Tilt is the number one reason poker players lose money. It happens when emotions take over after a bad beat or losing streak, causing players to abandon logic and make impulsive decisions.
Poker tilt is emotional decision-making that replaces logic during a session. Instead of playing based on strategy, you start reacting to frustration, anger, or disappointment.
Most players don’t realise tilt is predictable. It usually happens when emotional pressure builds up over time.
I am not playing to recover losses from another tournament, I am not tired or emotionally activated, I know my stop-loss for today — no exceptions, no “one more hand”. I am playing to execute stratergy - not just to get lucky.
If you feel emotional, you are no longer playing optimal poker.