We've all been there - your opponent makes a terrible call, and proceeds to hit a 3 outer on the river to take down a huge pot. How you react in these situations can have a big impact on your bottom line as a poker player. Will you go on tilt, playing too many hands trying to get your money back, or playing differently than you normally would? Or will you keep your cool, brush it off and keep playing optimally? Here are some tips to keep your composure and avoid a Hellmuthian meltdown.

- The best poker players take the most bad beats. They are almost always going in with the best of it. When the money goes in, they have the advantage. Remind yourself of this and use it to stay under control. Focus on making the correct decision, and worry less about the results. That will work itself out in the long run as long as you continue to make the right decisions. Be happier when you make the correct play and lose, than when you make a bad play and end up winning.

- The best poker players have discipline. They are focused on the long term, and don’t sweat the ebbs and flows of luck in the game. Chip Reese, who plays in the Big Game with all the top players, is considered one of the best all around poker players of all time. What makes him so great? Many things, but a large part of it is his unparalleled composure and his inability to go on tilt.

- If necessary, take a break after suffering a bad beat. Go for a walk and cool down. Even consider stop playing if you have to. If you can’t regain focus and play optimally, then you shouldn’t be playing. Poker is one long session, and there will be another day.

- Don't tap the aquarium. One of the worst things you can do is criticize the player who just sucked out on you. If he made a bad play, chances are he’ll make more, and you can take advantage. Do not alert him to his poor play; profit from it. But don’t make it personal, and don’t go out of your way to seek revenge on him with subpar hands.

Use these tips to keep an even keel, and next time that backdoor straight busts your set, hopefully it will sting a little less.

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