What is tilt, and how does it happen? (By the way, I’m not talking about the terrible TV series that ran on ESPN, and yes, I did watch every episode.) Let’s get something straight right away - it’s not just being mad. I have a friend that we rag on constantly for going on tilt easily. He says to us, “I don’t go on tilt, I just get mad.†He got double the criticism after he said that, but honestly, he does have a point. You can be mad and not be on tilt. However, I don’t think you can be on tilt and not be mad/upset.*******
Tilt really means changing the way you play (for the worse) after you take a bad beat or do something stupid.
This type of mindset can be very very dangerous to you and your bankroll. Are there ways to avoid going on tilt? I really think it depends on the type of person you are. It is obviously easier to avoid tilt if you are an easy-going person. On the other hand, if you are very high-strung, you will get mad, and may very well go on tilt on a regular basis.
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I believe that the first step to avoid going on tilt, (and I’m going to sound like one of those ______ anonymous programs) is realizing and admitting you have a problem. If you can’t step up to the plate and say, I get crazy mad and play like shit when I take a bad beat or make a dumb move, well, you’re going to continue going on tilt.
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I think the second step is taking a few hands off (unless it’s AA or KK 
) to regain your composure. What is the harm in that? Just get away from the computer screen for a few minutes, go punch a wall or throw something through a window (kidding, but you get the point). Make sure when you come back to the computer you are calm and ready to play YOUR game.
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If these two steps don’t help instantly, don’t panic. You don’t become a fantastic poker player overnight, and you probably won’t stop tilting overnight either. It may be a gradual process, and that’s ok, as long as you’re making strides in the right direction. This leads me to the third and final step, which I feel is setting goals for your tilting. If you remain on tilt for one less hand each time you go on tilt from here on out, would you agree that you’re improving? If that’s what you gotta do, that’s what you gotta do.
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You know yourself better than I do, so do what works for you. I’m just trying to point you in the right direction.
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Good luck at the tables.
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