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(6 votes) 
July 12, 2012
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So, I've had a run of bad suckouts lately made worse by the villains being dbags about it. I know it happens to everyone but it feels like since I've been back on internet poker the toll it takes on my mental game is exponentially worse. This may be because I'm playing more and it may be the d-bag attitude that goes with keyboard courage.
I have no illusions about this phenomenon. As I said I know it happens to everyone and I know I've been on the right side of an occasional suckout. Sometimes you have to give yourself a chance to be lucky-or is that misguided thinking?
What techniques do you use to get over it right away and influence your decision making in the future. I know that's what is happening to me and it exacerbates the tilt feeling. I work hard on my game, I read and study poker books, I'm a member here and I listen to the podcasts-but all of that flies right out the window–I feel like my game isn't improving at all, why do I bother etc–all thoughts that demonstrate my immaturity and attachment to outcomes and results.
Thanks for any input-sorry if this is a worn out topic. I'm the FNG here
"…if he fails, he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."-Teddy Roosevelt
October 6, 2010
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One simple thing that can help is always having the info tab up instead of the chat box. Some people say it might make you miss info but if it stops you tilting then it’s a good thing
Another thing is to make sure you are properly bankrolled. If you are, then busting an individual tourney shouldn’t matter too much. But if you are under rolled you will tilt. That’s me experience anyway
July 9, 2012
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bennymacca said:
One simple thing that can help is always having the info tab up instead of the chat box.
June 19, 2012
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Swings and suckouts can be pretty frustraiting but honestly after a while you dont even think about it much. I think for me personally it was just a matter of time before I started to become numb to the beats.
I do also have the info tab up and rarely have the chat window open or get in the chat box, I try and make sure I have a clear mind when I start and am not trying to sort out other things while playing.
I think also being in calls or conversations like on skype where people are talking about running bad or badbeats can quickly change my mood so try to avoid joining in when playing and of course posting pointless beat hands.
I think the main thing for me though is just time and getting used to it and you just accept the vairiance better.
October 6, 2010
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Good point about experience, one you get runner runnered or 1 outered 20 times, the 21st time is kinda meh
July 7, 2012
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I too dont use the chat window – actually I was banned from using it on one site for blowing up at a Dbag or two after similar experiences, and it was the best thing ever. Now I very rarely use chat or have it displayed whilst in a hand / playing. Also, I bought a punch bag and some gloves, get out the frustration and a workout all in one, fantastic. Saved me a furtune on screens and mice as well lol
June 1, 2012
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I've thought about this for quite some time. I'm going to remove player chat, I understand that tilt information can be obtained by assessing someones reaction to a particular situation and you may be able to capitalize on that. However, this may also be easily seen through their play even in the next hand (overbets, tilt 3bets, station-calling tendencies they didn't possess before etc.). I have stated many times to other players that I really don't tilt but I will say now that I was not being honest. Tilting even the slightest bit can cause you to commit chip-suicide and you may not even realize it at the time. Your thinking is skewed because you were not focused to your full potential. It is imperative that you understand how bad variance can be in tournaments if you are going to play them.
In order to improve your reaction to tilt-inducing hands I recommend walking away from the computer for a few seconds and doing a few pushups (punching bag is a good idea too) or finding it in yourself recall there are percentages in each hand. Even if they have 2 outs they are going to hit them and it might be at a crucial time in a tournament. Having other tournaments up can also improve this, try and maintain focus on several tournaments to build stacks so losing one of them isn't as big of a deal. I understand if this is a Sunday Major or some tournament you have dreamt of winning this is going to be hard, but percentages do not change regardless of what tourney you are in. If you study vids, I mean take serious notes on hands, review and maintain your focus on each hand to learn even more about it than the pros are stating and review your HHs very objectively you may find your game improving faster than you imagined. Also, work on your early to midgame, learn to build big stacks more often so not only can you afford these beats you will have more chances to make these types of runs.
The biggest thing is just working on your game day in and day out. Try new lines, whether in a tournament or in your head while you are on your evening jog. There is a reason the pros have made good money and a lot of it comes from focus, creativity, awareness, practice, and the ability to understand even if they make it to the final two tables of a huge tournament they may still finish 13th. There is no perfect cure to your syndrome, but I promise you working hard outside of the game will help you improve faster and more efficiently than just firing up tourneys every night and occasionally listening to a podcast or watching videos. I am only recently practicing many of these aspects, but I'm already seeing monumental improvements in my mental game and play. I could go on all night but I'm exhausted, I hope this helps at least one person.
