Whether you are a Texas Holdem Poker or Omaha poker player, everyone tilts. Tilt is simply an emotional reaction to a situation where you feel frustrated, angry, or upset. When on tilt, players make suboptimal decisions that often cost them money.
Here are 15 tips to help you avoid playing on tilt:
1. Understand what causes you to tilt.
To avoid playing poker or online poker on tilt, you first need to be aware of what causes you to tilt in the first place. Is it when you make a bad beat? Is it when someone calls your bluff? Or is it something else entirely? Once you know what causes you to tilt, you can begin to avoid those situations.
2. Don’t play when you are angry or upset.
If you are feeling emotional, it is best to just take a break from playing poker altogether. It’s challenging to make good decisions when angry or upset, so it’s best to avoid the situation entirely.
3. Take breaks often.
If you feel frustrated during a poker game, it’s essential to take a break. Get up, grab a drink, or just step away from the table for a few minutes. Doing this will help you clear your head and come back fresh.
4. Don’t play while you are in a bad mood.
Just like it’s not a good idea to play when you are angry or upset, it’s also not a good idea to play when you are in a generally bad mood. If you aren’t feeling happy or positive, you are more likely to make poor decisions that can lead to tilt.
5. Avoid alcohol.
While it may seem like drinking can help you relax, alcohol impairs your decision-making abilities. This state can lead to you making bad decisions that cost you money and ultimately lead to tilt.
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6. Don’t play when you are tired.
Like being in a bad mood, playing when you are tired can lead to poor decision-making. If you feel sleepy, it’s best to call it a night and come back fresh tomorrow.
7. Set limits for yourself.
Before you even sit down to play poker, set some limits for yourself. Decide how much poker chips or money you are willing to lose, and stick to it. Doing this will help prevent you from chasing losses and tilting.
8. Take your time.
When you are on tilt, you often make rash decisions without thinking them through. If you feel yourself getting to that point, take a deep breath and take your time before making any moves.
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9. Stick to your game plan.
When you learn how to play poker well, you usually learn to practice to have a good game plan. Once you have a great game plan, the challenge is how to stick to it. Don’t let tilting cause you to abandon what has been working for you.
10. Don’t play higher than your bankroll allows.
This tip is similar to setting limits for yourself, but it’s important enough to merit its tip. Playing higher than your bankroll allows is a surefire way to go broke quickly.
11. Be aware of the table image you are projecting.
If you are feeling emotional, it will likely show in your body language and how you play. Be aware of this and try to project a calm and confident image.
12. Don’t play too many hands.
Playing too many hands is often a sign that you are tilting. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s best to just sit out for a few hands and reassess the situation.
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13. Don’t play when you have an edge.
If you have a significant edge over the other players at the table, there is no need to take unnecessary risks. Play it safe and wait for a better spot to make your move.
14. Keep your ego in check.
One of the main reasons people tilt is because of their ego. They get too wrapped up trying to prove something or win back what they’ve lost. It’s essential to keep your ego in check and not let it get the best of you.
15. Focus on making good decisions, not on winning or losing.
If you can focus on making good decisions, the wins and losses will care for themselves. Don’t worry about winning or losing. Just focus on playing your best game.
By following these tips, you can avoid playing poker on tilt and improve your overall results. Just remember that it takes practice and discipline to stick to them. GGPoker, the world’s largest poker room, offers a fun and safe place to play and enhance your poker skills. Sign up now and grab that exciting opportunity to learn and play with different types of players around the world. So relax, enjoy yourself, and who knows, you might end up winning some money along the way.
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