when to leave a poker table

**Blacke** · 09-04-10, 12:09 AM

I think you can't really set a standard like that and I play it by ear. If I am beating the table and think I can still beat the table I stay as long as I think I have that edge but if I am only up due to getting lucky in a big pot I am quicker to leave. You should try to play at tables where you have the edge, if you don't have an edge then you are at the wrong tables...and if you are scared to lose it, then just don't put it in the middle, simple as that.

**MadTiger** · 09-04-10, 06:15 AM

It's a combination of a lot of things. But definitely, when you are down a few buyins, get the hell out of there. For some, that is three, for others it may be five. But if they are getting your ass, try again some other time. But the opposite of that is when you are up, you want to protect your profits, but you don't want to leave equity at the table. As long as you are still playing your top game, keep on.

**The Madcap** · 09-04-10, 06:24 AM

For whatever reason, that I have yet to figure out, I'm a much stronger player after I bust out the first time. When I get up big on my second buy in it's usually because I've figured out how to frustrate the rest of the table, which then gets a lot more easier once I've racked enough pots to short stack 'em. And then I just keep leaning on them and keep them guessing. At that point, my general rule is just not to get involved in big hands unless I have the nuts.

I fold A/K; A/Q; Q/Q pre-flop all the time to really big raises in that position just because I don't want to risk some jackmule catching two pair or a set on me. I've always had a hard time laying down A/K or A/Q in a big hand if an Ace comes on the flop, and I get burned with it all the time to some shit like A/7, or K/10, K/J, so I check myself in advance by folding. But again, that's only if I'm up big, and know I've got chips to work with. Otherwise I usually feel I've got to take the shot at the pot if there isn't a straight or flush out there. If a guy's got two pair, a guy's got two pair.

**soaked in sweat** · 09-04-10, 05:36 PM

seems like thats a good way to do it sinmiedo

**sinmiedo** · 09-04-10, 11:54 PM

today i took a chances and lost all my wining against a higher flush ( floped ) q over K of harts .
I did want to leave, but i play it aganst my rules, and got shafted,
I noticed the following, once i win about 3 times the original buy in, i became stagnant for about 30 hands, that is the signal....leave the table.............

alex

**Kaladarus** · 09-05-10, 12:11 PM

One thing to look at is the strategy you are using at the table. If you are buying with max buy in it shouldn't affect you too much when you double or triple up. If you are using a small stack strategy and buying in for less, you should be leaving the table after a double up. Also if the table is the same and you have an edge on your opponents then there's really no reason to leave. However, if you're uncomfortable with more money it may be time to leave the table when you start feeling uncomfortable. If you change the way you play and don't follow a similar strategy to the strategy that got you up there in money, it may be time to leave. Ideally if you are buying in for the max it shouldn't make a difference how much money you win, but if it affects your game in anyway you need to either make adjustments or leave the table.

**podelenieto** · 09-05-10, 01:55 PM

I usually get the hell out of the table when i lose a couple of hands in a row because usually my bad temper makes me stay and lose everything. So my advise>>when u are ahead don`t push it and take ur winnings before your temper makes u lose everything

**iwant2lrn** · 09-05-10, 02:13 PM

For me that sounds like a good safe approach to work with but if I am starting to lose and I leave the table and go to another I usually continue to lose for some reason. If you are up 3 or 4 times buy-in, I try to stop playing at that point if I can and play another day. It is very hard but the longer you play the more likely you will lose your money. This is always the case as everyone knows.

**HustleGetPaid** · 09-05-10, 04:08 PM

I would leave if I'm losing or after I'm up and just took a hit to the bankroll. Doesn't have to big or large hit to my stack, but enough where I don't wanna chance and eventually get on tilt.

**GiveMeaBJ** · 09-05-10, 04:13 PM

The most important thing at the poker table is to be honest with yourself. Yea, sometimes you are winning but you have to know that sometimes you are getting it in bad and hitting the magical cards. At that moment you have to realize your not playing well and cash out if it continues. You should never leave a game just because you are winning or just because you are losing. There is no such thing as it just not being your night. If the game is profitable for you to play in and you have a good feel for the table you should stay as long as you continue to play well. The minute you begin to lose focus, get tired, or play bad it is time to leave. I have sat down at tables for 30 minutes saw that I was the fish and gotten up losing $25. I have also sat down at tables where I knew I owned the table and cashed out because I started to lose focus and try to outplay everyone everyhand. As long as you stick to your profitable style of play and the game is profitable there is no reason to cash out.