Poker Glossary

Tilt

An emotional state — usually triggered by bad beats, coolers, or fatigue — that degrades decision-making: chasing losses, forcing action, calling out of anger, playing hands you would normally fold. Tilt converts variance, which is unavoidable, into losses, which are not — making it the most expensive leak in poker. Managing it with stop-loss rules, breaks, and the willingness to quit is a core professional skill.

At the table

One outdraw and his open size doubles, his folds vanish, and three more buy-ins follow the first out the door within the hour. The beat cost one pot; the tilt bought the whole night.

House note

Tilt is the interest you pay on anger. The rate is criminal.

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