Today I won a quick $20 and bought into a satellite into the $55 buy in $50k Guarantee. I donked out early, but I am going to try to satellite into some of the tourneys. However, I think I will hold off until I get my bankroll over $1k. Should have done that today...but i did play a bit impatiently. Updates to follow after my session.
lost to the river gutshot and rivered flush for $300+ pots...I had chipped up on a few tables and then got involved in big hands. Lost them both on the river. Hopefully my luck will turn later this session, but my goal was to win a quick $100-$200. I would have been up about $400 had those two hands held up. Gonna keep plugging away!
What a crazy night...got into a big hand 3 way with QQ vs AK vs not quite sure...board had paired and was all black, so i was nervous, but the river was a queen and i filled up! won a $260 pot. Down a little, just lost to a 2 outter on the river...man, just a crazy night. Been taking some nasty beats on the river, but fighting back!
Ok, so including the buy in for the tourney I burned, I am up about 65 bucks. I was down quite a few hundred and took a few huge pots...here are a few things I have learned...
NL cash is quite a bit more aggressive. People raise with garbage and try to bluff their way to win pots. there are also quite a few people that call down with 2nd and 3rd pair. So, I need to bet my hands for value on the river when I have a solid hand. I cant get pushed off hands so easily and need to control the size of the pot. Do not build it on the flop and be very careful about playing marginal hands out of position. yes, i know these are all simple concepts, but I am violating them. I need to realize that spewing a few bucks here and there mean a lot both to your bankroll long term and your psychological state during the session as you watch your bankroll evaporate. Need to be a bit more disciplined and need to learn to get into the poker mindset earlier in my session. Play strong hands, bet your good ones and just let the crap go...learn it, live it!
So, another excellent night results-wise. I made a few bad calls that costs me a few hundred. I knew better and should have just folded...trust your gut and instinct. i am up a net of about $45. bankroll is $755 and thankfully growing. I earned well over 300 VPPs and will most likely fall short of making any VIP status this month. But, considering I started playing so late in January, I should easily make gold next month...shooting for a few of those cash bonuses or maybe a buy in to a tourney...anyway, until tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wow, it's been a long, LONG time!!
I have been away from poker for some time. I haven't flushed my bankroll down the toilet, but my passion for poker was waning and I had other things that I wanted to focus on. I was more focused on my job, on getting back into shape, and in the time that I was away, I had a baby boy! So, a lot has happened in the past 9 months!
I have moved to Tucson and have taken a job. I am making roughly twice what I was making 2 years ago and am loving my job. Being a father is just awesome! Life-changing is an understatement and one of the best byproducts of being a new father is the newfound discipline and sense of responsibility. I know it might seem ironic that I am talking about responsibility and all of a sudden I pop in to start up my poker blog again. My girlfriend, Penny, was considering getting a part time job, but I told her that I wanted to see if I could start up playing poker again. If she worked 20 hours per week and made like $10/hr, I told her that was just a waste of her time. That if I could start playing poker profitably again that I could make that and much more from the comfort of our own home.
How this all started was I put a few hundred bucks in Poker Stars and was messing around playing sngs. I gravitate towards those because I am an effective player. However, the game is so mechanical and there are so many people grinding sngs that I decided i would make the leap to NL. It was something I have always wanted to do and decided I would say screw the sngs and focus on playing some NL. Well, I have a starting bankroll of about $100. I started playing NL about a week ago. I am shortstacking the $1/$2 NL game. I buy in for $100 and try to grind out some dough. So far, I have had all winning sessions and have brought my bankroll to over $700. I am also shooting to make Gold Star on Poker Stars next month so I can start to work towards earning some cash bonuses to build my roll. It is all quite fun and exciting. I know I am still gambling with my bankroll due to playing well over my head. One bad run and I am pretty much toast! However, recent success has made me feel confident and I am looking to document what i have learned and put it down for me to review. I am learning with every session and I dont want to forget some of the lessons that I have paid to learn!
When I sit down, I need to remember to not force the action. Control the pot size and do not build it too quickly...be careful of playing out of position and just relax and let the game come to you. At this level, there are so many people willing to put all their cash in the middle with draws and pure bluffs that being patient is the key. I forced a little and dropped about 2/3 of a buy in tonight. I spent the rest of the night digging out of the hole I dug and then another half hour grinding out some profit. On the night, up $40 and made 213 FPPs on PS.
Look out, here I come!!
I have moved to Tucson and have taken a job. I am making roughly twice what I was making 2 years ago and am loving my job. Being a father is just awesome! Life-changing is an understatement and one of the best byproducts of being a new father is the newfound discipline and sense of responsibility. I know it might seem ironic that I am talking about responsibility and all of a sudden I pop in to start up my poker blog again. My girlfriend, Penny, was considering getting a part time job, but I told her that I wanted to see if I could start up playing poker again. If she worked 20 hours per week and made like $10/hr, I told her that was just a waste of her time. That if I could start playing poker profitably again that I could make that and much more from the comfort of our own home.
