Most poker lovers are very likely to agree with the following statement: "Winning is the best part of playing poker." Nothing is equal to the titillating feeling that overcomes you when the dealer announces the winning hand and you happen to be its owner. When you win, you feel as if you can do anything. You're the king of the universe and somehow you are quite confident that nothing can change that. But, of course, that's only until the next time you lose!

Unfortunately, there is also the loss aspect that we must take into consideration before joining a poker table and becoming active players. It's the risk of either winning or losing that makes playing traditional or online poker such an attractive pastime. It's this guessing of what is in the cards for us that makes us join the game time over time again. And, that's actually fine as long as such a behavior does not eventually become compulsive...

After we've already established that losing is an inseparable part of playing poker, what are the best ways to deal with it? Well, many psychology experts assert that the most effective method of coping with loss is knowing and adjusting your expectations.

The first thing you must ask yourself is whether or not your expectations are realistic. For instance, if you happen to be a poker beginner, do you really expect to win the first time you sit down at a table mostly occupied by poker sharks? Do you really expect to win against experienced players at a time when you are making your first steps in the world of professional poker?

If the answers to the questions mentioned above are positive, then your expectations are completely unrealistic. It is a well known fact that honing professional playing skills takes a lot of time and patience. You must reexamine your expectations and fast! Try to look at losing the other way around. Expect to break even, and consider winning a great bonus.

The more you practice, the better you will eventually become. And, only at that point, you will earn the right of expecting to win. With time, you will realize that players who are truly experienced tend to treat loss as another step towards winning. They learn from their mistakes and ultimately become much stronger.

Another important thing to remember when you happen to be on a losing streak is that, at a certain point, when your bankroll can no longer take it, it's better to leave the table. Don't be ashamed to call it quits. Just come back sometime later with new energies. It's the healthiest thing to do. Walking away at the right time is the most graceful way to deal with loss!