How To Prevent Tilt When Playing at an Online Casino
Have you heard of the term “going on tilt?” It is a phrase that first appeared when pinball machines were hugely popular and describes when the machine detected being lifted or hit too hard. The machine would display “TILT” on its screen and switch off until the operator reset it. Tilt, in the gambling sense of the word, refers to a state of emotional or mental confusion or frustration. Going on tilt is terrible for any gambler because they run the risk of blowing their entire bankroll.
It does not matter if you play online poker professionally somewhere like PokerStars or if you like to kick back and play slots and blackjack at Las Vegas online casinos; going on tilt can happen to anyone. Imagine you are playing blackjack and see the dealer deal themselves blackjack for the 11th time when you are sat there with a hard 20. Some people get frustrated, but others can fly into a full-blown rage! If what is happening in front of you is causing you to think and act differently, there is every chance you are on tilt.
Becoming angry is the most common form of tilt, and it happens to be the most dangerous. We tend to react to anger with aggression, which is a perfectly human response to this emotion. The problem with being angry is the rational parts of our brain take a back seat to the little devil sitting on our shoulders. We become increasingly reckless, often making larger bets. If you fall into this trap, your losses can spiral, your anger can worsen, and you will have blown your entire bankroll in a rage.
Always Follow Bankroll Management
Even the calmest and most collected gamblers go on tilt at one stage of their lives. Nobody likes losing, especially if losing costs you money. The first step to preventing tilt is to follow proper bankroll management. First, your gambling bankroll should only be made up of money you can afford to lose. If you think you have a $200 bankroll but know that little Jimmy has a school trip next week that costs $50, and you have no other way to pay for that trip, your bankroll is $150. Never, ever gamble with money you cannot afford to lose.
Your bankroll dictates how large your bets should be. Losing $100 on a hand of blackjack if you only have $200 available is a silly move. Losing $100 on a roulette spin when you have a $5,000 bankroll is manageable, even though the money lost is the same. Many gambling experts suggest never spending more than 2% of your bankroll on any wager. This equates to $2 if you have a $100 bankroll, $4 if you have a $200 bankroll, and so on. Your bet size increases as your bankroll grows and decreases if it shrinks. Managing a bankroll in this manner keeps you in the game longer and, because it is money set aside purely for gambling, helps prevent tilt.
Take a Break or Set Limits
Don’t be afraid to take a break if you hit a losing run; consider a lengthy break if your losses are significant. Step away from the table for 10 minutes or so if you lose 20-25% of your bankroll or at the first indication you are slipping into tilt. Taking a short break is a great way to reset and prepare to take on the house again. If, for whatever reason, you cannot compose yourself, go home or log off from your online casino. You will have the chance to play again tomorrow or when you feel ready. Casinos will always be there waiting for you. Your bankroll may not be if you fritter it away.
Consider setting yourself loss limits that, once hit, see you finish gambling for the day—the same works for win limits. Nothing is worse than enjoying a winning session only to lose some back, go on tilt and lose both your profit and a chunk of your bankroll. Once you have won your predetermined amount, step away, enjoy your earnings, and come back fresh later.
At the end of the day, tilting is part of human nature. You must learn to see the warning signs that you are slipping into tilt and putting your bankroll at risk. Once you spot them, employ some preventative measures, collect yourself, and go again!