4 Ways You Can Avoid Poker Tilt

If you can consistently avoid poker tilt, you’re going to be a better poker player. It’s that simple.

Tilt is in your head. It’s effectively when your emotions take over and you start making decisions on the felt that you wouldn’t normally. In short, tilt is no good.

Of course, avoiding tilt is easier said than done. But we’re going to give you a few different ways that you can identify it, zero in and by-pass it before it becomes a problem.

1. Don’t start a game feeling tired, frustrated or emotional

If you’re not in a good frame of mind, it’s going to reflect on your ability to play poker. That’s a fact. So if you’re tired, annoyed, frustrated or overly emotional about anything in your life before you sit down at the table, do yourself a favour and simply don’t.

The worse form you’re in, the harder it’s going to be to think clearly about the game. And that means you’re going to make bad decisions. That’s no good for anyone.

2. Ask yourself if you need to take a break away after a bad beat to avoid poker tilt

Bad beats happen in poker all the time. Yes, it sucks, but it’s part of the game. Having said that, it can be deeply frustrating. And sometimes it can affect how you play your subsequent hands. Maybe you feel like you need to win back chips, or you’re due a visit from Lady Luck or you’re frustrated by a fellow player for pulling off an insane bluff.

If you find yourself annoyed, ignoring your pot odds and taking risky chances off the back of a bad beat, step away from the table. And yes, that’s if you’re playing online or in a bricks and mortar poker room. It could be easier with a cash game, sure. But the same is just as important if you’re playing a tournament or even multi-tabling.

Trust us, folding a few hands is going to lose you far less chips than playing when you’re in the grips of tilt.

3. Say no to intoxicating substances (yes, alcohol included) to avoid poker tilt

Playing poker while under the influence of alcohol or any mind-alterning substance is a REALLY bad idea. And it makes you way more susceptible to tilt and to making poor decisions in general.

So make sure you don’t have a few beers the next time you play online. Say no to drinks (even comp drinks!) at even the most luxurious casinos around the world. And definitely don’t join in when you’re friends are smoking wacky tobacky at a home game.

4. If you’re prone to the tilt, try avoidance techniques online

The tilt can strike players during online or offline sessions alike. But when you’re looking someone in the whites of their eyes, the pressure can build. And it’s harder to remember how to avoid poker tilt.

That’s why we’d recommend getting really good at avoiding tilt in online settings before you play in person. Take it slow, try it out at lower stakes tables. And see if you can reliably play without suffering from tilt.

One of our favourite spots to play online is bet365. There are so many different poker games and formats to choose from, plus lots of budget brackets whether you’re playing cash games, tournaments, PLO or hold’em. And you can also use this bonus code bet365 if you’re a new player too.