I've noted that more often than not, if I lose the ash and expose the central burning core the darn stick starts a run right there. No matter how well they begin their burn. I know the ash insulates and blocks the wind and I'm guessing that exposing that core is what will start a run. I've gotten to where I play this game of making a long ash just to keep the cigar burning even and not running.

How can I get more reliable burns and begin to care less 'bout my ash?