One bad beat does not always induce tilt. Most players are in control of their emotions at the poker table. It is usually a series of bad beats that starts to affect somebody. Have you ever watched a TV show where a situation is set up where one driver going along the road has one person after the other pull out in front of them? You notice they are fine for the first two, then they go mad. The same concept applies to poker.

Some opponents will try and rub it in verbally if you get a couple of bad beats. They will try to induce anger within you to put you off your poker game. If you show even a hint of weakness either in your playing skill or mental approach to poker then it will be exploited. Here are a number of ways to get yourself in shape if you feel the anger increasing inside and an urge to play 7 2 off suit out of position.

Smile

Simple, but it works. Smiling makes you feel better even if you feel terrible inside. When you smile you will show other players that you are used to the swings of poker and sneaky tricks to put you off your best game simply will not work.

Temporarily Walk Away

If you fee bad enough about pokers bad luck hurting you yet again take a walk from the table. You are much better off losing two antes or blinds than your entire stack if you are on tilt. Many people mocked Phil Hellmuth when he launched into a tirade at the World Series of Poker and then left the table but he did the right thing. Although some of the performance is for the benefit of the cameras to play up to his “poker brat” image, if he was feeling bad he is better off away from the table. This should be something you do only when necessary however.

Let It Go

Even if you sit festering in your negative thoughts, after you have done so for a time then let the negativity go. Poker is a game of skill and luck and if you are too strongly affected by the swings of bankroll and luck then unfortunately your suitability to play poker is in question. Feel bad for a moment, understand why you feel bad and then get to work analysing the hand to ensure no mistake was made and your nemesis is just the percentages playing themselves out in the spot.

Leave the Game

If you are in a poker tournament then this is not possible, but in cash games if you feel particularly bad then you should exercise your right to leave the game. There is little point in continuing if you are mentally unable to play your best game. Poker tournament players will need to come to terms with their tilt issues and get themselves in a fit mental state to continue, you should always remember that luck works both ways and sometimes you will be the one getting lucky. Perspective is sometimes lost in poker but having it is a great way to cope with tilting.

By Malcolm Clarke