Let’s talk about a poker move that sounds backwards but changed everything for me: I doubled my results by cutting my stakes in half. No, really.

For years, I chased bigger tables, thinking “higher stakes, higher profits.” But all I got was more stress, tighter play, and a bankroll that looked like a rollercoaster. One day, I decided to flip the script. I dropped down to smaller games—half the stakes I was used to—and suddenly, everything clicked.

Here’s what happened: The pressure was off. I could play looser, experiment, and actually have fun again. My reads got sharper, my bluffs landed more often, and my win rate skyrocketed. The best part? My hourly rate—what I actually took home per hour—jumped 10x. Turns out, dominating a smaller pond beats barely treading water in the ocean.

Moral of the story: Don’t let ego dictate your game. Sometimes, the smartest move is to step down, regroup, and crush it where you’re most comfortable. Your bankroll (and sanity) will thank you.