Dating by the rules of poker

You don't ever know how it's going to turn out -- you could win your heart's desire, or wind up broke, alone and kicking yourself for playing in the first place.

If love is a gamble, then it follows that dating is a game. It requires lots of skills, it has a million nuances, and the stakes can get sky-high. You play with your head as well as your heart. Come to think of it, it's a lot like high-stakes poker. And many of the rules of poker can apply.

With input from a couple poker pros (female ones, 'cause they understand your sensitive side), we've comprised some ground rules to keep in mind when you're across the table from the next potential Mr. or Mrs. Right.

Get in the Game at the Right Time

If you've just busted out of a big tournament, you don't want to immediately jump into another big-money game.

"Your mindset isn't right, and there's a bad, negative aura," explains Lynette Chan of Team Full Tilt. Poker players call this negative mindset being "on tilt," and they know it's one of the quickest ways to dig yourself an even bigger hole.

How this translates: Say you just had a nasty breakup. You're at an emotional low (fixing relationships takes a lot of energy, especially when it doesn't work), you're tired, and you're vulnerable. It's not a good time to jump into a new relationship. And though you think a casual fling might boost your self-esteem, it usually has the opposite effect.

But what about the flip side?

"If you're coming off a big win, you need time to collect yourself and your thoughts, so you don't get too aggressive and start to think you're God," says Vanessa Rousso, 22-year-old PokerStars pro.

Likewise, if you just got promoted to your dream job, or you're getting ready to go on that once-in-a-lifetime vacation around the world, now might not be the best time to get into a relationship. How can you focus on anyone else when you're so completely wrapped up in your own awesomeness?