June 1, 2012
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Why is it recognizing me as having only one post?
July 13, 2012
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DJRog00 said:
I've thought about this for quite some time. I'm going to remove player chat, I understand that tilt information can be obtained by assessing someones reaction to a particular situation and you may be able to capitalize on that. However, this may also be easily seen through their play even in the next hand (overbets, tilt 3bets, station-calling tendencies they didn't possess before etc.). I have stated many times to other players that I really don't tilt but I will say now that I was not being honest. Tilting even the slightest bit can cause you to commit chip-suicide and you may not even realize it at the time. Your thinking is skewed because you were not focused to your full potential. It is imperative that you understand how bad variance can be in tournaments if you are going to play them.
In order to improve your reaction to tilt-inducing hands I recommend walking away from the computer for a few seconds and doing a few pushups (punching bag is a good idea too) or finding it in yourself recall there are percentages in each hand. Even if they have 2 outs they are going to hit them and it might be at a crucial time in a tournament. Having other tournaments up can also improve this, try and maintain focus on several tournaments to build stacks so losing one of them isn't as big of a deal. I understand if this is a Sunday Major or some tournament you have dreamt of winning this is going to be hard, but percentages do not change regardless of what tourney you are in. If you study vids, I mean take serious notes on hands, review and maintain your focus on each hand to learn even more about it than the pros are stating and review your HHs very objectively you may find your game improving faster than you imagined. Also, work on your early to midgame, learn to build big stacks more often so not only can you afford these beats you will have more chances to make these types of runs.
The biggest thing is just working on your game day in and day out. Try new lines, whether in a tournament or in your head while you are on your evening jog. There is a reason the pros have made good money and a lot of it comes from focus, creativity, awareness, practice, and the ability to understand even if they make it to the final two tables of a huge tournament they may still finish 13th. There is no perfect cure to your syndrome, but I promise you working hard outside of the game will help you improve faster and more efficiently than just firing up tourneys every night and occasionally listening to a podcast or watching videos. I am only recently practicing many of these aspects, but I'm already seeing monumental improvements in my mental game and play. I could go on all night but I'm exhausted, I hope this helps at least one person.
Such a great post…cant even begin to adequately express how good. Will be re-reading in the future I can assume. Thanks DJRog
June 1, 2012
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Thanks man, it's very nice to hear that. I will try to keep them coming.
July 7, 2012
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“If you are playing well and getting it in ahead most of the time, you will be sucked out on more and suck out less” – not sure if this is the exact quote but it is something Mike Leah said in one of his posts in Ask the Pros. Worth having in the back of your mind when going through one of these horrible swings. You have done all you can (and what you were trying to achieve) when you get someone to put their chips in way behind, the rest is out of your hands.
August 27, 2012
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I bought on audio book and listened to it driving to work for a solid month. I can't recommend it enough. He explains the psycology of tilt in detail and gives some mental tools to manage your reaction. Definitely worth a look. Cheaper than buying new puters too.
May 30, 2012
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. Worry about what you can control and less on What you can’t. Great post djrog00. Definate go back and re-read material.
August 14, 2012
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Paddy Lemon said:
I bought on audio book and listened to it driving to work for a solid month. I can't recommend it enough. He explains the psycology of tilt in detail and gives some mental tools to manage your reaction. Definitely worth a look. Cheaper than buying new puters too.
Great book! I have read this book on my way to play WSOP event#56 NLHE this year and finished 142nd out of 2798 players. Control emotion is the most important part of this game and that needs lots of pratice.
April 16, 2013
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I think that being too results oriented can influence the amount people tilt. If your not confident in your ability off the table, it can slip into the back of your mind after times of excessive variance or pressure, at the table. One thing that could help is reviewing your play after sessions based on how well you think you played and how well you controlled your tilt instead of simply thinking, “I lost money – I played bad”. Instead you could give yourself a mark out of 10 for how well you think you played and controlled tilt and if those marks are high after each session then just grind it out and the results will come.
One tip that has helped me loads is simply taking a deep breath before any big decision. I found that this helps clear the fog that can happen in awkward turn or river situation. I find I tilt the most when I rush decisions and make decisions I instantly regret.
Dont rush decisions, breathe more, take your time, tilt less. However, its easier said than done.
