Poker players need to be completely focused that the game and make sure that any distractions are swiftly dealt with. You can’t afford to slip out of the “zone” and drift aimlessly while playing on autopilot, because sooner or later you suffer a significant loss. Sometimes the transition from a profitable session to a total disaster is seamless and unless you keep watching for the signs to pull the rip cord, you will find yourself mired in a losing streak.
Contrary to popular belief, tilt is not the only catalyst for downswings as players can start losing a lot of money without allowing emotions to overwhelmed them. If you play against a tough crowd, it is enough to lower the level of your game to start losing and this is why you need to sit out well before you lose several stacks. Obviously, if you re-buy two or three times and things don’t go your way, this should be a clear indicator that you have no business being at the table anymore and take a lengthy break.
A more subtle sign that you should pull the report and do something else is the inability to compete at your a-level. Fatigue is the natural result of playing long hours, without having the sufficient practice or after dealing with a bunch of problems unrelated to poker. Increasing the intake of coffee doesn’t always help and even if the magical elixir keeps you awake, it won’t necessarily elevate your level of play.
Sometimes in poker it is just as important not to lose as it is to win large pots, because on the long run you need to offset all losses. There is no point in persevering in mistake, and it makes perfect sense to call you today if you no longer feel like playing. Some people chase losses without even knowing it, until they finally realize that a lot of money has been lost and they do everything in their power to recuperate the money in the same session.
It goes without saying that in most cases this is only wishful thinking as it is virtually impossible to turn things around by doubling your efforts. Whether luck is against you, the opponents play better than you do or you are simply unable to focus due to external factors, the solution is the same. Quit playing and return to the tables later or the next day, when you are refreshed and capable of starting from scratch without allowing the events of the previous session affect your game.