Is an Ultra Competitive Nature Counterproductive for a Poker Player?

[Nikita]

I can definitely relate. I'm the same way, I get pissed off when I'm sucked out on and I know I've tilted a couple times after a bad beat.

For me, it helps to have Rob around. I don't know how he does it, but he never lets the beats bug him. When I start to get upset, I know he's there for me to talk to and vent a bit. I also try to mimic his calm demeanor. It's starting to work. I still get upset, but I get over it faster now.

I've also started to think of poker in the long run. Just as TP mentioned, I can't think about the single hands. I have to look at the big picture. If I'm winning more money than I lose, I'm beating the game.

I also don't play cash games very often. I'm not very good at them, I think just because of my competitive nature. I think for someone who hates to lose, tournaments are a better way to play poker. You can't really win at cash games, but you can win a tournament. I know I get less upset about beats in tournaments, than I do in cash games.

And of course, just like you, I always think about my decisions, and not the results. That helps the most. As long as I know I made the right decisions, I can definitely cool down faster.