[Bowlboy]

Hey I accidentally got to this forum cuz I thought I was going to uNL. Anyhow great post. Didnt read all the replies though tl;dr. Tilt sucks but looks like you have a very good grasp on the nature of the beast so that's a start.

I personally dont feel any tilt most of the time I play in the game I play 10NL 6max because I typically crush it session after session while 9 tabling. Downswings are usually really small for me but when I have taken shots at 25NL for some reason I play badly and tilt a lot. It's weird.

Anyhow, since you know what tilt is and can obviously recognize the symptoms that you are tilting, might I just suggest taking a break? Stop playing. This is especially important if you are approaching that threshold for pain, where your downswing gets so big that losing another 100BB wont make a difference. That's where you're really in danger and it takes a lot to get up and walk away from the game but you need to. You've been beaten. Retreat. Dont stand their and get slaughtered.

Now I think with some discipline, you and lots of us can realize we are beginning to tilt fairly on. Early detection is important here just like with prostate cancer. Take a break in the early stages of tilt. Go to the bathroom, splash some water on your face. Collect your composure. GIVE YOURSELF A PEP TALK. Seriously man. Look at yourself and ask "Wtf am I doing? I'm better than this!" "The 'A' game is where the money is at. Stay on the 'A' game." I mean say whatever you want to make yourself feel better. Be your own coach. Just be careful not to psyche yourself up like a you would a football player to go and kick some ass. You need to be psyched to make the best decisions you can. Remember that you are losing and your opponents will expect you to be on tilt. You're going to need to showdown a hand. Personally I dont like tables where I can only make money by showing down a hand so I'd just leave. Move to another table where nobody knows or suspects that you will be on tilt. There will be less playing back at you that way which will certainly heed the pace at which your tilt is developing into a money fire.

Good luck.