Controlling Tilt

Tilt is an inevitable fate that a poker player will experience at some point while playing and is a natural occurrence. What it means to be on tilt is that you are letting your emotions impact your play. This generally happens after losing a hand to a bad beat. For example, you have AK and flop 2 pair, bet large and are called all the way to the river where the person that called you catches a 6 and makes 3 of a kind. Learning how to control your emotions, and limit the amount of times you go on tilt will help your poker bankroll.

One of the worst possible things to do while on tilt is to start over betting and playing very weak hands. If you do go on tilt, the best thing for you to do is to sit back, breath, and think about anything but the last hand. If you're unable to do this, then like most poker players who cannot control themselves while tilting, you will lose all your money at the table.

If you are able to stay focused, and play hands in a reasonable manner, you will have a better chance at succeeding in playing poker. This does not mean that you should go on tilt as that is nearly impossible in any poker player's career, but limiting your emotional bursts is a step in the right direction. While a player going on tilt is generally caused by losing a hand, or losing it to a bad beat, it is entirely possible for a player to also go on tilt after winning a few large hands.

Controlling Tilt Playing Online Poker

During my time playing poker, I've come across a couple of ways to control my emotions while tilting. One of the best methods I use is to sit out if possible and just breathe. What this does is allow me to relax and to slow my pulse rate allowing negative thought to remove itself from my mind. Another method I've found that works is to think about the times I've done the same thing to someone else. During my career, especially in the beginning stages, I've handed out bad beats to plenty of players who also tilted right after. Think of it as karma, what goes around comes around.

One final method I'd found that works in keeping my emotions in check is to listen to music. They say music tames the savage beast, and when it comes to being angry or tilting, it is no exception. While these are just a few techniques I've used, there are bound to be others. Always try to do what is best for yourself and your specific situation, and remember, you can't always win at poker; everyone loses eventually. It's those who learn how to take it in stride, learn from it and move on that become great.