just some tilt issues

Well, Im pretty tilted. So maybe this is a steaming post.
But here are my issues right now:

I use grind so bad at the 10nl, and i would be happy with that. I thought hey, i won 30$ today and i would goto sleep happy as ever. Now tonight I'm playing 50nl at kiwipoker (crappy bonus, but horrible player base), i was up 130+ now im down to +50 and now im so pissed that i lost 80~ in less than an hr on my TPTK getting murdered by set (they were both half stacked, i jsut can't get away on a blank board).


I'm so fixated on the money, and winning. That is if i don't have a consistant steady winning I feel like am not productive, utilitzing my skill on hunting down the fishes.


Any thoughts or advice?

Still tilty, thats all.

Well, the problem is that it's always going to be like this, and the better you get, the more "unfair" your losses are going to be. Are you playing within your bankroll (i.e. do you have at least $1,000 behind you)? Are you playing drunk or tired or in a bad mood?

Poker isn't about "consistent steady winning" IN THE SHORT TERM. Are you able to view it in the long term where it does more or less become that?

Finally, more than half of all poker players lose money. There's no law that says that you are not one of them. So if you're up at all, consider yourself a half-decent player and be aware that even the best get out-lucked and, occasionally, out-played.

Here's how I fight tilt.

1) I reassure myself that I played the hand correctly. If I didn't play the hand correctly, I take it in stride knowing I won't make the same mistake again.

2) I play short sessions. 2 hours or so. If I lose a stack with really bad play, I'm done. If I get a bad beat, I play on.

3) I play lots of tables. When you multitable, swings don't take as long, by the time you've been steaming about that 2 outer you just took, you are already stacking some fish who can't let go of TPBK.

4) I savor each bad beat I deal to others, kinda like sweet revenge.

Typically if I find myself losing my proper mental state and I am out of sorts I like to get a good change of pace going. For example, if I was playing NL ring games and this happened, I would stop and play in a tourny. Even if it was for a dollar, just to change the pace and have some fun with it.

Originally Posted by JB25163

Typically if I find myself losing my proper mental state and I am out of sorts I like to get a good change of pace going. For example, if I was playing NL ring games and this happened, I would stop and play in a tourny. Even if it was for a dollar, just to change the pace and have some fun with it.

Other than taking a break from play, I too just switch to a $5 SnG or freeroll tourney. In the case of the former, I find myself ITM more often than not because of my "tilt" demeanor. I just play aggressively thinking these guys are going to pay for my losses in the ring game. Granted, nothing outrageously stupid but far more aggressive than my usual style.

The freerolls (available most nights at Hollywood Poker) are a great diversion. Sure I burn a couple of hours but again find myself ITM about 35% of the time. It may be a small ($8-$24) win but I am able to forget why I tilted at the ring tables.

I'll add my two pence worth, for I've been battling going on tilt for a week or so now, since I've been trying -- and failing -- to move up to $25 NL.

In fact, I haven't updated my signature, but I'm down to 486 bucks as of a moment ago.

It's taken me a long, long time to get to this point of modest control, by the way.

This morning, I made two calls against my better judgement, and that cost me a stack and a bit in total. Then, I calmed down, realising it was my stupid mistake.

I played on. Then I seem to have gotten lucky. My A5 from the BB flops a set of 5's. I play it quiet, then raise the turn. One of my most hated rivals calls. Then the river comes. He raises a modest amount and I call. Moron has scored a straight holding 74 off. That really sends me to the moon. I have been seeing this all the time since I've moved up, and I am ready to put my fist through the wall. But what do I do?

I click the x at the top of each poker window I have open. Cancel, cancel, cancel, cancel. I have learned that quitting immediately is the most important thing. Just give it up. Fold all and leave.

Now I'm going to walk to work (about 3 miles) to settle myself down even more. Then I'll run home from work for even more stress relief. By evening, I hope to be ready to play again; at the $10 tables. Yes, I'm a beaten man in one sense, but stepping down is the only way to recover, I feel.

This is a common enough idea. Quit, do something else, something to really divert your attention, preferably something physical. For me it's usually going outside and walking, running, cooking or even cleaning house. That's the short term immediate first aid.

When you go back to play, if you're still thinking about that bad beat or stupid call, then you are not ready to play. At least not ready to play your regular game. I may try something like a sit n' go or even something radical like Omaha hi lo. Something where you are maybe playing more for fun and the novelty rather than thinking you're on your way to a new career.

It's devasting to go on tilt, but as long as you don't let it eat away a ridiculous amount of your 'roll you will recover.

I hope so, anyhow.

I don't want to play $10 for the rest of my career!

Here's how I fight tilt.

1) I reassure myself that I played the hand correctly. If I didn't play the hand correctly, I take it in stride knowing I won't make the same mistake again.

2) I play short sessions. 2 hours or so. If I lose a stack with really bad play, I'm done. If I get a bad beat, I play on.

3) I play lots of tables. When you multitable, swings don't take as long, by the time you've been steaming about that 2 outer you just took, you are already stacking some fish who can't let go of TPBK.

4) I savor each bad beat I deal to others, kinda like sweet revenge.
Here's how I fight tilt.

1) I reassure myself that I played the hand correctly. If I didn't play the hand correctly, I take it in stride knowing I won't make the same mistake again.

2) I play short sessions. 2 hours or so. If I lose a stack with really bad play, I'm done. If I get a bad beat, I play on.

3) I play lots of tables. When you multitable, swings don't take as long, by the time you've been steaming about that 2 outer you just took, you are already stacking some fish who can't let go of TPBK.

4) I savor each bad beat I deal to others, kinda like sweet revenge.

Thanks for the advise, really solid ones. I really respect you renton. Oh you mr. grinder. You got that drive to develope your game.

I just dropped 200$ after going good for about a week building (up +350 before tonight) and I jsut KNOW I made some horrible plays...

calling down the maded flush on river, calling all in with no pot odds with top pair K kicker, he had tptk.

And ya, I should only play poker when i am phsycially and mentally in the best shape. Playing under false conditions is sooOo -EV.

Originally Posted by wc3x_tester

And ya, I should only play poker when i am phsycially and mentally in the best shape. Playing under false conditions is sooOo -EV.

I don't think this is easy though. Trying to correctly identify your mental state at any given time is HARD, yet very profitable if you are capable of doing so. Not just for poker, but for everything. My studies, finances, womanizing (or getting that one "special girl"), general responsibilities etc could all benefit from me being able to identify when I am able to perform my best, and when I am not. I just wanted to say you're not alone if you're having trouble getting this right.