The Tilt Factor

Here's another question I get asked a lot, regarding the difference between playing in a cash game and in a tournament. We had a lengthy discussion on my radio show this week about the various strategic differences, but I want to focus on one point — The Tilt Factor.

When I'm in a cash game and I run into a bad hand, I get up, go get a drink of water, walk around the casino for a minute, take a deep breath, and then come back and sit down at the table when I'm calm, cool, and collected. You can't do that in a tournament, especially deep in one. If you take a bad hit, you're gonna get another two cards dealt to you immediately, and you have to play them. You've got to stay focused.

So, what do you do to avoid going on tilt after losing a tough hand in a tournament? You hope your next hand is deuce-seven, or you get a round of easily-played cards (like, say, aces!). That's not when you want to deal with pocket jacks with a raise and a re-raise ahead of you. That's not when you want several limpers and then you look down at jack-nine of hearts and wonder, "Do I or don't I make a move with this?" If you feel yourself tilting, even a little bit, it's best to fold marginal hands and take a mental break right at the table while you regroup.

If you'd like to hear the other strategies we discussed on my radio show this week, and our conversation with Kathy Raymond (who runs the terrific poker room at The Venetian), check out the podcast or click here to subscribe via iTunes.

Got a question about poker strategy, or a hand you've played? E-mail me.