To be taken to the level of art, any complex activity requires deliberate and elaborate introspection. So much so, that even to be able not to engage in poker, one must be able to know oneself more intimately than most people are willing to. Introspection is difficult because our consciousness struggles against self-revelation; because self-conscious thinking is hard and the only way to be good at introspection is to be constantly self-conscious; and because it is easier to dissolve in outward activity rather than deal with your own character. That is why many people who would gladly play less poker paradoxically play more and more, yet have no idea why they do or how to stop.

You might have found yourself playing poker out of boredom or the lack of imagination to find something else to do. This leaves you without purpose and causes you to indulge in pointless activities. If you refuse to undertake the rigors of introspection, but still want to stick with poker, you might concentrate on poker with a goal of winning, and no matter what kind of poker year you have had, winning or losing, no one want to lose , so you play on.

You should concentrate on the fact that you must decide whether to keep playing the game or leave. The decision will have an immediate impact on your profits from the game and you know you cannot afford to lose. Now it has become apparent to you that the only reason to remain in the game is the odds are with you to win. Think about your ultimate goal, not whether you are winning or losing at any given time. You may be on a hot streak or in a cold spell, but what is important is the overall net gain. If you reason it out and see that however great the game is going now, that at the end you will suffer a net loss, get out now.

Practicing hit-and-run strategies may be a safe bet, but if you aim for more than safe play, this strategy is not for you. If winning is what you play for, play with discernment and introspection and leave the game only when you clearly foresee a net loss.

You must also realize that all hands in poker are dealt by pure mathematical chance, not an evil entity which haunts you. Therefore it does not make sense to feel especially anxious when the game isn’t going particularly well or be rash when you think that “luck is on your side now.” On the other hand, self-fulfilling prophesies are a real enough psychological phenomenon: after a good game and some luck, you success creates the impression of a good player; you play better, with greater confidence and aggression; while your opponents instinctively feel weaker and thus assume weaker roles, playing worse, feeling unlucky.

So, what is important here, is to not let this happen to you. Allow yourself some introspection and you may even find that you are afraid to take chances and may really think that it is wrong to do so. Admit to yourself that this is you and this idiosyncrasy alone must not control what you do in life or in poker.

The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Rakeback at Virgin Poker and Rakeback at Players Only.