Knowing when to walk away from a casino cash game (1 Viewer)

[WedgeRock]

I'm talking casino cash games where the sole purpose is to make money. I don't play at a casino that often, but when I do, I've noticed a tendency to stay too long.

It was one of my biggest leaks. "I'll leave when my profit is $x" then making a loose call to try and get over that hump, whiffing, and losing a big chunk, then chasing that big pot loss for too long before walking away with less profit/down/felted.

I read a strategy that was attributed to Tommy Angelo: set repeating timers and re-assess the situation every 45 or 60 minutes. Is the game still juicy? Am I playing well? How am I (sleepy, hungry, etc.)? How late is it? How much longer do I intend to play?

These quick introspections have helped me not to overstay in a suboptimal environment.

In a casino cash game, what do you do to prevent overstaying and get out at the right time?

 

[KHarp1]

Lol, I recently had a humbling experience staying too long. I had announced that this was probably my last orbit when I was in the BB. I had run 300 up to 1300 playing 1-3 NLHE. I had taken a few big pots off a LAG that had gotten up to take a break. As the button was approaching he came back from his break, so, I thought why not hang around and see if I can get a bit more from him. Twice my full house got beat by quads, then, trip K's got out kicked. I felt like I was probably behind on that one, but, that was the last hand so I was pushing on a bit of a tilt. Ended up walking away up 50 instead of a grand. Lesson learned, when I announce last orbit then it's last orbit!

A few weeks later I was not in the right zone, zigging when I should have zagged, and everything was just not going my way. Hands I thought about playing but folded ended up being the nuts, on huge pots. Hands I felt I was good on I wasn't. Lost my 300 and told the table that our just wasn't my night. Got up and left after 45 minutes. I could have pulled out more money, but, I realized I wasn't in sync with playing that night and decided to just walk away. Maybe I should have stayed and worked through it.

 

[l33tf0b]

I think deep down we all know when to leave but lack discipline to do so. A lot of times it comes down to letting go of your ego. I’ve been tracking buyins via app so it breaks down optimal days / times / locations and number of hours played.

I find that 5 hour mark to be my sweet spot which scratches the itch yet allows u to optimize wins. If casino I use to make notes every hour on my stack size or i color up and once I lose the lower denoms I leave. There are times where I chase but I try to stick to the plan.
Say I’m up 1800 I usually color up 1600 and leave 200 to see flops. I’m ok losing this 200 and will continue to color up as I win more pots. If bad beat or my play is affected I leave. The caveat is that if the game is good but you’re running bad, judgment call. I tend to stay but sometimes u just have to table change if things aren’t going your way.

Don’t look at it as session by session but a long continuous session when you play. Always next time — degens and the game of poker aren’t disappearing. Reward yourself when u win but not to the point it affects your bank roll. Buy chips on PCF when u win to accumulate good luck

 

[Bacon Dad]

I could have pulled out more money, but, I realized I wasn't in sync with playing that night and decided to just walk away. Maybe I should have stayed and worked through it.

Being able to realize and acknowledge when you are out of sync is tough to do but very important. I wonder how often it has positive results when someone tries to “work through it”. I think you made the right decision. Some nights we just don’t catch anything and sacrifice our buy in.

Love the idea the OP has with reassessing your current state with respect to your goals every 45-60 mins.

 

[l33tf0b]

Lol, I recently had a humbling experience staying too long. I had announced that this was probably my last orbit when I was in the BB. I had run 300 up to 1300 playing 1-3 NLHE. I had taken a few big pots off a LAG that had gotten up to take a break. As the button was approaching he came back from his break, so, I thought why not hang around and see if I can get a bit more from him. Twice my full house got beat by quads, then, trip K's got out kicked. I felt like I was probably behind on that one, but, that was the last hand so I was pushing on a bit of a tilt. Ended up walking away up 50 instead of a grand. Lesson learned, when I announce last orbit then it's last orbit!

A few weeks later I was not in the right zone, zigging when I should have zagged, and everything was just not going my way. Hands I thought about playing but folded ended up being the nuts, on huge pots. Hands I felt I was good on I wasn't. Lost my 300 and told the table that our just wasn't my night. Got up and left after 45 minutes. I could have pulled out more money, but, I realized I wasn't in sync with playing that night and decided to just walk away. Maybe I should have stayed and worked through it.

If you’re not feeling it … best to walk away. My big wins usually come from long breaks where I’m itchy to play or I’ve been on a heater and you’re looking to extend that win streak.

 

[tabletalker7]

Just remember, you went to the casino to enjoy a game you like. I know the whole money aspect but if you don't enjoy poker you wouldn't play at all. So that means when you start losing that whole fun part of it (we have all been there .... when you start thinking of other things, like picking up a pizza, or if these chips are worth harvesting), time to go.

 

[mike32]

Years ago I used to play at a shady charity room at a golf course near my house. I didn’t plan on a late night but at around 8pm I hit AAAQQ for high hand at that time. Long story short I ended up hanging out til 2am and drinking too much to lose like $150 (I was probably up $300) and win a $200 high hand jackpot.

