Tilt is a poker term that refers to player’s state of confusion. Being on a tilt is usually defined by anger, depression or frustrations. Usually players who suffered from bad beat, annoying players in the field or mere bad luck experience poker tilt on the table.
When a player is on a tilt, they tend to play loosely but aggressively. This is because they tend to run after the pot and often, this proposition results to loosing. Players on a tilt usually loose more than they are ready for.
Being on a tilt may a result of many factors. This happens not just to players on a brick and mortar poker rooms but likewise online. We will discuss the situations leading to tilt herewith for clarity.
Here are some examples that make a player on a tilt.
• Folding to a bluff with your superior hand. Tight aggressive players usually play less hand. Thus, when they encounter a bluff and fold to it, frustration sinks in. They tend to make unnecessary decision on the table because of the bluff.
• If a favorite to win hand looses on an inferior hand after a miracle card surfaced. This condition is otherwise known as bad beat. This usually angers a favorite player when he was beaten because of this. Likewise, because there is huge prize for a bad beat, many players resent this condition.
• Online, a player can go on a tilt as well. When he wrongly clicked the all-in button when his intention was truly to fold will make a player loose control.
• Tilt also happens to an online player when his superior hand and the big pot were lost due to internet connection errors.
• Making bad play and realizing it afterwards is a sure way to go on tilt because of frustration.
Additionally, being intoxicated on the table may cause you to make unusual decisions such as betting on an inferior hand often.
Being on a tilt makes a player make decisions he would not have if he were in his right frame of mind. Thus, if you feel that you are starting to be on a tilt, the advice below can be useful.
Please take note as well that if others on the table are on tilt, you may have to play your card well to make some cleaning up on the table. We will discuss as well how to recognize players who are on a tilt below.
How to avoid being on a tilt
If you feel that you are making unusual decisions on the poker table, you have to assess your condition.
Look at the situation that happens before you make those unusual decisions. We have discussed above some reasons why players can go on a tilt and if you see any of those happened to you, then, you may have to manage you feeling well.
If you happen to be on a tilt, it may help to leave the table and take a walk. Taking a walk and getting some air may help to normalize your feeling. You can go back to the table when you feel you are alright.
Likewise, it may help to drink water to loosen up. Thinking that you are not playing to win but playing to have fun, will help you avoid frustration after a bad beat.
Another way to avoid loosing because you are on a tilt, is to avoid alcoholic drinks when you play poker.
Playing poker needs your attention and your focus, if you take alcoholic beverages when you play poker, the alcohol may cloud your attention. You should about this if you do not want to loose a lot of money.
How to recognize players on a tilt
The way you asses your condition is the same way you have to assess your opponents.
If you see players play differently as they used to, then it is possible that this player is going on a tilt.
If you see that your online opponent unnecessarily clicks on bet and raise without some thoughts, assess the previous plays if he has loosed some good amount. If you see this pattern of betting, it is possible that the player is going on a tilt.
While you may feel that it is unfair to take advantage of his situation, always remember that if you are on a tilt, it is possible that this player will take advantage of you.
Likewise, the game of poker involves deception, winning strategy and some ounce of luck, if you win hands over a player on a tilt, then you cannot do anything about it. Just play your game well and you will surely win some hands along the way.
It is the tilted player’s decision to go for it or leave the table, not yours.
Next, let us discuss about poker players’ tells.
