Dealing with a Bad Beat
OK you lost that big hand and you were ahead. Yes, that was a bad beat. Now what?
First, Don’t Go on Tilt. Bad Beats happen, it is part of the game and you cannot let one hand that is over and done continue to negatively affect your game. Put it behind you, cool down and get back to your game. If need be get up from the table and take a walk to get yourself together. Whatever you do, if you are dwelling on that bad beat hand, do not play the next hand aggressively to “get it all back”.
Next, do not let your opponents see that the bad beat has you shaken. Never let them see you sweat! In fact, you can take advantage of a bad beat if your next hand really is a big one. Play it like you are tilting like mad and don’t care anymore.
Finally, do not tell and retell your bad beat story. We have all had them and we are all tired of hearing yet another bad beat story. Nothing will make you a social leper in the poker world faster then always having another bad beat story to tell.
-This is Beginner’s Poker Blog Post #132
