Hope Chess: Playing for Traps

So I went through an interesting psychological experience today...one that I will admit I've experienced before.  I had what looked like an excellent combination that lead to mate but when I looked closer I realized my attack was a tempo too slow.  I was then faced with the decision to either set up the "trap" with what was probably not the best move (if my opponent caught on) or look for a move that improved my position.  Well, I couldn't resist the urge and wouldn't you know, the trap worked and I quickly mated my opponent:

So even though I was happy I had won the game I mostly felt guilty.  I think that's because I played the move 18...Rh7 which I knew in my heart was not the best move and served no other purpose than to further my trap-laying plan.

In a different game however,  I layed a very cheap trap for an opponent who was closing in for the kill....one last ditch effort to save my hide, and it worked guilt free:

Now this last game I didn't feel the least bit guilty about the trap....my general play during the game was depressing enough.  Objectively speaking, I probably played the best move for the position because I had no other good moves to play.

So I'm wondering if there is a way to qualify when is a good time, if ever, to lay a cheap trap for your opponent AND how do others feel when they are "guilty" of playing Hope Chess?  Thanks!

Yeah, no doubt but I also thought it might be fun to shamelessly share games in which one player plays a cheap trap successfully.