Surviving Bad Beats

They happen to all players at some point. There you are sitting there with a nearly unbeatable hand and the worse happens, your opponent gets lucky and you get beaten. It can be devastating and not only affect your current game but how you play certain hands in the future.

 

There are no guarantees – you have to keep reminding your self that. No matter how monster your hand is, there is a chance it can be beaten. Let it go, the next hand is a whole new opportunity but don’t go on tilt trying to regain your lost chips.

 

It happens both ways – we are often quick to remember the bad beats that we forget our lucky times. Ever called a large raise to hit your flush on the river or similar? Your opponent just got bad beaten by you.

 

Realise there will be good and bad – in a more generalisation of the game you will have to accept that over a length of play you will encounter good as well as bad hands/days. Learning when to stop and walk away for the day is what will help eliminate more bad days.

 

Your last chip still counts – a bad beat may take most if not all your of your chip stack. If though you have chips left you still have a chance to get back into the game if you apply a level head and chose an aggressive style at the appropriate times. Use position and hand strength to either steal a blind or double up at the appropriate moment.

 

Watch others reactions to bad beats – you will soon realise it doesn’t happen just to you. Notice their reactions in the comment box and ask yourself if you want to be viewed like this. Be professional especially when others are not – keep your focus.

 

Surviving a bad beat is about maintaining focus. If you have suffered a bad beat and having trouble remaining calm then step away from the computer, it will still be there when you have calmed down.

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