What strategic mistakes did Walt make that led to his downfall?
Letting Jesse Pinkman live - Had he simply gone with Saul's advice and done an "Old Yeller" on Jesse, he wouldn't be in the situation where he finds himself at the end of the series.
Not leaving ABQ - If he wasn't cooking meth and he wasn't working as a teacher, there simply was no good reason for Walt to continue to live in New Mexico. Had he left at any time (when he made the deal with Declan, after he made the deal with Lydia,etc) he would have almost certainly escaped "justice."
Taking cash for his activities beyond a certain point - It is completely ridiculous to believe that Lydia would have brought him close to $80 million in cash. Anyone sensible wouldn't have taken more than $10-15 million at the MOST in cash and had the reminder deposited in accounts in tax havens around the world. By accepting all of his profits in cash, Walter White set into motion the events which led to his downfall.
Not "neutralizing" Hank - When it became clear that "Heisenberg" was an obsession with Hank, Walt should have plotted how he could neutralize Hank in a manner which would have removed him as being a threat. From having Saul set up Hank, to leaving a large sum of cash in Hank's house and calling in an anonymous tip, Walt should have ended Hank's career (or killed him) and then the "Heisenberg" investigation would have been brought to an end.
Not setting a low amount and getting "out" when he achieved that - Most people will never make $5 million in their lifetimes. Walter White could have set that as a goal, worked towards it and then simply ended things.
He overestimated Skyler's feelings towards him - Had he taken a rational and reasoned look at where things were going in his marriage, he would have quickly realized that things were ending and acted accordingly.
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