Poker Junkie

Confidence at the poker table can be great.

You sit there, win a few big hands, and the table starts to earn respect for you and your style of play.

Especially if you've been particularly stingy early after sitting down to a new cash game.

Only play premium hands, bet small unless you feel you have the nuts and generally play conservative - I mean Rush Limbaugh conservative.

This can instill a measure of confidence as you go forward that can help you.

It can also be damning.

When you think of players on tilt, you think of a player who just lost a big hand or two, perhaps one who got beat by a lucky turn or river card. They are typically angry or upset.

But there is another side to being on tilt, one that can jump up and bite you when you least expect it: When you're winning.

A few good hands in a row, and perhaps a lucky draw or two can make a player feel invincible. This leads to looser play, which will result in a smaller percentage of pots won, which could result in a downward spiral into the really bad kind of tilt.

Of course, winning is all relative. If you go into a smaller cash game with, say, $100, winning another $100 is not bad. Getting double on your investment is solid for the average player. If most of those winnings come at once, I would caution you to step away for a little bit, perhaps go grab a bite to eat or just discipline yourself to fold every hand unless you peek at pocket aces or kings. This, in the end, could save you from not only losing your winnings, but also your initial investment as you clamor to regain that winning touch.

This is less common with players who are using larger sums of discretionary money, but the principle remains the same. Discipline at the poker table is a must if you hope to consistently come out on the winning side.

Written by One-Eyed Jack

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