So far, we’ve brought you three previous guides in our Poker Hacks series, with our bitesize guides to improving your poker diet, organising your sleep during poker events and even how to travel in an improved and more constructive way for your game.

This time around, we’re focusing on a subject that has thankfully come to the attention of the world in recent months a lot more, albeit at times for tragic reasons. Mental health is one of the most important factors you should consider when playing poker, and not just whether yours is great or not.

Poker can impact your mental health in many ways. It can make you tired, it can leave you feeling temporarily despondent or emotionally fatigued. The highs can be positively stratospheric while the lows closer to the ground than a lizard’s lower regions. Balancing your mental mood is a huge challenge and can have a massive effect on your bottom line, whether you’re a recreational player or one of the very best players in the world.

Here are five ways you can sharpen up your mental edge and protect yourself from tougher moments.