Different Styles of Tilt

One of the amazing revelations I've had this spring is that there are different styles (levels) of tilt. I've been pokering for five years and now just realize that tilt can affect me in different ways.

Interestingly enough, this realization came to me while playing fantasy hockey. I went through a rough patch and lost a few contests on injuries, bad calls or empty net goals.

Wait a minute... what is this feeling of calmness? I took the proverbial bad beat - yet I wasn't tilted. I knew I put together the best team and it would win the majority of contests. Wow, I still have confidence. Am I tilt free? Probably not. Let's just call fantasy tilt my mildest level of tilt, or french vanilla tilt.

With poker, I haven't been able to master french vanilla tilt. I now realize I'm somehow emotionally connected to the cards, even though the randomness (or lack thereof) is beyond my control.

I play mostly PLO8 these days. Some people like to call this bingo poker. You do see some crazy suck outs and re-sucks. Since the bad beats occur often, it's hard to reach heavy tilt. If I lose a bunch in a row, I usually hit medium tilt or Listerine tilt. (Because it stings a little and leaves a bad taste in your mouth.)

On Listerine tilt, I usually shut it down for the day and I'm good to go tomorrow.

I still play NLHE - I'm still trying to qualify for the WSOP. I also get a bunch of bonus added freerolls thrown my way. Although I've had my biggest cashes in NLHE tournaments, I think it's the most "luck influenced" poker game. (a.k.a. highest variance for the math geeks.)

Since one turn of the card can put your 75/25 favorite into a 20/80 underdog, NLHE still puts me on heavy tilt. I call this Blind Fury tilt (or Rutger Hauer tilt). You're so pissed off you can hardly see straight and you want to break shit or kick people's asses. (Samurai sword optional.)



Blind Fury tilt usually causes me to stay away from poker for a few days. I wait until the hunger to play returns.

Even though fantasy results and river cards are both beyond my control, one tilts me hard and the other doesn't. I hope I can translate this revelation into an improvement of my poker skills.

We're constantly on a voyage of self discovery, where we learn about ourselves and what pushes our tilt buttons.

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Needless to say, my satellite play has me on Blind Fury tilt:

2008 WSOP satellite results:

Total SNG's entered: 9
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 2500
Total cash spent: $15.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*

(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)