Poker players-how do you deal with tilt?

Sodium Pentethol V · Jul 9, 2003

Forever and a day,

I've always gotten up and left, concentration is shot, seems pointless to continue.

The problem with this solution is tilt is almost always caused by an inferior player defying probability. By leaving, one gives up the shot at this guy's cash later. Even just sitting out briefly to cool down, often times the player is gone upon returning.

solution B is acknowledge the situation and take it into account before every play, IOW play knowing that they know you're on tilt.
This is very tough to pull off and the cards need to cooperate quite a bit.

I get up and leave almost regularly, the thought is my play is impaired and I will live to see plenty of games when it won't be.

Good luck

PatrickMcIrish · Jul 9, 2003

Great topic. You have hit on probably my biggest weakness playing poker. I have attacked tilt every way there is but to no avail. I even got so good that I could spot a player attempting to put me on tilt. This sounds weird but if I can see someone pursuing a plan I can counteract it. I see him trying to get me off my game and I have good success. However when a dumbass unknowingly puts me on tilt with stupid play it is tough for me to play on. And then trying to play on tilt when others know it is like swimming in a 10 X 10 pool with 12 hungry tigers sharks and a bloody rectum. LOL. They will eat you for lunch.

Some better than me can do it but not me, I am gone and back to fight another day when they give me the red ass.

Matt24 · Jul 9, 2003

Always think long term, thats how I do it, but that is way over simplified.

1cheater · Jul 9, 2003

There are some simple answers, if you tilt, leave and go scout another table, that is if you can calm down.

I always scout a table for atleast an hour or 2 before I even consider sitting. If there are to many good players at the table, or to much BS, I don't sit, I move on to another table. Now I understand this takes time and patience, but in the long hawl poker is a game of patience, if you don't have it, U will lose.

Another thing, if I'm at a great table and a moron sits and get's me pissed, I just say to my self, in the long if I just play my game I will win and the fishy will lose; percentages are on the side of the better more patient player.

DarrylParsons · Jul 10, 2003

I just tighten up my starting requirements...I play no more than 10% of my starting hands (except the big blind and assuming a full table). This buys time and if you happen get pocket rockets in the meantime, being on tilt won't take too much away from your profit potential here.

theswami · Jul 10, 2003

I almost never get up. I try to focus on the fact that I recognize that I'm on tilt and make a conscious decision to play better. Like Darryl I also tighten up significantly once I realize I'm tilting and make the decision to stop doing it.

The strange part about being on tilt or having a bad run of cards is that people will jump into pots with you and raise you just because they see weakness. The bottom line is that the pobabilities have not changed yet people figure "hey he has bad "luck" so I'm going to beat him." At that point you have 6-7 people chasing you and someone will inevitably hit a draw to continue the run tilt causing beats.

Sodium Pentethol V · Jul 11, 2003

Well just dropped a couple hundred with AJ and I'm not much of a slow player,

board:

AJJ 2 2

If i had gotten beat by AA, no problems, but the guy held 22,

I left quickly, you guys that can stay and still play your "A" game deserve a medal.

SSI · Jul 11, 2003

i would have made a new door..

PatrickMcIrish · Jul 11, 2003

LOL!!

Swami - good point. When you are running bad they smell it. I've seen guys call and say "only because you're running bad". Sure enough they win the hand. That really helps someone's mental state already on tilt to begin with.