Maintain emotional control while betting
How to cope with big losses in blackjack & avoid tilting
Lesson description
Emotional control is a crucial skill for all blackjack players to learn. Discover how to avoid tilting and what signs to notice when it's affecting your gameplay with Mr Blackjack.
Blackjack is a fast-paced game.
You must concentrate, pay attention to your cards, the dealer's cards, and every card played on the table.
You should also pay attention to how many cards are left in the dealer's shoe and the discard tray to calculate your bet sizing and your decision-making.
This means non-stop action every second of every minute. Some of you even play 2-3 hands at once.
The pressure of keeping track of your game, especially when the stakes are high, can cause many players to tilt and let emotions make bad decisions for them.
It's easy to fritter away your bankroll in this mental state, which is why emotional control is important.
When you are playing to win, here's what you can do to help you maintain emotional control.
It’s important, because when you are emotional, you may make decisions that are not based on mathematics and thus increase the house advantage with every turn.
Here are a few tips to keep your cool:
- Don’t drink and gamble. There is a reason why casinos offer you free drinks when you are at the tables.
- Get enough sleep. If you play when you're tired, you won't be making smart decisions.
- Don’t risk what you can’t afford to lose. If you start playing scared, you will make decisions that are not EV-based, and this will affect your winnings.
Cold streaks or losing big bets can put more stress on players to win more, but this can easily make players spiral out of control with their betting. Watch our next video and find out how to keep your cool in the face of big losses.
What this lesson covers
- How emotions in blackjack can influence your bet limits
- Why tilting happens
- Signs to recognize when tilting is affecting your gameplay
- Tips to maintain emotional control
Meet Mr Blackjack
With a career spanning two decades, Mathieu Blake knows his way around a blackjack table. He's taught and entertained over 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel NeverSplit10's . In this series he'll take you through basic strategy, card counting, and bankroll management. Take a seat with Mr Blackjack and become a winning player.
Bankroll Management
How much should I bring to the casino?
How much should I bet at blackjack tables?
How can I calculate my bankroll?
What is EV & how does it affect your bankroll?
Maintain emotional control while betting
How to cope with big losses in blackjack & avoid tilting
How to grow a bankroll in blackjack
Top tips for managing your bankroll in blackjack
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FAQs
- What is tilting?
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Tilting refers to when a player doesn’t make rational decisions in a casino game and loses control.
- What does ‘getting tilted’ mean?
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‘Getting tilted’ refers to when a player gets angry or frustrated in a casino card game.
- How do you control your emotions in blackjack?
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Set yourself limits, and avoid habits or activities, like drinking, which harm your reasoning. Never take unnecessary risks, like ‘Hail Mary’ bets, to recoup your losses. The National Council for Problem Gambling offers more information and support if you worry you have unhealthy gambling habits.
- When are players most likely to potentially tilt in blackjack?
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Generally, some players lose emotional control in blackjack when they make big losses or a cold streak. It can cause them to chase losses by making bigger, riskier bets based on their gut over the math to recoup their winnings.
- Can I leave a blackjack game if I think I’m losing emotional control?
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Yes, you can exit as soon as the blackjack game finishes. Leaving the table is one of several habits our responsible gambling guide recommends you use to set healthy boundaries with casino games.
- What if another player at the blackjack table is tilting? Should I say something?
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If you have a rapport with the player or feel safe saying something, then you can. If the player is taking their anger out on you or the casino’s employees, then it’s likely they will be asked to leave.
- How can I improve my emotional control?
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Emotional intelligence is essential for playing smart blackjack. Notice the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms you have when you react to stress and anxiety. Exploring what triggers these symptoms and how it affects your decision-making can help you improve your emotional control.