What do you do when you're on tilt?

JAAMEZz said:

Take a break, watch some funny cat videos and focus on the basics. Variance is a bitch but will come around

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Funny dogs and babys videos works too

stay focused, don't think about losing and continue your game. When the losing streak comes, just take a break for the day

what to do when on tilt.

When you are on tilt the best thing to do is step back take a deep breath and realize that shit happens and there is nothing you can do about it then get back to to table and play like you always play

Take a brake.

I try not to play at all, at least a day, but it rarely happens to me. Basically, I lose most of my money, but every day I try to control my emotions and not panic and disappointment.

When I am on tilt, unfortunately, I always make bad things and I haven't found a way to stop. The conclusion is that I always lose everything.I have tried many things to prevent me from being tilted and overall it is like your body is itching and you can't scratch it.

headbutting a bullet

axel142 said:

headbutting a bullet

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I think that would solve it but it is a bit extreme haha

Love this topic

When I'm on tilt or about to go on tilt I do as much as I can to get into a relaxed state. In my view tilt is caused by tension buildup that we are unable to release.

Quick fixes include
-Deep breathing
-Intentionally relaxing muscles
-Getting up and walking around
-Shaking things out
-Stretching
-Putting things into perspective
-Engaging gratitude/thankfulness
-Closing my eyes and counting to 10

All these things help to go from a highly focused, highly active, highly stressed state, to one that is much more calm, centered and relaxed. As I get into this state I realize that it's ok to miss a hand, to take a 5 minute break, to disconnect for a moment so that I can digest the experiences which are overwhelming me and making me feel uneasy. Once the processing is done then I can return with a fresh slate ready to play my best poker again

For longer term solutions I made this video
And for really long term work, I invest time with a therapist to unravel the deeply routed issues that are causing subtle tilt on a deep level. Combining this process with a health active lifestyle helps me to move all the old energies thru that make it easier for me to tilt, and I'm finding day by day, month by month, year by year I become much less affected by anything that happens on the poker table.

A good question to ask when feelings of tilt arise is "why does this bother me so much" and that will start you on a good process to finding the root cause

Also highly recommend Jared Tendler's "The Mental Game of Poker" it's an amazing book for tilt issues, I read it back in 2013 and it helped me a ton!

Evan Jarvis said:

Love this topic

When I'm on tilt or about to go on tilt I do as much as I can to get into a relaxed state. In my view tilt is caused by tension buildup that we are unable to release.

Quick fixes include
-Deep breathing
-Intentionally relaxing muscles
-Getting up and walking around
-Shaking things out
-Stretching
-Putting things into perspective
-Engaging gratitude/thankfulness
-Closing my eyes and counting to 10

All these things help to go from a highly focused, highly active, highly stressed state, to one that is much more calm, centered and relaxed. As I get into this state I realize that it's ok to miss a hand, to take a 5 minute break, to disconnect for a moment so that I can digest the experiences which are overwhelming me and making me feel uneasy. Once the processing is done then I can return with a fresh slate ready to play my best poker again

For longer term solutions I made this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of-owVCW6kI

And for really long term work, I invest time with a therapist to unravel the deeply routed issues that are causing subtle tilt on a deep level. Combining this process with a health active lifestyle helps me to move all the old energies thru that make it easier for me to tilt, and I'm finding day by day, month by month, year by year I become much less affected by anything that happens on the poker table.

A good question to ask when feelings of tilt arise is "why does this bother me so much" and that will start you on a good process to finding the root cause

Also highly recommend Jared Tendler's "The Mental Game of Poker" it's an amazing book for tilt issues, I read it back in 2013 and it helped me a ton!

Click to expand...

why does this bother me so much? That is really a good question. I think that many times the win or lose in the game is directly related to the self-esteem and the perception we have of life in general (I am a winner or a loser)

Exactly! And that's when you put it into perspective.

Poker because it has to do with money is an emotionally charged game, and it will bring up these deeper issues/perceptions.

Then when you put it in perspective and remember that poker itself is just a game and has lots of luck and chance involved, it gives you the chance to move beyond that, and then reflect on the deeper issue and heal your self-esteem stuff etc.

It's a fun process this personal growth, and I love how poker brings these things up and gives us the opportunity to look at them more closely

jadaminato said:

Hello people! I imagine that each player will have their own techniques or attitudes to overcome the tilt, and I think it would be interesting to share them.
I try to remind myself that it is a game and that losing or making mistakes is not the end of the world, but sometimes I have to stop playing a couple of days to get over it. And you, do you have any technique?

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You must be too busy to feel any tilt. That's the key.

I've studied my friends in our live poker community and some online players... 95% of poker players are on tilt right after they've seen their first 2 cards. This state of tilt grows with time spent at the table.Most of them control this state of mind with frames of their strategy. They make discipline folds, but feel anger and hate each time when they have to lose chips. Most of the players are acting like drug addicts... Poker player creates no useful product or service for the society, so the society can "applause" in just one case - if he will win money. That's why, in reality, playing poker for each individual is as useful as searching for gold coins at the streets.

