There are many components of an expert poker player. One thinks of card sense, logical thinking, not being averse to risk, etc, but by far the most often considered aspect is the quality of psychological endurance.

The term “tilt” is one just about everyone has heard of and refers to a change of course in the game – a downturn. Tilt represents a specifically poker-related mental and emotional state, one where the player is irrationally influenced into making moves he never would have made in his normal play. Quite often, in this tilted condition, the player begins a sudden phase of loose-aggressive play or can turn into an unmanageable maniac, or many other weird undesirable deviations from his usual method of play. At times, fear is behind the tilt and the player becomes tight-passive. Whatever the tilt origination, the player is headed down the road to defeat.

It is by far easier and cheaper to be able to avoid going on tilt at all, than to allow it and then struggle to repair the calamity. A thorough knowledge of poker is your best help in this respect. If you understand what distance and dispersion is in poker you will find it much easier to endure bad spells. Familiarity with mathematical statistics and the theory of probability in general helps you establish a realistic outlook on any or most situations in your life.

Understanding statistics gives you an awareness that specific combinations do not always guarantee the same result. For instance, AQs is only a 68% successful combination. It stands a good chance of losing approximately one out every three deals.

As we all know, knowledge in itself is not enough to always be of assistance. One can be in total awareness that odd things occur and that you can handle the situation. But a long train of bad cards can upset the coolest cat and the lucky morons become even more annoying at this point. Despite your coolness, in spite of yourself, you may find that you are running completely amok. This is tilt, my friend, and you must ride it to the best of your ability without becoming completely unhinged.

For now, yes; but besides theoretical knowledge, there is another trick which may help you avoid going on tilt: a practical knowledge of your personal “triggers” – those specific events which trigger the undesirable reaction.

To gain control over any event, you need to have a full understanding of it prior to its inception. You need to be able to identify it prior to its occurrence so you can thwart that demon in you that sends you out of control. This will allow you to avoid flailing blindly into full tilt mode, because you knew the signs in yourself before, during and after the event and can catch yourself before madly spiraling into the abyss. You will be able to maintain at least a semblance of clear headedness and reverse the trend if not altogether avoid it.

Pragmatism is what you are after here. When you feel a tilt coming on, you will be able to recognize the signs and be far more capable of controlling it, if not being able to completely avoid it.

The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Rakeback at Cellsino Poker and Rakeback at Gutshot Poker.