MultiTable Tilt – How Much Is It Costing You

Most poker players are aware of the concept of tilt. But few realize how much of an effect it actually has on their bottom line. Tilt is when you lose your composure at the poker table generally due to a bad beat or two. It can also occur when another player is getting under your skin. When you’re on tilt you make plays that you wouldn’t normally make. These plays cost money. They often cost a lot of money. If you’re playing live in a casino or card room you thankfully only lose control of one table at a time and may be able to calm down and regain your composure after only a few hands. But what if you’re playing online and you have six to 8 tables open at once?

Faster dealing and multi-tabling are a couple of advantages when playing online. It is possible to play ten or twenty times the amount of hands that you could using live play. When you’re playing your best this is a great way to make money, but it can cost you a fortune when you’re on tilt. In a live game, if it takes you ten minutes to calm down you will generally tilt for three or four hands. Sixty or more hands can be seen in ten minutes when playing online. Chances are if you are tilting for sixty hands you will make more mistakes and lose more money. Instead of gradually calming down when this happens poker players tend to become more agitated causing them to lose more money. The cycle is hard to stop once it starts because losing more money will cause you to stay on tilt or become worse and so on. How can these situations be identified?

Some degree of tilt is probably experienced when a normally tight solid player begins playing fast and loose. The number of hands lost in a row is another thing to look for. You may not realize you’re on tilt, but if you are spewing chips, you better do something fast to calm down and stop the bleeding.

Taking a walk is an easy answer. Taking a ten minute break can help you regain your focus. The problem is if you’re playing eight tables and you stand up every time you lose a big hand you’ll spend more time walking than playing. Tightening up your game and paying closer attention to every play you make is a more realistic answer. Talking to yourself may help. “Does it make sense to raise with Ace Four Suited under the gun?” If you answer no to your own question then fold the hand. It may also be wise to fold a few borderline hands instead of taking the chance. Talking to yourself may sound crazy but you may be surprised at how many mistakes you avoid by doing it.

Everyone has a different answer when it comes to tilting. Doing whatever works to calm you down so you can get back in the game is the solution. You need to do it quick if you are multi-tabling or your bankroll will take a serious hit.

The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker and receives Rakeback at Cake Poker from Rakeback Solution.

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