Don't Tilt - Use Exclusion

12 January 2008 by Philip Tuck

Plugging leaks in how and when you play poker is just as important as plugging leaks in the way you play each hand

In that moment where you are going spare at a bad beat and go on the rampage spewing your bankroll, just think about that exclusion option...

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If you mention the words “self exclusion” to many online players a few words will quickly crop up. ‘Degenerate gambler’, ‘gambling problem’, or ‘GA meetings’ will probably be at the fore of the conversation. Yet self exclusion can be a great tool in addressing negative aspects of your play. Unlike in brick and mortar card rooms, where the money is in your pocket, and there is no easy to use option that will stop you form losing all your money when tilting hard; online there is nearly always a simple to use option that will ban you from playing, transferring money, and even playing with play money if you so wish.

There are many situations where the use of self exclusion is nearly always a good thing. Just had a messy break up with your partner? It might be best to exclude yourself for a least a couple of days - if not longer. Just had bad beat of bad beats? Before you start tilting hard just exclude yourself for a day. Know your going out to get drunk and may want to play when you get back? Try excluding yourself for the evening and taking away the option of gambling away your online bank roll.

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Remember that much of the skill of the poker player is the endless fight against adopting “bad gambling” practices; chasing your losses, playing outside of your bank roll, playing intoxicated, or when in a dangerous emotional state. Self exclusion is just another tool available to the honest player in combatting these factors - plugging leaks in how and when you play poker is just as important as plugging leaks in the way you play each hand.

The use of self exclusion is not a feature for solely for players with massive gambling problems. If anything, it is a tool to be used by skilled players keen to keep their tilt and losses to the absolute minimum. When I hear players talk about self exclusion as if it’s something they would never have to use, that their will power or other factor will stop them tilting, I worry much more about them than a player that openly tells me they have just banned themselves for a while to cool off.

Do not be ashamed to use this unique feature of online play - it might just save you your whole bankroll one day.