Cash Out Curse

I have logged as many hours at online poker rooms as anyone over the last eight years.' I've played on almost every site, and feel I have a strong grasp on the ever-evolving online poker market.

With that knowledge, I do not feel that any of the major sites "pull the plug" on a player after a cash out. Instead, I have found that cashing out creates two different barriers to overcome.

The first is a psychological barrier, one in that the player inadvertently creates for himself or herself.' This barrier results from the player putting more pressure on their self to win; as recent success may have skewed how much the player expects to make per hour/day/week etc.

The Second barrier is one that is strictly mathematical.' Playing at your given limits on a regular basis, you are used to the swings that occur to your bankroll'however, after a cash out, even though you have been used to the swings, you have not been used to them with your now smaller bankroll on the site.' This creates larger percentage swings in your bankroll, which you may not have been as prepared to handle.

All in all, the cash out curse is nothing more than something we create in our heads. Manage your bankroll the same as usual and you should never experience these dreaded streaks of bad performance.

Brett Jungblut

note by gank: this article appeared in Bluff Magazine.