Help with tilt

Hi guys,

I've not been on for a while, but still knocking about on the felt (just on Stars these days).

Thing is, I'm having a problem with Tilt.
I've had one of those months where everything that can go wrong has gone wrong - not just missing my 50/50's, but missing my 80%ers and being called down by hands which simply shouldn't be involved in a pot.

The final straw came in a $5 rebuy this week when I was fairly deep after the rebuys ended, but ran my QQ into AA and lost just over half my stack. I shrugged it of but was dealt AK in the next hand, so shipped it in (18bb's) hoping someone would think I was steaming and call light.

They did.
3 4 suited won the hand and took me out of the game. I went ballistic and ended up losing my chat for an hour.

I used to be fairly happy go lucky at the tables. Sure I had a pop on occassion, but it was usually laughed off five minutes later.
I've just opened a new business and can't help thinking that the stress has somehow carried over to the tables.

This not rent money I'm playing with you must understand, just a few bucks which I CAN afford to lose.
I have no delusions of becoming a pro player, I play for enjoyment and usually lose a $50 deposit over a week or so anyway - that doesn't matter, I play for fun not riches.

So why can't I control my temper at the tables? I snap at someone for nothing (so I suffer a bad beat, yes ok - I'm only the 10,000th one today!). Then I go away feeling like crap that I've cussed someone out over a hand of cards.

Come on guys (& gals!), tips on dealing with short term tilt please? I want to enjoy the game again!

Thanks so much. Kev.

This may sound odd but here goes , I used to get angry at various things ,cards,drivers,those I felt to be idiots in whatever situation. I forced myself to pick whatever line I was near(even if it is long) and to drive in the slow lane. I used this time to watch others and find the humor or absurdity in what they were up to. It helped me calm down and let fools be fools without it ruining my day as they are going to be what they are no matter what I do or don't do.
As to the new venture best wishes as to it's success , many times in life we see changes around us only to find it is we that have changed so yes the stress may be a culprit here.

just tilt even more one day so that when you tilt the next day in your normal state it won't seem as bad.

There are no magic pills that instantly make you fully able to control your reactions to bad beats. However, in many cases, people can benefit from looking at how they cope with negative consequences in real life. It's likely that you are already capable of more self-control in worse situations. If you can figure out why and how, it may be possible to adapt this knowledge / ability to the poker table.

my way - a nice cigarette and a shot of jack

I've just had the run from hell, which tilted me and then I started playing too loose.

Sometimes you become semi-addicted and stale.

Stopped it by having a complete break.In the slots which I use for poker, I'm using my Exercycle and rowing machine and also taking hour long walks or runs.

Lost 5 kilos and feel great.I'm going to continue this till FTP returns in November.

Also using this break to study rather than play poker.

Mind and body are being re-freshened.

i found exercise helps alot it produces natural serotonin in your brain which is basic happy hormones so.... helps with anxiety so will therfore stop you losing your rag to a point....donk will be donks

I've usually had to step away for a bit to address it properly. For a few minutes if I'm still in an MTT/STT (if I can), or for a few hours if I got knocked out due to tilt.

Many people may object by alittle weed (or a beer if u drink) will take the edge off. And if u just opened a business Im sure your stress level is threw the roof. Just keep reminding yourself its only $5.

not to repeat candyman but I must. Immediately after reading your post I knew the answer. Some ppl are against it and if you are that's understandable. But, honest to God, marijuana is an immediate solution to tilt. I will swear by it. It is also preventitive. Ex. I start a session after smoking and when I take a bad beat the extent of my blowup is just one word. "Damn". Then I'm over it. Not sure about you personally but if this is an option your willing to venture, It works. I PROMISE.

Eightfold Path to Poker Enlightenment

/thread

Like some other person said, exercises is very important to avoid tilting because you can accept this type of situation better. When I suffer a bad beat in the cash games I try to just leave the table and shut down the computer because I know that my next few plays will be bad.