 

[Postoakpoker]

Lol, I recently had a humbling experience staying too long. I had announced that this was probably my last orbit when I was in the BB. I had run 300 up to 1300 playing 1-3 NLHE. I had taken a few big pots off a LAG that had gotten up to take a break. As the button was approaching he came back from his break, so, I thought why not hang around and see if I can get a bit more from him. Twice my full house got beat by quads, then, trip K's got out kicked. I felt like I was probably behind on that one, but, that was the last hand so I was pushing on a bit of a tilt. Ended up walking away up 50 instead of a grand. Lesson learned, when I announce last orbit then it's last orbit!

A few weeks later I was not in the right zone, zigging when I should have zagged, and everything was just not going my way. Hands I thought about playing but folded ended up being the nuts, on huge pots. Hands I felt I was good on I wasn't. Lost my 300 and told the table that our just wasn't my night. Got up and left after 45 minutes. I could have pulled out more money, but, I realized I wasn't in sync with playing that night and decided to just walk away. Maybe I should have stayed and worked through it.

At a casino I feel no obligation to announce my intention to leave. I find that it can change the way that I play & that others may play against me (which could be profitable but could also put you into the blender).

 

[MrRossKeys]

At a casino I feel no obligation to announce my intention to leave. I find that it can change the way that I play & that others may play against me (which could be profitable but could also put you into the blender).

I agree 100% with this.

I used to try to predict when I should leave. "One more orbit," "one more good winning hand," "one more hand against the loose player," etc and no matter what I'd always end up staying too long and giving some back. Now I keep it simple. The very moment I feel like leaving I pick up my chips and walk away. Especially in Vegas as I know I'll probably be back later that night or the next morning.

I've never felt better.

 

[BiGGyT]

For casino games, I read an article I use often. I set a win and loss "goal". If I buy in $300 I say win $100 lose $100. If I lose $100 I leave. If I win $100, I set a new goal of win +$200 loss -$50 so that if I lose $50, I still leave up $50. Adjust if you keep winning, but always leave a winner. Obviously, table stakes are higher than $5min, so your starting amount and win/loss go up appropriately.

 

[ngmcs8203]

I have a stop loss of 2 full buyins. I also try and leave by a certain time if I’m playing in a casino. If it’s a home game I will sit until the game breaks or I’m too tired.

Also was this post inspired by this?

https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/1bwyw78/comment/ky9mce1

 

[Sprouty]

When you get scooped by @WedgeRock you know you've stayed too long.

 

[WedgeRock]

Also was this post inspired by this?

https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/1bwyw78/comment/ky9mce1

I read that post and put this up to see others' exit strategies, because Reddit is full of jokesters. But I had heard Tommy Angelo's strategy a couple of years ago.

 

[DoubleEagle]

When the money is gone it's time to move on.

 

[LowerBama1714]

Every time I play in a casino I become less interested.

I feel like one minute is too long to spend with a bunch of strangers….home games rule for finding joy in the game.

The chips, conversations, action, food, etc are all better.

That being said…let me know if anyone is heading to the Beau anytime soon.

Lots of fresh house molds floating around.

 

[upNdown]

Every time I play in a casino I become less interested.

I feel like one minute is too long to spend with a bunch of strangers….home games rule for finding joy in the game.

The chips, conversations, action, food, etc are all better.

That being said…let me know if anyone is heading to the Beau anytime soon.

Lots of fresh house molds floating around.

Yes for cash. For sure, no doubt. But if tournaments are your thing, casinos are necessary.

 

[LowerBama1714]

Yes for cash. For sure, no doubt. But if tournaments are your thing, casinos are necessary.

Oh definitely. Tournaments are a major pain in the ass.

 

[Bill_Man618]

Every time I play in a casino I become less interested.

I feel like one minute is too long to spend with a bunch of strangers….home games rule for finding joy in the game.

The chips, conversations, action, food, etc are all better.

That being said…let me know if anyone is heading to the Beau anytime soon.

Lots of fresh house molds floating around.

Bro one second is to long to spend with the degenerate gambling addicts that are in my casinos. Shit makes me sad to even be around. I think next time I go I’m bringing my noise canceling headphones and am just gonna grind. Because some of those guys are insufferable

 

[ttowns86]

If you are talking poker cash games then I find it better to think of it as all one long session instead of night by night.

 

[Schmendr1ck]

I always have a stop loss, usually 3 buyins.

I will periodically evaluate my own play and the table. If the game is good, I'm making good decisions, and I haven't hit my stop loss, I'll stay.

I experience lots of different tilt. Entitlement tilt, winner's tilt, frustration at running bad, etc. Over the years I've gotten pretty good at recognizing it and taking a break or racking up when I'm tilted.

Using live sessions on Poker Bankroll Tracker also seems to help keep me aware of the session instead of looking at the game one hand at a time. It may sound weird, but I feel like I play better when I use it than when I don't.