In my case tilt is gone for several years... Last time I felt anger or happiness when I've lost/won some poker money - it was the time was when I was playing poker like a reg.

For past couple of years I usually draw 3d models and write programs during my evening poker sessions. And observe how my CNC machines work during daily poker sessions. So I'm not taking any loses and wins as serious as I used to, because poker is not my favorite passion anymore. I like to create things that I can sell, this is something that gives good bankroll, good feelings and no loses.

So, above examples show that multitasking is the key to prevent and fight against tilt. If you're not doing anything better than poker, then you must be playing 4-12 cash tables or 4-12 tourneys at the same time, then you won't have time for tilt, you'll have to play like machine, using strategy and money to grow... The other side of the coin is terrible... those who play just on table with their fingers crossed, praying to Santa Maria, Jesus or Allah are feeling tilt too often. And they're reducing their chances to win.

Well, mathematically... 100 year life is 24*365*100 = 876.000 hours.. that includes 30% sleep and so on, will you live to 100 years? how old you are now? So if you're playing just one table and it's micro limit, and average prize is less then average hourly salary rate in your country then it's like you're washing your life down in the toilet seat. And also you get negative emotions by doing it lol. Still wondering why you're tilting?

I usually just sit out for a good 10-15minutes and walk it off. Its hard for me to come back after noticing I'm on tilt because I feel like even my good cards AK whatev, are going to get crushed by something silly like 79 off.

I raise a cigarette smoke, I go in the kitchen I get water and coffee, I breathe deeply several times!

Hello.
Meditation is always helpful in coping with negative emotions. In my opinion, this is the most effective way for self-control and positive changes in life.

jadaminato said:

Hello people! I imagine that each player will have their own techniques or attitudes to overcome the tilt, and I think it would be interesting to share them.
I try to remind myself that it is a game and that losing or making mistakes is not the end of the world, but sometimes I have to stop playing a couple of days to get over it. And you, do you have any technique?

Click to expand...

I just say to myself that this is just a game and that in another game and on another day everything can be better and there may be a chance to win, so you don’t have to be very upset because of the game, but it happens that I take breaks in the game for 1 or 2-3 days to get together with new thoughts and see some moments where I made a lot of mistakes

My method for overcoming tilt - stop playing for some time, relax and have fun.

If I'm playing in the free rolls or any tourney. And I get some one likes to fish or plays like a donkey and they don't care what they have in there hand. And I raise 4 times the big blind
or i just raise a little and they re raise me and i turn around and shove and they call with a 3 5. and they don't care if it's suited or not.And I have them covered and they hit and my A K don't hit. I just say wow. but if that happens to me two or three hands in a row and i get knocked out of that tourney. I might play in another tourney if that same thing happens to me i some times say enough is enough i just get up away from the computer or i just shut down the poker client and play my online game which is not poker.

Realizing you’re on tilt is a very important first step that I think takes a lot of people far longer than it needs to! It’s usually the most damaging when someone’s on tilt and doesn’t take the time to fully process that they’re feeling that way that really gets them into trouble.

Also I think that it is one of those things where the old cliche that goes something like,”an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I do a lot in my life to try to prevent tilt as much as possible: getting enough sleep (hard when pregnant and have a toddler but I try lol), eating well, getting exercise—all those basic things make going on tilt while playing less likely.

More specifically to poker, the number one way I avoid tilt is by not looking at the runout of allins—I play stacked whenever possible, and usually play a lot of tables. Any time you can find a way to focus on just making the best decisions possible instead of on the run outs/short terms results, I think that’s great for your mental game and ability to avoid tilt. [emoji4]

What I do when I am tilting is go outside and smoke or go some other place not recommending smoke just if you thought that I was if you still feel tilted my advice is to take a nap and come back it or/and a shower so you feel allot better then you did before.

Ultimately you will need to root out
1. What made you tilt
2. Understand why you tilt when this event happens
3. Take preventive or corrective action...

I know this is not specific advise jadaminato but it is as specific as I can go since I don´t know you personally but this helps me when I go on tilt and take some time to relax. You can sort it out! see you around!

I also decrease the volume of play.

dgroes said:

Ultimately you will need to root out
1. What made you tilt
2. Understand why you tilt when this event happens
3. Take preventive or corrective action...

I know this is not specific advise jadaminato but it is as specific as I can go since I don´t know you personally but this helps me when I go on tilt and take some time to relax. You can sort it out! see you around!

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Thanks man! Everything I have read here serves me and I hope that for anyone who is in that situation.

I stop playing until it happens to me !!! I watch television ... I interact with my family !!!

jadaminato said:

Hello people! I imagine that each player will have their own techniques or attitudes to overcome the tilt, and I think it would be interesting to share them.
I try to remind myself that it is a game and that losing or making mistakes is not the end of the world, but sometimes I have to stop playing a couple of days to get over it. And you, do you have any technique?

Click to expand...

I generally get up from the table and step away. Maybe go outside and smoke a cigarette or get something to eat. Just something to readjust the mind frame. Try to tell yourself that the tilt was most likely due to a bad beat. And if you keep playing good poker players mistakes will pay off in the long run.