How this all started was I put a few hundred bucks in Poker Stars and was messing around playing sngs. I gravitate towards those because I am an effective player. However, the game is so mechanical and there are so many people grinding sngs that I decided i would make the leap to NL. It was something I have always wanted to do and decided I would say screw the sngs and focus on playing some NL. Well, I have a starting bankroll of about $100. I started playing NL about a week ago. I am shortstacking the $1/$2 NL game. I buy in for $100 and try to grind out some dough. So far, I have had all winning sessions and have brought my bankroll to over $700. I am also shooting to make Gold Star on Poker Stars next month so I can start to work towards earning some cash bonuses to build my roll. It is all quite fun and exciting. I know I am still gambling with my bankroll due to playing well over my head. One bad run and I am pretty much toast! However, recent success has made me feel confident and I am looking to document what i have learned and put it down for me to review. I am learning with every session and I dont want to forget some of the lessons that I have paid to learn!
When I sit down, I need to remember to not force the action. Control the pot size and do not build it too quickly...be careful of playing out of position and just relax and let the game come to you. At this level, there are so many people willing to put all their cash in the middle with draws and pure bluffs that being patient is the key. I forced a little and dropped about 2/3 of a buy in tonight. I spent the rest of the night digging out of the hole I dug and then another half hour grinding out some profit. On the night, up $40 and made 213 FPPs on PS.
Look out, here I come!!
Monday, April 02, 2007
MY NEW BLOGS
I have decided to create a new blog. Actually, two new blogs.
One is to continue my poker progress, but I have a few other things that I want to incorporate into my blog. I wanted to also take my poker progress and blog to the next level. Here is my new poker blog:
I have also picked up my training to start day trading. Here is my blog that is chronicling my progress. I have just started this blog and my training, so probably not going to be any content worth mentioning for at least a week or two.
Come check them out and see how I am progressing. Thanks for reading...
One is to continue my poker progress, but I have a few other things that I want to incorporate into my blog. I wanted to also take my poker progress and blog to the next level. Here is my new poker blog:
http://pokerprojectpreg.blogspot.com/
I have also picked up my training to start day trading. Here is my blog that is chronicling my progress. I have just started this blog and my training, so probably not going to be any content worth mentioning for at least a week or two.
Come check them out and see how I am progressing. Thanks for reading...
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
March 7, 2007
Well, where to begin. how about at my new blog. I am going to put together a new blog because this one has sort of been outgrown. No, I havent become such a great poker player that I no longer need to blog, nor have I log any tables in over a month. I just have had so much happen to me in the past month that I need to start fresh...a new perspective and a new blog. this blog has been fun and was a place where I could vent my frustrations, but I need to make a change. I will post the address to my new blog shortly. It will encompass poker, my life, and my projects...hopefully it will help me remain focused and help me document this interesting time in my life...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
February 8, 2007
I have not seen a poker table in over a week. I want to start playing, but have a new woman in my life and just have no time. She doesnt have internet or any cable of any kind at her place...so there is no watching TV or messing around online...i must admit i wish she had internet, but i dont really miss it. And as for TV, that is awesome! I dont miss it one bit and when i do have a chance to sit down and watch some TV, i realize what a waste of time it is...I am glad that i no longer am addicted to mindless entertainment. However, I need to get back to playing poker...hopefully in the next month or two i will get settled down and back into a normal routine.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
January 31, 2006
Bad start but good finish tonight. I bubbled and took a 2nd and 3rd in my final 3 sngs...ran into a big hand with my AK on the bubble...unfortunate...and lost a couple bad ones when i got ITM on the other 2. I have been playing well...a bit tighter tonight than last, but still playing well. I am tired, so i am gonna call it a night.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
January 30, 2007
I just played a set of 3. Played well and took 2, 3, and 5th. ugh, i played great tonight and feel like i was owning the tables. Its amazing what people will call you with late in sngs. You really must stay disciplined and play your strong hands aggressively because you will get action. I took 2 str8 75:25 beats when we got to the money. That would have set me up with a dominating chip lead heads up, instead i was out in 3rd. I ran into aces with my AKs late in a sng...id do it again if in the same situation. And I took a few nasty ones in the one i took 2nd in...overall, good night and i might play a few more.
One thing i did a bit more of in this set was playing back at raisers. If there is a weakish raise and you are yet to act, i find that if you read any weakness or if they are the big stack, you can make a relatively modest raise and take it down. I think they feel like the smallish reraise is a sign of strength and they let the hand go...i need to start using this more...i am super tight early in sngs, so its best used the in the middle to later part when blinds have creeped up and my table image is definitely tight.
