Poker is an emotionally challenging game. Even seasoned professionals have certain triggers that can throw them off and lead to costly mistakes. Here are some common poker triggers and tips on how to handle them effectively:
Coping When Your Big Hand Gets Cracked
Few things feel worse than getting your money in way ahead only to have the villain hit their two-outer on the river. Watching your aces get cracked by 72 offsuit is one of the most frustrating feelings in poker. It’s perfectly normal to feel some anger and frustration when this happens. The key is not letting that anger cause you to spew off more chips trying to “get even.” Take a few deep breaths, get up from the table if needed, and remind yourself it’s just part of the game. Don’t go on immediate monkey tilt. Wait for a strong hand and resist the urge to overplay it or get overaggressive. Stay focused on making +EV decisions, whether your big hands hold up or not.
Controlling Your Emotions After a Failed Bluff
Having your brilliantly crafted bluff exposed and shown down can be infuriating. It may bruise your ego and make you doubt your reads. But remember – even perfectly executed bluffs get called sometimes. It’s not necessarily a poor play or reflection on you. Don’t take it personally or try to bluff recklessly the next few hands to make up for it. Stick to your reads, standard frequencies, bet sizing – don’t let emotion dictate your decisions. Take a break if needed to regroup mentally before the next hand and check whether the line was profitable with your personal poker coach. If you don’t have one, just research the best poker coaching UK websites.
Recovering After an Embarrassing Mistake
We’ve all been there – making a ridiculous play like folding the winning hand or calling an obvious bluff. It’s crushing when you realize you made an easily avoided mental error. Resist the urge to beat yourself up or spiral into shame. Humans make mistakes – look at it as a learning experience. Figure out why it happened and how to prevent it next time. Maybe you need to work on focus by getting more sleep or meditation. Vow to minimize mistakes by analyzing your hands and recalibrating your strategy. Don’t compound the error by making more emotional plays from frustration.
Staying Calm Against Obnoxious Opponents
Players who are rude, loud, obnoxious, or over-celebrate suckouts can easily get under your skin. While it’s tempting to try to show them up by bluffing relentlessly or chirping back, don’t engage. Avoid confrontation or you risk losing focus. Mute them online if possible or put on headphones. Stay calm, stick to your A-game, and be willing to fold to their bluffs. Getting drawn into personal battles leads to poor play and lost money. Don’t give annoying players that satisfaction.
Recovering After Losing a Massive Pot
When you lose a huge pot that you desperately needed to win, it can feel crushing. Thoughts like “my poker career is over” may creep in. But don’t give up. Take a longer break to decompress if required. Get some perspective on life outside poker. Review your play for improvement, but don’t dwell on negativity. Remind yourself winners bounce back from huge defeats. Return to the tables focused and play fundamentally sound. Make smart decisions and the chips will come back around. Variance happens – don’t give in to monkey tilt no matter how big the pot lost.
Learning to cope with triggers, tilt, and swings is a fundamental poker skill. Seeking out a poker coach can provide tremendous guidance in developing emotional control, discipline, and focus no matter what happens at the tables. Don’t let emotion overpower logic. With training and experience, you can minimize how much any poker trigger impacts your bottom line.
