Poker Tilting - When Am I On Tilt?

Tilt is at the root of a large portion of many poker players’ losses. It can be subtle or it can be blatantly obvious. While tilt can cause all types of problems, there are ways to help lighten the blow, or maybe even wipe out tilt from your game entirely. It is virtually impossible for most people to stop from tilting altogether, however, so the best alternative is to learn how to work around it. It can be hard to identify when you are tilting, but it can be even more of a challenge to try and determine how to stop tilting.

When are you tilting?

The most frequent scenario in which tilt is initiated would be after the loss of a big hand. Usually this loss will have been due to you getting unlucky, though a bad play will make many players just as angry. The tilt from an unlucky hand is usually not going to last as long as long as the tilt from a bad play. The reasons for this are obvious. Unlucky hands should be easier to get over as eventually most players will realize that it wasn’t their fault and that there was nothing they could do about it. No reason to stay angry over something out of your control. A little immediate anger is fine, but staying angry is nonsensical. A bad play is something that should make you angry.

With all of the uncontrollable aspects in the game of poker, there is no need to throw anymore into the mix. A bad play is doing just this. In the moment you may not realize that you are making a terrible play, but when you reflect upon what you just did it might make you increasingly angry. While tilt induced by bad play is much more understandable, there is no reason to let it stand in your way.

Controlling tilt

Tilt will not be stopped in and of itself without much time and practice, so the best way to alleviate it is to simply quit. By quitting you will disallow yourself the opportunity to waste money on hands that you play just because you are angry. Some players like to have punching bags near their computer so that they can simply take out their frustrations without losing any money. You could always throw your computer, but that wouldn’t exactly be cost effective.

Another way to deaden the effects of tilt is through moving down in limits or lowering the number of tables that you are playing. By moving down in limits you will be playing against weaker opponents who will help you in gaining confidence back. Even if you are still on tilt you will be losing money at a much slower pace. If you decide to instead just cut back on the amount of tables you are playing you will be able to regain some focus. Six tables provide enough distractions when you are not on tilt, playing six tables while angry is a recipe for disaster.

Summary of tilt control

If you are a new player with no experience managing your tilt, it is in your best interest to simply take breaks when you begin to get angry.

If you are an advanced player who has experienced tilt many times before, it is OK to simply scale back on your play, either by stepping down in limits or cutting down on the amount of tables you are playing.