One thing i did a bit more of in this set was playing back at raisers. If there is a weakish raise and you are yet to act, i find that if you read any weakness or if they are the big stack, you can make a relatively modest raise and take it down. I think they feel like the smallish reraise is a sign of strength and they let the hand go...i need to start using this more...i am super tight early in sngs, so its best used the in the middle to later part when blinds have creeped up and my table image is definitely tight.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
January 24, 2006
so far i have lost 3 buy ins...lost to an opened ender, horrible preflop call with Q10 and he hit...i lost AA to 22 and also lot 1010 to AK on the river ace...never fails! just lost A10s when i flopped a nut flush draw to K10 and i took one of his outs with the K of diamond...and he hit the 2 outter on the river! i lose every fucking coin flip...i fuckin hate poker. just lost kk to AA...not my night...
i am not in the right place right now to play poker...between the issues with online payments to the horrible beats and endless suck outs...i am gonna take a long, maybe permanent break from poker...if things open up a bit and the restrictions let up, i might start again, but right now i just dont have the desire to play...
bubbled when my set lost toa 4 flush. won another and heads up in another...won two...back to damn near even...im a stud again! :o)
i am not in the right place right now to play poker...between the issues with online payments to the horrible beats and endless suck outs...i am gonna take a long, maybe permanent break from poker...if things open up a bit and the restrictions let up, i might start again, but right now i just dont have the desire to play...
bubbled when my set lost toa 4 flush. won another and heads up in another...won two...back to damn near even...im a stud again! :o)
Thursday, January 18, 2007
January 18, 2007
I am a bit concerned about the news regarding Neteller. They are really making this hard on the casual player to fund their accounts. I am worried about how quickly this will affect the player pool and how difficult it will become to make some $$ playing poker. I hope the casual player is more hardcore than I think they are...willing to open up new accounts at online financial intermediaries to stay ahead of the US government...what a shame and waste of resources.
On to the tables...
On to the tables...
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
January 16, 2007
I am playing periodically. I have decided to make one last ditch effort to pick up playing again. In doing so, I have allowed myself to gamble a bit. I am playing with a modest bankroll of just under $500 bucks and figured I would pick up my play and either crap out or start to make some money. One nice benefit is the money comes in faster and motivates you more, but one short slide and its all over. I dont think i would reup at this point...But I have been playing great since committing. I have won about 200 in 2 days...starting to build my bankroll, work on my game and starting to see the results. I am cashing regularly and taking a few too many bubbles for my liking, but it's a great sign that i continually get there. Time to adjust and play a bit tighter game...
Overall, promising. Periodic updates to follow...
I just ran some numbers and I am truly gambling by stepping up to the $36s. I only had about 14 buy ins...so that is definitely something I would tell others to avoid doing. If you add my current bankroll with the rakeback I have in my account, I now have about 23 buy ins. I dont feel comfortable until I have about 30-40 and truly comfortable when I have 70 or more. I have seen too many swings to feel comfortable with any less then 50.
Part of my game I need to work and focus on is my bubble play. I know how important this stage of the game is, but I have been a bit donkish lately on it...bubbling far too often and regretting some decisions I have made. I was shortstacked when I made these moves, but I was forcing the issue and cost myself some $$. The more regularly I play, the more I will be able to tighten up this bubble situation...repetition is key for me. These decisions must come quicky and be second nature if I am ever going to start to add more tables.
Overall, promising. Periodic updates to follow...
I just ran some numbers and I am truly gambling by stepping up to the $36s. I only had about 14 buy ins...so that is definitely something I would tell others to avoid doing. If you add my current bankroll with the rakeback I have in my account, I now have about 23 buy ins. I dont feel comfortable until I have about 30-40 and truly comfortable when I have 70 or more. I have seen too many swings to feel comfortable with any less then 50.
Part of my game I need to work and focus on is my bubble play. I know how important this stage of the game is, but I have been a bit donkish lately on it...bubbling far too often and regretting some decisions I have made. I was shortstacked when I made these moves, but I was forcing the issue and cost myself some $$. The more regularly I play, the more I will be able to tighten up this bubble situation...repetition is key for me. These decisions must come quicky and be second nature if I am ever going to start to add more tables.
Monday, January 08, 2007
January 8, 2007
I havent played any since the first day of the month. Today I decided I am going to play the $36s and just stick with those to see if I make it...If I dont, I can quit poker for a while...I need to move up because I am getting frustrated at the lower levels.
I did play a few bubbles poorly...I need to make sure I play a better game on the bubble...I am getting a little loose at times. I guess that is a balance because being too tight on the bubble leads to blinding into 4th place, or at least making it difficult to money. So, I need to evaluate whether it is bad luck or bad strategy. I guess I was on the bubble with AK vs K6 and lost to my 3 outter...so it is more bad luck than anything...I like the way I am playing and think it will all come around...excited to be playing the $36s.
