How do you handle stress during the game?

MishkaZL · Feb 7, 2025

Gian Totaro said:
I often find it helpful to meditate or do breathing exercises to stay calm and focused. Or take a break if necessary. That works a lot for me to stay calm and play at my best. I read opinions, it doesn't have to be about poker either, a bit of everything. What strategy do you use?

Playing poker itself is not stressful for me, on the contrary, it's a positive experience. But the surrounding conditions, namely the war in my country, constant air raids 3-4 times a day, missile strikes, all together make me nervous. The only thing I can do is when I have the opportunity to go outdoors to the park and read my favourite books, it gives me optimism and stability.

ManOfSky · Jun 27, 2025

I focus on deep breathing, taking small breaks when possible, and reminding myself that variance is part of the game. Staying calm helps me make better decisions.

yuya · Jun 27, 2025

I’m going to stop for now and get some sleep.
That way I’ll feel refreshed and can get back to it later.

thwenth1983 · Jun 28, 2025

Good morning, everyone. I started playing poker in 2018, and even though I’m profitable and understand that bad beats are part of the game, I still get frustrated when I face consecutive bad beats.

It’s funny—almost every day, I lose multiple hands in a row where I was a preflop favorite more often than I win favorable sequences. I don’t know if this happens to other players, but for me, it’s practically a daily occurrence. In coin flips (50% odds), it feels like I lose more than I should. I only remember one single day where I won several all-ins in a row across different sites, but now losing back-to-back all-ins has become routine.

Because of this, I’ve stopped registering for MTTs.

gloria_marga · Jun 28, 2025

Watching TikTok helps me to clear my mind and get out of the anger caused by losing hands in poker.

bodil19982 · Jun 29, 2025

I understand that I did everything right and I try not to think about it.

fernandofcp · Aug 11, 2025

Knowing how to manage stress when it arises during a poker game is crucial. I try to set clear time and money limits. I take regular breaks and strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate exercise and rest. If I continue playing stressed, I'm usually certain I'll lose. I always need to remain calm and 100% focused during games.

pep12343 · Aug 11, 2025

Speaking of poker, it can be as difficult as it is important to stay calm after losing a tournament and not let that negative thinking affect future decisions in another tournament. To do this, I recommend a 5-minute break to regain the right mood.

nelomec · Aug 11, 2025

Gian Totaro said:
I often find it helpful to meditate or do breathing exercises to stay calm and focused. Or take a break if necessary. That works a lot for me to stay calm and play at my best. I read opinions, it doesn't have to be about poker either, a bit of everything. What strategy do you use?

I listen music or i watch anime to handle my stress.

successlaw · Aug 11, 2025

When I feel stressed I usually take a break for a walk or a gym. Also sometimes , I take 1 or 2 days off

Omar.Imrane · Aug 11, 2025

That’s a solid strategy! For me, I usually take a short break when I feel my brain turning into “poker mush” 🤯. A quick walk, a snack, or even just stretching does wonders. And of course, reviewing my hands later helps me figure out whether I played smart… or if I was just donating chips that day 😂.

mclay · Aug 11, 2025

R.Melnyk77 said:
I don't do any exercises or have any special preparation for the game. I stick to bankroll management, so any result, even a bad one, doesn't affect my mood or my confidence.

Even if you have the right bankroll management, and your bankroll is only enough to play freerolls, you may also get depressed.

Mazembe · Aug 11, 2025

Yepp Poker is a very stressful game to be honest, at one point you are ahead 95% to win and out of the blue this card come on the river and your are now a short stack or even out of the game. I believe it's important to always to keep a cool head, calm and take deep breaths in such situations, you have to understand that it's part of the game

s0ftdumps · Aug 11, 2025

enjoy the stress. it's what makes the game fun!

MAFNL16061986 · Aug 11, 2025

by meditation ans smoking sadly for the second mostly more hihihhi

lyki67 · Aug 11, 2025

I play hand by hand in a row best I can and try not to think about hands where I have make small or bigger mistakes.

Claudiunm · Aug 11, 2025

My way of preparing for stress during a game is to watch live games on Twitch or YouTube. Seeing absurd hands occur live makes me realize that having AA in your hand and losing on the river to 83o is part of the game. This is what allows poker to be a game where you bet money, while chess isn't. So when I play, I don't get upset in any situation.

RodrigoMartins · Aug 11, 2025

I completely agree — keeping a calm and focused mind is just as important as knowing the strategy. Personally, I like to take short breaks during long sessions, drink some water, and review my hands to reset my mindset. If I feel tilt coming, I step away from the table for a few minutes. Outside of poker, regular exercise and a consistent sleep schedule also help me stay sharp.

Fallenglory · Aug 12, 2025

Do anything AWAY from the computer. Make some coffee, walk the dog, work out a bit. Helps you reset and focus.

If that doesn't work I will end the session a.s.a.p.

wushibala · Aug 12, 2025

To be honest, I don't understand how you can be stressed by something you love doing

Stringy · Aug 12, 2025

when i don't handle it well i go all in and hpe for the best, if I win big i'm not stressed anymore. when I handle it well I usually just distract myself with something else and wait for a good time

moraeskvmi · Aug 12, 2025

It was difficult at first, but over time you get used to the fact that bads are part of the game, so relax and move on to the next action at the tables.

How do you handle stress during the game?

MishkaZL

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ManOfSky

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yuya

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thwenth1983

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gloria_marga

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bodil19982

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fernandofcp

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pep12343

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nelomec

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successlaw

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Omar.Imrane

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mclay

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Mazembe

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s0ftdumps

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MAFNL16061986

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lyki67

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Claudiunm

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RodrigoMartins

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wushibala

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Stringy

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