September 27, 2012
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September 27, 2012
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Do some quick maths or count to a hundred in sevens or something. Its all about changing your brains thinking from the emotional to the logical side. We have two sides of the brain, one side is used for each. Just Google the Limbic system if you don't believe me. But you cant use both sides at once. Its why you do irrational things when you're angry or depressed If you want to see it action, the next time you have an argument and your wife or gf is in a mad rage and about to stab you in the eye with a blunt fork, don't say something lame like "But I didn't know she was your sister". Try shouting "Whats the square root of 562?" or "What are seven eights?" etc... I cant promise you'll be forgiven, but it'll probably save your eyesight. With any luck she'll come to her senses and you'll get a swift kick where it hurts instead.
May 9, 2013
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sometimes the suckout can be a result of bad play
ex.. not betting enough on the turn (trying to slow play) ,over valuing top pair on the river,
that is why i think that video series of analyzing one hand is great for it can help correct mistakes..
as for complete sucks out like we got set of aces and they got set of kings and they river quads nothing can be there.
TPE Pro
December 6, 2012
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Do some quick maths or count to a hundred in sevens or something. Its all about changing your brains thinking from the emotional to the logical side. We have two sides of the brain, one side is used for each. Just Google the Limbic system if you don't believe me. But you cant use both sides at once. Its why you do irrational things when you're angry or depressed If you want to see it action, the next time you have an argument and your wife or gf is in a mad rage and about to stab you in the eye with a blunt fork, don't say something lame like "But I didn't know she was your sister". Try shouting "Whats the square root of 562?" or "What are seven eights?" etc... I cant promise you'll be forgiven, but it'll probably save your eyesight. With any luck she'll come to her senses and you'll get a swift kick where it hurts instead.
Thanks for this, I got a good laugh out of it and it’s legit good advice as well.
I recommend Tommy Angelo’s Elements of Poker. You need to learn not to have an emotional attachment to the elements of the game. That includes the cards and also the other players. You don’t have any right to win the pot just because you have the best hand, you aren’t “supposed” to win, your opponents aren’t “supposed” to treat you some way or another, and it isn’t natural or normal or necessary to get upset when things you didn’t want to happen happen. All of these things, even rude opponents, are just obstacles you have to overcome. If aspired to be an olympic hurdler, would you scream and kick something every time you came to a hurdle in the course? Presumably you would practice getting over it as quickly as possible, and that’s what you should do with bad beats.
TPE Pro
August 25, 2012
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+1 to Andrew, acceptance is a really valuable concept. You deserve nothing, the game owes you nothing, everything that happens is what it is and will not be changed no matter how you react once it's passed.
Also, +1 to the suggestion of reading Jared Tendler, he's the nuts for developing your mental game. Absolutely essential.
I also want to chime in about getting tilted by people talking in the chat box – I believe you should approach people who berate in chat the same way you should approach trolls on internet forums. You don't spend your time getting into endless arguments with the trolls, you don't fall for their baiting, because they're pathetic. They're just trying to get a laugh out of pissing everyone else off because they have nothing better to do – similarly, people who berate you in chat are just taking out all the frustrations of their life on you.
You don't respect or listen to people who troll internet forums with random abuse, so don't respect or listen to people who tell you to go die of cancer or something equally deplorable in the PokerStars chat box. They're not worthy of it. Every time I see someone abusing me in chat, I chuckle to myself, roll my eyes, and almost always, eliminate the possibility that they're actually good at poker. In almost 4 million hands of online poker since 2009, I've never berated anyone in chat and I've never broken anything because of tilt.
Finally, my two cents about getting over suckouts – play more poker. Just keep playing and playing, get tons of volume, and over time you'll just stop caring. You'll have seen it all. You'll have been one-outed and two-outed more times than you can count, had opponents suck out to royal flushes, and all kinds of other things. It won't even register when you lose your 8,539th flip on the bubble of a final table. De-sensitising is a thing, and it works!
October 6, 2010
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theginger45 said:
Finally, my two cents about getting over suckouts – play more poker. Just keep playing and playing, get tons of volume, and over time you'll just stop caring. You'll have seen it all. You'll have been one-outed and two-outed more times than you can count, had opponents suck out to royal flushes, and all kinds of other things. It won't even register when you lose your 8,539th flip on the bubble of a final table. De-sensitising is a thing, and it works!
+1 million to that last bit! its true too
TPE Pro
TPE Management
July 20, 2010
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learning to deal with them is a big part of the mental side of the game but that being said getting annoyed by them isnt the end of the world and actually shows that you care. Emotion is a huge part of poker so if getting sucked out on fires you up and creates more drive to destroy your opponents than look forward to the odd one and channel the emotion properly.
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