Winning small/medium pots and losing big pots
What is the psychological term or issue that I have where I get extremely annoyed during a low stakes live PLO session where every time I get it in with the nuts or a super wrap + nut flush draw and I run super well by holding or hitting in pots where I put in $500-1000 and lose when I put in $1500+?
Played a long session yesterday where I got it in about 20x for small/medium pots where we get it in HU or multi ways for $500-1000 each and I won most of those but then in the 5x where I put in $1500+ HU or multi-way I couldn't hold or get there as a favorite with combo draw so the net $ results was pretty even but psychologically it obviously puts you in a state of sadness/depression like things are unfair but obviously the cards, dealer, shuffle machine, and life rng doesn't know the pot size just makes things feel horrible. I have had a lot of coaching and studied a lot with regards to mental game and I feel I am very composed and continue to play near my A game after these runouts that go against me but I would love to learn more and help myself overcome these feelings easier/quicker/better. Any help is appreciated in directing me to understanding and improving here.
3 Replies
The expression that you're looking for is "entitlement tilt."
Thank you. I knew there has to be a term for it.
I totally understand the frustration you're feeling. During my time as a professional poker player, I often struggled with similar emotions, especially when I was studying hard and putting in long hours, only to have a bad session that cost me 50 buy-ins. Honestly, I never fully overcame this while I was still playing, and it definitely held me back. The frustration would often cascade into how I managed myself as a player, affecting my mindset and decision-making.
What helped me over time was focusing on what I could control. If something didn’t go as planned, I would ask myself, "What can I learn from this?" If I could identify a mistake, then I saw it as an opportunity to grow. This mindset shift, which I call the growth mindset, is extremely empowering. Our mistakes are no longer failures; they’re chances to improve and evolve.
When it comes to dealing with expectations, it’s a tough truth to accept, but we’re only disappointed when our expectations aren’t met. For me, I had to learn how to stay present and focus on the process rather than obsess over the outcome. Goals are important, but they should be centred on things we can control, like getting better each day-not just hitting a specific target.
Lastly, setbacks are an inevitable part of life and poker. What makes them so brutal is that they often bring up limiting beliefs we might not even realise we have. These beliefs can make us feel weak or out of control, especially when a loss feels like it confirms those beliefs. But the key is recognising those moments and understanding that setbacks don’t define us; they’re just part of the journey.
I hope this perspective helps. Feel free to reach out if you ever want to chat more about navigating the mental side of poker!
