Recouping Losses

Alright. I have one glaring weakness in my game. And that is trying to recoup my losses. Lets say I lost $50 yesterday, and i'm up $40 today with 10 minutes left in my session. I get extremely anxious to break even on my losses from yesterday, and I end up making bad decisions that cost me more in the end.
Can anyone offer some advice on how to conquer this problem, because it is not even something that I am conscious of while at the table, only after the fact.

Hey Ace,

Yes, this is a problem, I'm sure you've heard this before. Your lifetime of Poker is one session. What happened yesterday, or for that matter, 10 minutes ago should not have any bearing on how you play!!

We have bankroll management for a reason, Somedays its up and Somedays its down. To help with this try to only look at your bankroll once a week, not every day.

Sammy. Thanks for the input, I will definately give that a try. The only problem is that when you enter a table, it shows your bankroll and asks how much you want to take the to table, so it is difficult to not at the least acknowledge it's existence. But it is definatly worth a shot.
I have spent a lot of time reading books to improve my game, and I think the part on bankroll management has gotten into my head and is messing with me a little bit. I have invested enough to give me plenty of buy ins to prevent utter distruction after a losing session, and this has allowed me to play with much less stress, and the game is coming comfortably now instead of trying to force it. This problem only arises at the end of my timed sessions, and I think a lot of it has to do with books that I have read regarding maximizing the profits from your winning sessions.
Prior to reading Super System 2 and Online Ace, I had considered putting a cap on the ammount that I win, and once I hit that number, walking away from the table. I considered this because I have noticed that I play better when I am even or behind than when I am well ahead. But I have tried playing times sessions versus capped sessions, and this is the problem that I have run into.
What is your feedback regarding timed sessions versus capped sessions?
In my opinion, I think capped sessions might be the best option for me at this time due to this particular problem. The reason being is that I don't have to quit, but change tables and move to a table where I am back at even and playing solid poker instead of playing comfortable and loose.
I don't know, maybe I just need to back away for a week or 2 and get this issue out of my head.

Capped sesions are certainly what I've practiced in the past. I've "tried" to leave the table once I've doubled up, but it's not always worked out that way.

1. Playing a timed session seems to be making you play, "bad" in your last 10 minutes: So going to a capped session will help you with that for sure.

2. We want to play at a table we are "better than": If your dominating a table and you get to your cap, let's say, double your money very quick, do you really want to leave? Not me. I'll usually hang around for quite a while.

3. Playing a "capped" session and being almost to your cap and feeling your "tired": Leave, don't play tired. The biggest problem with playing a "capped" session is chasing the cap. I've left quite a few times $5 or $10 away from my cap. Remember a winning session, even if it is small, is a winning session.

You said you read Online Ace which is one that I read as well. In that book he makes good points about not setting any caps or limits on your sessions but going by feel because for the most part, you are costing yourself money when you're winning. For instance if you are winning consistantly, you are obviously doing something right, or the other players at the table are good for your style that is working. It would cost you money to leave at a cap or time limit. Instead wait until things change before you leave. Like if some of the other players get up and the table changes drastically and it's not working for you anymore because the players at the table are getting a read on you. I tend to change my play at that point (especially because you don't want them getting notes on you that they can use in future sessions where you might come across them) but the other option would be to end the session.

On the other side of that, if you are losing something isn't going right so you need to think about doing one of the following A) switch your play up, B) move tables, or C) quit your session then.

I don't think putting a cap or time limit on sessions is especially good mostly for the reasons above when you are winning.

Hi Acez,

I will usually quit when I feel that I can no longer take easy money from the table. If you notice that after going up 50%, 75%, 100%, etc. that people are folding to most of your PF raises and you can't get any action, there is little point sticking around. People also look at the large stack on the table with a bit more caution than they will with the guy who only has $10 left from his $50 buy in.

Another reason to leave would be if you see that 1 person has been raising preflop and the flop with every other hand and he has burned through 2 or 3 buy ins in 100 hands - when he leaves, it is also a good idea that you leave that table too. Search for him and see if he is playing like a donk at any other tables. Usually everyone tightens up REAL tight after those players are gone.

A lot of this has to do with self control. You need to know when the right time is to just stop. If you lose 50$ one day.. and gain $40 another day you still have the next day to gain another $40 and be up again!

You're focusing too much on short-term goals, along with the wrong things.

No matter how much money one makes playing poker, variance dictates that you are going have some days where you can make proper decisions and still lose your shirt...guess what, that's poker! Instead of changing your strategy in a hopeless mission to make back all of your losses in quick fashion, why not concentrate on examining why you lost a sizeable amount of money the day before...along with why you were winning today?

Were you playing differently one day from the next? What mistakes did you make? Is there is a consistent leak in your game that needs to be fixed?

There ain't nothin' wrong with grinding your profits back up to where it once was - use a bad night to improve your game, and that will have more benefit in the long run.