Whether you’re a poker player, bettor, or casual slots enthusiast, the emotional toll of losing is universal. The internet is FLOODED with advice on what to do with your multi-million winnings and whatnot and we do NOT talk enough about what to do when you’re losing. Even if you’re on a site like Stake Österreich, a site that has daily races of up to 100,000 EUR, weekly level-up bonuses of up to 20,000 EUR, and a whole host of exclusive crypto games, you are still NEVER fully loss-proof. The good news is – there ARE solutions and they’re just as universal as the problems!
First Things First… Go Ahead, Admit You’re in a Slump
Panicking? That’s the worst move. Seriously, it clouds your judgment faster than anything. The very first step is to simply acknowledge, “Yup, I’m on a bad run.”
Gaining insight isn’t really eating that defeat, it’s the denial that causes risky choices. Instead of reacting emotionally, rationally recognize the streak. You can become a strategic crisis manager, not a tantrum-throwing madman.
Everyone goes through rough patches. Take a deep breath. Starting with clarity and honesty helps solve all kinds of problems. This mental reset underpins everything.
Power of the Pause
When the losses stack up, the instinct is to play more to win it back. Fight that urge. Stepping away is your most powerful tool. It breaks the cycle of frustration and stops the financial bleed. Take a stroll, watch an episode of some TV show, or do something else. This is no more than a smart withdrawal to save your wallet and sanity, this is not quitting.
Tomorrow, the games will still be there, so let yourself return with a new viewpoint.
Find Where Your Money Went
You can’t fix the things you never measure. Whenever you’re ready, take a step back and examine the numbers with a critical eye. Track it instead of speculating.
Were you forcing bets in sports? Playing too many marginal hands in poker? Chasing bonus buys in slots? Look for patterns. A simple session log can reveal the leaks.
| Time | Game/Event | Stake | Result | Notes (Emotion, Decision) |
| 8:00 PM | Blackjack | €20 | -€100 | Doubled down on 15 vs. 10. Felt rushed. |
| 9:30 PM | Soccer Bet | €50 | Loss | Bet on favorite out of frustration. |
Back to Basics: Check Your Bankroll Rules
A losing streak exposes weak bankroll management. Revisit your core rules now. The classic 1-5% rule is a lifesaver: never risk more than 1-5% of your total bankroll on a single bet or session. If your roll is €1,000, your max session stake should be €20-€50.
If you’ve blown past that, you know the problem. Recalculate. Your next session should be at the corrected, lower stake that your shrunken bankroll dictates. This feels like a step back, but it’s the only way to survive the variance and play another day. Discipline here is everything.
Why “Chasing” is a Trap
“Chasing” losses is the speediest way to turn a bad day into a REAL calamity. Here’s the brutal truth, if you need to hear it: probability doesn’t care. Each bet is independent. Chasing leads to larger, riskier bets made with emotion, not logic. You’re not thinking about value; you’re thinking about the hole in your account. This erodes your strategy and often doubles your losses.
Downsize to Survive: Adjusting Your Stakes
This one’s tough on the ego, but crucial. When your bankroll takes a hit, your stakes must come down. Period. Playing at your usual level with a diminished roll dramatically increases your risk of ruin. It’s simple math. If you started with a €1000 bankroll and are now at €600, your 5% session stake drops from €50 to €30.
As opposed to being a demotion, this is a matter of smart survival. It takes the edge off, allows you to regain confidence with smaller swings, and maintains your involvement. Swallow your pride. Going back to basics protects your future chances.
Spot Your Triggers and Defuse Them
“Tilt” is that red-mist state where you play angry and make awful decisions. We all have our own triggers. Be it a bad beat, a missed call, a string of near-wins, or something else. Being aware of your own warning signals before you lose it is crucial.
- Physical. Clenched jaw, feeling hot, rushing your bets.
- Mental. Thinking “This site is rigged!”. Or something like “I’m due for a win!”
When you spot them, act RIGHT AWAY. Use a pre-set tilt routine. Playing on tilt is just donating money.
Do You Need to Adjust Something?
When you’re on a bad run, it may be time to switch up your gaming preferences. Be honest. Are you at a poker table with players way above your skill level? Betting on sports you don’t truly understand? Playing a volatile slot that’s eating your balance? Sometimes, the leak isn’t how you play, but what you play.
Comeback Plan: How to Reset and Return
Tomorrow is a brand-new day, but only if you plan for it. Your reset protocol:
- Sleep on it. Never decide to “play one more” late at night.
- Set a strict loss limit for your next session (e.g., 50% of your new session stake).
- Start small. Begin with minimum stakes to regain a feel for the flow.
- Focus on process. Applaud your own good decisions, not just wins.
- Use tools wisely. For instance, if you’re into crash games, a provably fair aviator calculator can help you. It’s a great instrument to analyze round history and verify fairness. Come back with a learner’s mindset, not a revenge mission.
The goal is to re-build, not recover everything in one shot. Slow and steady wins the race back to profitability.
