Mental Game in Poker – How Do You Control Tilt?

[babyrosejr]

Even strong players admit that emotions can sometimes take over after a bad beat or a long downswing.

What are your personal methods to control tilt at the tables?

Do you take breaks, reduce the number of tables, or use some kind of mindset training?

Do you think tilt is more dangerous online (because of volume and speed) or live (because of long sessions)?

 

[NSX_Amfe2nat]

Everyone has own methods. I sit at the tables only if mind is clear and i have no stress from real life.

 

[ch1r4q]

Personally, I take short breaks, drop table count, and focus on breathing to reset. Mindset work off the tables helps too. For me, tilt feels more dangerous online due to speed and volume, it’s easier to spiral before you realize it.

 

[john_entony]

TILT doesn't affect me. I've played too many tables to react to failures. Bad beats are part of the game and should be accepted as inevitable. We can't win all the time. But we must learn to avoid bad beats. How? It takes a long time to learn.

 

[Dimidrol2]

I haven't played for three months, and today I sat down and it didn't end. I'm honestly tired of this struggle, and I'd rather do something useful.

 

[Roller]

Controlling tilt in poker is all about awareness and discipline. I start by recognizing the signs—racing thoughts, frustration after a bad beat—and taking a step back before emotions take over. Deep breathing and short breaks help reset my mindset. I also remind myself of the long-term perspective: variance is part of the game, and one hand doesn’t define my results. Finally, I stick to a routine—proper bankroll management, clear session goals, and sometimes even meditation—to stay calm, focused, and make decisions based on logic, not emotion.

 

[TheniT]

You should always be aware that variance is a part of poker, and bad beats will happen. So, knowing this, just play your best game, and the results will come.

 

[black and]

I am a disciplined player and adhere to bankroll management. I always, literally always, adhere to bankroll management, and this ensures that my emotions remain under control. As a result, tilt is not a threat to me. Over the past two years, I have never spent a cent more than I could afford.

 

[BillyR23]

Mental Game in Poker – How Do You Control Tilt?

IMO it depends on each player and it's tough to give specific advice that will be useful for everyone... In my case, to improve my mental poker game(especially to fix my tilt problem - I've broken too many mouses and it started to affect my poker bankroll lol), I've read The mental game of poker 1&2 by Jared Tendler and tried to see as many YT videos from known poker pros about this part of the poker game... But eventually you'll have tough results that will affect you and in this situations when I feel like it's tough for me to bring close to my A game at the tables - I take a break* this is another thing that works well in my case- taking short breaks often- to not only deal with tilt but also to not feel burnout because of playing too much poker...

 

[gloria_marga]

When I'm alone, listening to music helps me a lot. But when I'm with my son, I like him to be by my side and we talk.
In addition, during breaks, I usually lie down to rest my body.

 

[successlaw]

I usually take a break when I feel tilted.
Sometimes I go for a walk or to gym and then come back to tables

 

[85champ07]

As much as I like to admit that I can control tilt I think, more often, tilt controls me. I've been on a winning streak for over a week at a time where my mindset is very calm and patient and controlled and I don't feel like poker is a task that overloads my brain. And then for some uncontrolled reason I allow my ego and tactics to feel more biased to the winning, or I'm feeling rushed and tempted to see action more often. Maybe in a desperate attempt to add another zero to my bankroll. I can relate this to an unconscious self sabotage. Sometimes the sabotage can come in stages. Sometimes, if I'm playing very good at the start of a tournament by the end I'm either just surviving or I'm out before the money. Usually because I made one single bad play that went against how I was playing at the beginning. These judgment calls can affect how you're thinking progresses and you need to recognize it. To self-correct is the hardest part. One thing to remember is to be confident in your plays and if sense any doubt it is often meant to be dangerous.