Thinking players should constantly engage in ongoing fraud with our opponents, with the aim of inducing them to act to our benefit. The main financial difference between a good and a bad player is in folding, saving bets. While lots of players pat themselves on the back for being able to manage that occasionally, it needs to be put in perspective. The big laydown is a rare thing. The fold happens at some point in every hand we don't win.
Flight is also important in the skill of choosing when to quit a game.
Attempting to minimize losses should add more money to a player's pocket than attempting to maximize profits simply because there are more opportunities to do the minimizing. Consequently, bets are squandered. Profit is reduced. Money not lost spends the same as money won. Poker is a bottomless pit of decisions and actions with financial ramifications.