The Opposite of being on Tilt

[Graham C]

I think I struggle sometimes from almost the opposite of tilt.  Not that I play great and get winners all the time, but after a good result in a multi table tourney, I can't seem to play for a while and it has a definite effect on me.  I get a bit too confident and make calls I wouldn't make usually and perhaps bet too much and try and blag too many pots.

Is this common?  What do you do to ground yourself again?

[Claw75]

I think I struggle sometimes from almost the opposite of tilt.  Not that I play great and get winners all the time, but after a good result in a multi table tourney, I can't seem to play for a while and it has a definite effect on me.  I get a bit too confident and make calls I wouldn't make usually and perhaps bet too much and try and blag too many pots.

Is this common?  What do you do to ground yourself again?

Yes Graham - I am exactly the same, and I think it is a form of tilt.  Usually a few bad results and I get my discipline back.  My advice would be to take a break for a few days, but it's not advice I've taken myself!  Would be interested to hear others' views on this as it is definitely a problem for me.

[Jim-D]

Im not sure, But what happened to your avatar?  its only a blank square with a x  in the corner.

Or is it just me?

[Graham C]

but I don't want to take few days off

Oh, that red x is because i removed the files from my server, I'll pop them back - thanks for reminding me

[Jim-D]

thats better,  Just love the face of that cow, seems to be really enjoying it

[Graham C]

I think you are right, there must be something relaxing about being milked, it's something I think I'd enjoy if I had udders

[matt674]

All that it is normally is "over-confidence". Your result makes you think you are the best player at the table and all you've got to do is turn up and you think you'll win, especially if you've made some well read calls and moves during your victory you will keep telling yourself that every marginal call is the right one when sometimes it wont be.

Its just all down to experience, the more you play the more you will get into the habit of treating each tournament and each hand seperately - making decisions based on the facts themselves rather than the fact that you were making good decisions in your previous tournaments.

It is exactly the opposite of running bad - where you are on a bad run and before you even sit down to play a tourney your brain is telling you "whats the point, your only going to be outdrawn by some idiot chasing a 4 out gutshot straight draw!". This usually leads you to defeat before the tournament has even started as you are in the wrong frame of mind. When you are running well take the confidence into your next tournament but dont become too complacent and again get yourself in the wrong frame of mind.

[Graham C]

So it's just experience?  I do hope so.  After my last nice result, I did give it a few days before I played another game (mainly as I was still shattered from the 4am experience) but it was still there in the back of my mind.

So much to learn.  Glad there isn't any rush

[matt674]

Taking confidence into tournaments is a good thing - i always seem to get my best results on the back of a previously good result as normally i am going into the tournament in the right frame of mind.

Its knowing how to control not getting over-confident and complacent. Normally it isnt something you learn, it'll be something your brain controls better (a bit like tilting). You already know the course of action you need to take - its getting your brain to keep it under control.

[jezza777]

There was a discussion about this on pokernightlive recently. Caspar Berry my favourite pundit (sorry tk) made a point that pychologicallly you have a self image and it is set at a certain level. If you are running well and above your percieved self worth then subconciously your brain will encourage you to make poor decisions and lose money until you level out again. A very interesting point of view which supports my view that the first player you have to beat at the table is yourself..   

[Lee]

I always find clicking on the "cashier" button works a treat for me.

[Rupert]

Tilt is just when you are in a state of mind when you aren't making the best decisions, be that because you are angry or because you are overjoyed you just won a big pot.  Try not to let emotions ever get the best of you in poker, try not to be upset when you have a nasty bad beat but equally try not to get excited when you hit a 4 outer on the river.  Enjoy it once you are home with the cash

[Graham C]

I do try and not let my emotions get the better of me but its hard, especially for some one like me as I've only been playing about 9 months and making a final table (or even winning) is such a buzz for me that it's not too easy to do.

Can't hit the cashier button as we're not actually talking about that much cash  

Did he give any tips on how to ground yourself Jezza?  Cold shower perhaps