely too long.

Play Hours, Not Results

KidPoker advises to set a time to leave the game prior to sitting down. He mentioned his old cash game grinder routine of putting in a 12 noon to 8 p.m. shift and then calling it a day, just like a regular job.

If it were only that easy!

I have no problems with having good intentions on how long to play and when to leave the game. The problem is sticking to that self-imposed cut off time. I know I'm certainly not alone in that regard.

Chasing Losses

DNegs relates the story of a ladyfriend who happened to have a 90% win rate over her playing sessions, yet was barely breaking even. The reason? She couldn't get up from the table when losing, trying to win back the money lost.

Serious poker players tend to dislike losing, of course, and sometimes may find themselves in a similar predicament as Negreanu's friend. It's difficult to accept and acknowledge losses, which is why players continue to play on, many times with detrimental results.

A Fine Example

After watching KidPoker's video on when to quit, take a look at this one from an episode of High Stakes Poker as well. The Poker Hall of Famer's top pair loses to a set on the turn by Ilari ‘Ziigmund’ Sahamies, leaving him with only a few chips remaining.

What will the PokerStars Team Pro do? Dig into his deep pockets and try to win that money back? Of course not, DNegs knows when to get up and walk away, graciously tipping the dealer on his way out the door.