| When you’re
on a tilt, you lose your sense of reason and let your emotions take
full control of your mind.
When this happens in a game of poker, it generally spells doom
for the player. Lesson to be learned: Don’t let it last.
I shan’t tell you not to let it happen because being on
a tilt is natural. It’s a phase that just about every poker
player goes through, good or bad, rounder or calling station, mouse
or maniac. But the important thing to keep in mind is when on a
tilt, don’t let it last. And as much as possible, limit these
episodes by learning to handle them.
There are a lot of downsides when you’re on a tilt. First,
you tend to overestimate or underestimate your hands because it’s
what your “gut instincts” is telling you to do. Now,
I’m not saying that instincts are always wrong but a good
player should know when it’s better to listen to logic than
intuition. Sometimes, the situation warrants you to fold and a
good poker player knows when this time has come and would immediately
do so instead of fighting the inevitable.
Poker is also a game of bluffing and when you’re on a tilt,
chances are that you won’t be able to bluff as effectively
as you normally could. If this happens, opponents would be able
to correctly guess the hand you’re holding and where would
that leave you then?
Thirdly, being on a tilt makes you rely more heavily on luck than
what’s usual. Sometimes, your emotions would force you to
chase rainbows or build sandcastles in the air. Remember, no matter
how poker seems to be a game of coincidence, a winning hand is
still reached by careful observation, analysis and calculation.
Having luck on your side is good but relying on it too heavily
isn’t.
Getting out of a tilt can be achieved in several ways.
Walk down memory lane and recall other similar situations in the
past where you were once again on a tilt and it led you to abject
misery. Don’t do the same thing you did in the past.
Sit out a couple of hands. Leave the table for a while and wait
for your emotions to settle down until you’re once again
able to do things calmly. Poker is not like love where the heart
is rewarded and not the head.
Lastly, think positive. If you’re unable to leave the table
even for a short while, resort to recalling happy memories. It
will be a good way to calm your emotions and may even lead you
to a winning hand.
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