Sometimes it’s simply due to, perhaps, a string of bad luck, a distraction, or an annoyance. Other times, it may be a deliberate part of an opponent’s strategy in the form of, say, a taunt or insult. These are the sort of things that generally cause “tilt” in poker (and also in general life).
Tilt is simply a poker word to describe when our emotions get the better of us and, perhaps, cause us to “lose our cool” and make bad decisions. Needless to say, it usually doesn’t usually end well, and in poker, it can be potentially devastating.
Though it’s very much something that can affect each individual differently, there are some basic methods employed by poker players to avoid it.
Know The Game
Keeping calm and confident is key to avoiding tilt, and one of best ways of achieving this in poker is simply to know the game, its rules, the hands, bets and strategies, and so forth.
Practice makes perfect, as the old saying goes. Through regular practice you can both gain confidence and know-how, and also settle into a playing style that suites you.
Also, try and play against a variety of different people if you can. This way you can gain experience playing against different personality types and playing styles.
Know Yourself – Practice Your Poker Face.
“Tilt” can be many things, annoyance, anger, frustration, despair. Knowing yourself and what triggers you is key to being prepared for it, and therefore, potentially controlling or avoiding it. This is obviously easier said than done, but if you are attentive and pay attention to yourself while you play, you will inevitably learn.
Maintaining a “poker face” may seem like an old cliché, but the reality of poker is that your unchecked emotions can, and likely will, be noticed and used against you by your opponents. They will further attempt to cause and compound it to ensure that you lose.
It’s good to also just be aware of the factor of tilt. If you are in a particularly bad mood, for instance, consider taking a break from poker all together, at least until you feel better. Your wallet will likely thank you later.
Protect Your Bankroll
Knowing that your money is protected is another sure way of maintaining calm and confidence during play, and having discipline and good gambling habits is the best way to do this.
Set loss limits, take breaks, pace out your betting, and also, be aware of house edge.
House edge is the in-built statistical advantage that casino games have over players. It ensures that the house will always win back a certain percentage of bets, and has a cumulative effect over time. Effectively, this means that the longer you play, and the more frequently you bet, the more you will eventually lose.
Unlike most other https://onlinepokiesnz.co.nz/nzd-casinos/ games, skilled poker players can potentially reduce the house edge. Nonetheless, maintaining bankroll discipline is always a good way of keeping peace of mind, avoiding anxiety and despair, and therefore avoiding tilt.