Cooler

A hand where a strong holding runs into a stronger one, so losing a big pot was unavoidable.

Last updated October 16, 2026

What it means: In a cooler both players hold hands strong enough that the money goes in, and the weaker one could not reasonably fold: kings against aces, set over set, a flush against a bigger flush. A bad beat is the cousin where you were ahead when the money went in and the last cards turned it.
How it is calculated: A cooler session on /cash sets the deck for a few hands before they are dealt, so each is a real hand that everyone plays normally. The session end compares your graded decisions in the hands after each big loss with those before the first one.
Worked example: You hold 8♥ 8♦ on J♦ 8♠ 3♥ and get 100bb in against J♣ J♠. Folding a set there would cost you far more over time than this pot, so losing it was not a mistake.
Why it matters: Big losses you could not avoid are where tilt starts. Practicing your next few decisions after one, and seeing them graded, builds the habit of letting them go.