I think everyone can better grasp how we think (and what poker psychology is all about) by exploring our reactions to bad beats. I call the usual reaction "Bad Beat Syndrome." If you've been playing poker seriously for any substantial amount of time, I am willing to bet you've experienced it, too. After a very tough bad beat, your mind swirls in utter disbelief and disgust. This is more than a simple case of tilt, because it hangs with you for quite a while. Even after you have left the table, your eyes are glazed over and display a vacant look.

The world seems to slow down, and the brain seems to remain in a continual fog. It infects us as we settle in to sleep at night, causing us to toss and turn uncomfortably as we run through the circumstances time and again. Essentially, the bad beat just continues to haunt us.

Bad Beat Syndrome Explored

Every internet poker website has a popular area called the bad beat forum. Within it, you can find tons of woeful players retelling their worst experiences at the table. Find a collection of a few poker players at any home game, and you are certain to hear quite a few discussions on the "one that got away" as well. Frankly, many of us out there find these bad beat stories tired and monotonous. When the "Angry Counselor" side of me rises to the surface I feel compelled to scream, "Would you just get over it already!?!" I'm paid to be empathic and patient at my workplace, but I have a limit here, people! Although I find the bad beat tales to be a bit of a frustrating bore, I certainly understand why they have a continued popularity. It is all in line with our poker psychology.

All human beings are mired in a natural egocentricity. We are focused on ourselves, first and foremost. Along with that, we tend to expect a certain fairness to the world. So, we feel that we "deserve" to win. A bad beat often brings on a common cognitive reaction: "Why me?" Whenever you push all-in with pocket Aces to see 7-2 off-suit hit for 2 pair on the turn and river, your mind desperately searched for a reason why. The now-famous mantra of, "Hey, That's Poker," is nowhere near an acceptable justification within our minds. The mind stays active and the emotions swirl as you continue to search within yourself for an answer. The statistics showed that you should have won. You outplayed him, so you should have won. You feel that you are a better player, so you should have won. When all of these should's add-up, it is impossible for your brain to accept the reality. Really, bad beat syndrome has some characteristics similar to that of a post-traumatic experience. After a nasty car accident, for example, you may be less confident in your driving, have an uneasy notion about driving through the intersection where the accident occurred, or even have a complete fear of driving! I've seen these hit home at the poker table many times, as well.

Just like post-traumatic symptoms, bad beat syndrome is combated through exposure and cognitive restructuring (changing your thoughts). You see, our thoughts directly tie into our emotions. Thus, if we control our thinking we can alter our emotions. In essence, typing bad beats into an online forum is a cathartic release - you are trying to do your own therapy! Your mind must process and work-through the bad experience, so that is the fuel behind the effort. You are essentially hoping others will boost your questioned ego by boosting you with, "That sucks, you should have won." The others are re-enforcing the confidence that you now are questioning.

Proven professional poker players no longer need external reassurances to help get them back on track. The best players will never allow themselves to get off the track in the first place! I want to challenge you to live through a couple of bad beats without looking for emotional help to consol or reignite you. Focus on your thoughts and emotions to overcome the beats own your own. Get back to a table (without tilting) to prove to yourself that you can do it. You can overcome Bad Beat Syndrome without any medication!!

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