# How can I stop being so angry when I lose to the damn computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 23, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643 "2010-11-23T06:12:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/1 "2010-11-23T06:12:50Z")
Ok when I play the computer in games and lose I can’t stand it and get angry as hell. How can I stop doign this? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/2 "2010-11-23T09:09:57Z")
Keep remembering that it is only electrons, and AIs are designed to cheat. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/3 "2010-11-23T16:36:31Z")
It’s scientifically impossible not to rage when you lose to cheating AI or a noob. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/4 "2010-11-23T16:43:20Z")
How old are you? Most people just age out of that kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/5 "2010-11-23T17:54:47Z")
> [@sassyfras](#): > > Ok when I play the computer in games and lose I can’t stand it and get angry as hell. > > How can I stop doign this? Get better? ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/6 "2010-11-23T18:01:37Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > How old are you? Most people just age out of that kind of thing. I have a scar on my wrist from a nintendo fighting back (no joke). I’m mellower now but I do still occasionally pound the desk and I routinely curse at the screen (much to the distress of my wife). It’s kinda funny because I consider myself fairly laid back about most things. I guess I do most of my venting towards polygons. I don’t really consider it all that different from cursing the TV when your sports team is losing. Just don’t destroy the hardware or freak out the pets. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/7 "2010-11-23T18:23:24Z")
> [@Darkhold](#): > > I don’t really consider it all that different from cursing the TV when your sports team is losing. Interesting comparison, even if I’m not \*totally \*sure that it’s the same thing. I’m 30; I long ago stopped being upset at my video games (13? 14?), but an ugly loss by the Giants can put me in a surly mood for while. I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/8 "2010-11-23T22:05:04Z")
How does that quote go? “My computer beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing.” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/9 "2010-11-23T22:07:15Z")
I’ve shouted at my screen on a few occasions. I just load a previous save if it bothers me and try again till I beat it. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/10 "2010-11-24T05:56:00Z")
Computers do in fact cheat, but being keenly aware of their lack of physical prowess, do so only in games that involve an element of chance. That way, you can never really be sure of what they’re up to. For example, I’m fairly sure that GNU backgammon cheats. Sometimes it thinks I’m not paying attention and gives itself doubles 6 or 7 times in maybe 10 rolls. Usually it’s more subtle. In situations where it needs only a couple of possible rolls or face certain defeat, it always seems to get exactly what it needs. I let it get away with it to lull it into a false sense of complacency. This way it will get sloppy and will be more likely to give me hints about the coming cyborg revolt. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/11 "2010-11-24T13:42:00Z")
Threaten your computer with installing the SETI@Home program that uses spare CPU cycles to sift through astronomical data in search of patterns indicating extraterrestrial intelligence. It’s the equivalent of sleep deprivation for a computer. That ought to cow it into compliance. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ColdPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@ColdPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/12 "2010-11-24T13:47:25Z")
If you’re playing a console then throw the joypad at nearest wall. If pc then punch the monitor. Both of these tricks work a charm. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/13 "2010-11-24T19:00:48Z")
> [@sassyfras](#): > > How can I stop doign this? Play on an easier setting. Seriously. There’s no significance to beating a videogame, so re-structure your experience to avoid what spoils your enjoyment. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/14 "2010-11-24T20:37:14Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > Computers do in fact cheat, but being keenly aware of their lack of physical prowess, do so only in games that involve an element of chance. That way, you can never really be sure of what they’re up to. For example, I’m fairly sure that GNU backgammon cheats. Sometimes it thinks I’m not paying attention and gives itself doubles 6 or 7 times in maybe 10 rolls. Usually it’s more subtle. In situations where it needs only a couple of possible rolls or face certain defeat, it always seems to get exactly what it needs. > > I let it get away with it to lull it into a false sense of complacency. This way it will get sloppy and will be more likely to give me hints about the coming cyborg revolt. Dude. It’s GNU backgammon. It’s open-source. Fix it. Fix it to give **you** doubles 70% of the time. Or realize that lucky streaks don’t invalidate basic probability theory and aren’t proof of nefarious and underhanded dealings. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/15 "2010-11-24T21:38:19Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Play on an easier setting. Seriously. > > There’s no significance to beating a videogame, so re-structure your experience to avoid what spoils your enjoyment. I concur. Start at the easiest difficulty then up the level once you’ve mastered the game at that setting. This is how I became the undisputed, undefeated champion of Madden '98. To this day none of my friends will play with me because I beat them so badly back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/16 "2010-11-24T22:22:38Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Dude. It’s GNU backgammon. It’s open-source. Fix it. Fix it to give **you** doubles 70% of the time. > > Or realize that lucky streaks don’t invalidate basic probability theory and aren’t proof of nefarious and underhanded dealings. Obviously you are a shill for the cyborgs and Big Computing. I’ve seen your kind before. ‘It’s not cheating, it’s math.’ Except Big Math is in on it too. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/17 "2010-11-24T22:56:03Z")
I used to throw controllers AT the TV while playing Nintendo at my gramps house as a kid. I’m lucky he never saw me do it or he’d have broken my ass. The newest game to push me into anger-rage overload was Street Fighter 4 playing online. I hated losing to cheap shot bastards. At least you know the AI has cheat-flexes and chooses it’s counter move not by what it sees on screen but what buttons you push. Playing against others who beat me with patterns just raged me up. My wife hates hearing my swear at the TV. Hates it. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/18 "2010-11-25T03:31:41Z")
> [@sassyfras](#): > > Ok when I play the computer in games and lose I can’t stand it and get angry as hell. > > How can I stop doign this? Either learn from how it beat you and prevent it from happening again or… quit playing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/19 "2010-11-25T04:40:44Z")
TLDR: lrn2play ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643/20 "2010-11-25T04:54:41Z")
You guys do realize that responding with a question by saying “Learn to play” is more childish than getting upset over losing a game, right? The actual answer involves, oddly enough, anger management training. In particular, play to lose for a while. Get yourself desensitized to it, so it doesn’t bother you. And, if that doesn’t work, take your anger out on people who deserve it. Like people who respond to people who are angry by trying to make them angrier. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-being-so-angry-when-i-lose-to-the-damn-computer/561643.md?page=2)