How to best identify playing bad vs. running bad?

[Malcom Reynolds]

The aspect of the game I struggle with the most, I think, is the psychology. This is probably true moreso at the shorthanded games, where I have to struggle to not form personal vendettas, and have to work hard to remember to take things one hand at a time.

This rings really true. When you're playing the same people in hand after hand after hand, there is a lot more in the way of emotions you feel toward certain players.

There also needs a little bit more in the way of deception. If you play completely predictably, people catch on and can try to outplay you.