止赢（Stop Win）

Overview

Stop Win is a disciplined strategy in poker bankroll management where a player immediately stops playing and leaves the table once their profit reaches a preset target in a single session or over a certain period. Its core purpose is to lock in achieved gains and prevent giving them back by continuing to play, thereby protecting the profit.

Application Scenarios

Stop Win is commonly used in cash games or specific stages of tournaments. Players set a specific profit amount or percentage based on their bankroll, profit goals, and psychological tolerance. For example, in a $1/$2 No-Limit Hold'em cash game, a player may set a stop-win at $200 profit.

Difference from Stop Loss

Stop Win is the counterpart of Stop Loss. Stop Loss sets a maximum loss threshold – when losses reach that limit, the player stops to control damage. Stop Win sets a profit ceiling to prevent losing existing gains due to greed. Together, they form a vital part of bankroll management.

Psychological Factors

The stop-win strategy helps overcome the urge to "keep playing after winning." Many players become overconfident or relaxed after a win, leading to suboptimal decisions that eventually give back the profit. Strictly following a stop-win cultivates discipline and avoids emotional gameplay.

Controversy and Considerations

Some professional players argue that if the game remains profitable (i.e., the player has a positive expected value), stop-win may limit long-term earnings. Therefore, stop-win is more suitable in the following situations:

• When the player is tired or losing focus
• When the game environment deteriorates (e.g., opponents become stronger)
• When bankroll management requires it (e.g., to protect short-term funds)

Stop-win is not an absolute rule but a tool to be applied flexibly based on individual strategy and current conditions.