The number one reason good players never become great poker players is that they fall victim to their own emotions and end up on tilt. Tilt is when a player becomes erratic or emotional and starts making poor poker decisions that they wouldn’t otherwise make. This can mean betting too much or too often, playing hands you should fold, or folding hands you should play. All of these things can burn through your bankroll in a hurry.

To stop those trips to the land of tilt, you first have to explore the reasons why most people lose control. Here are the most common reasons people go on tilt:

1. Getting cold cards - No matter how great a player you are, sooner or later the cards will stop coming your way.

2. Having a bad day - Everyone is more than a poker player. There are spouses, kids, outside jobs, etc. These things can weigh on your mind and add to your stress level.

3. Letting other players get to you - Some players talk and give you a hard time as part of their strategy. For other people, it is just natural to be an asshole. Either way, these actions can play on your psyche and get you rattled.

4. Bad beats - No doubt that bad beats are the main reason for people to lose it. Ever poker player has a tale about the worst bad beat of their life. Bad beats will cause anyone but the most skilled players to lose it.

No matter what the cause, getting on tilt is one thing that any poker player has to learn to control. Stopping tilt is a lot like what you tell a child when he or she gets out of control:

1. Take a deep breath and count to 10. Long, slow breathing is a key way for you to allow your body and mind to relax.

2. Walk away. If deep breathing doesn’t help, get up from the table. Take a walk to the bathroom. Step outside for fresh air. Don’t worry about missing a few hands, the table will still be there when you get back.

3. Think pleasant thoughts. I know it sounds simple, but thinking pleasing thoughts can really calm you down in a pressure situation.

Controlling our emotions is one of the key things to playing good poker. Control your mind, and the game will follow.