I did play a few bubbles poorly...I need to make sure I play a better game on the bubble...I am getting a little loose at times. I guess that is a balance because being too tight on the bubble leads to blinding into 4th place, or at least making it difficult to money. So, I need to evaluate whether it is bad luck or bad strategy. I guess I was on the bubble with AK vs K6 and lost to my 3 outter...so it is more bad luck than anything...I like the way I am playing and think it will all come around...excited to be playing the $36s.
Monday, January 01, 2007
January 1, 2007!!
Well, a quick few thoughts before I start playing. I am going to try to grind as hard as possible for as long as possible. I need to see what I am capable of because I need to either give up poker or focus on it, but this half-assing has got to stop. I know I can make a good amount of money doing this, but the question has always been if my level of commitment is there. I am going to test that in 2007.
I am halfway to getting a new monitor to start 6-8 tabling. I would like to log about 500 sngs this month while I start to work out as well. Time to bring some discipline back into my life. I am going to try to clear my Full Tilt bonus as quickly as possible. I have been nickel and diming it down, but its time to clear it and start raking up the rakeback.
Here is a quick review of my revised goals for the year...
Full Tilt is down right now, but as soon as it gets back up to 25k+ players, i will start to 4-table.
I got my first 10 sngs in 2007 finished. I am down, but playing disciplined. Still surprised by the aggressive CALLING range that I see. I was called by 89 on the bubble. I think tightening up on the bubble might be in order due to this wide calling range...I also see a lot of King hi calls with kickers all the way down to 2. Getting in ahead and playing well...just need to keep doing what I am doing and I think I will be fine.
Took a beating tonight. Hoping that things will take a turn for me in the next few days. I think today I was able to play solid from the start...donked one sng off with a loose call early. I am finding that I get myself into good +EV situations, so I will take that as a good sign and continue to play this style. One thing to note, I often play slightly too loose when I first sit down...I need to be careful to sit down in a focused mindset...otherwise it takes me a set to realize that I need to pull back a bit. As I increase my volume of play, I am excited to see a hot streak all the way through. I often quit after a hot set...but it would be nice to keep playing and hopefully catch fire. Often, it isnt just the cards holding up, but you just get in the zone...I would like to see what happens when I log 3 hours in the zone :)
I am halfway to getting a new monitor to start 6-8 tabling. I would like to log about 500 sngs this month while I start to work out as well. Time to bring some discipline back into my life. I am going to try to clear my Full Tilt bonus as quickly as possible. I have been nickel and diming it down, but its time to clear it and start raking up the rakeback.
Here is a quick review of my revised goals for the year...
- DISCIPLINE!!!!
- Stay employed at my current job. I am starting a new job and would like to have some stability. As long as I am not going to be a full time poker pro, I might as well keep a decent day job.
- Win at least $20,000 playing poker (not including rakeback!)
- Enter at least 1 WSOP event - or play is larger buy in online tourneys with regularity.
- Move up to playing $109 sngs
- Hit my goals of playing 400 sngs a month. Moving up to 500-800 sngs a month as my game progresses.
- Enjoy my life more
- Appreciate my friends and family more
- Work out!!! Getting too fat!!
- DISCIPLINE!!!!
Full Tilt is down right now, but as soon as it gets back up to 25k+ players, i will start to 4-table.
I got my first 10 sngs in 2007 finished. I am down, but playing disciplined. Still surprised by the aggressive CALLING range that I see. I was called by 89 on the bubble. I think tightening up on the bubble might be in order due to this wide calling range...I also see a lot of King hi calls with kickers all the way down to 2. Getting in ahead and playing well...just need to keep doing what I am doing and I think I will be fine.
Took a beating tonight. Hoping that things will take a turn for me in the next few days. I think today I was able to play solid from the start...donked one sng off with a loose call early. I am finding that I get myself into good +EV situations, so I will take that as a good sign and continue to play this style. One thing to note, I often play slightly too loose when I first sit down...I need to be careful to sit down in a focused mindset...otherwise it takes me a set to realize that I need to pull back a bit. As I increase my volume of play, I am excited to see a hot streak all the way through. I often quit after a hot set...but it would be nice to keep playing and hopefully catch fire. Often, it isnt just the cards holding up, but you just get in the zone...I would like to see what happens when I log 3 hours in the zone :)
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
December 27, 2006
I have been steadily getting my bankroll back after a big night of losses before i went home at christmas. This game can be so infuriating when you are constantly trying to build...at some point it will feel good to have a certain bankroll and maybe skim every month...that would be ideal. but, until i get to that point, I will be obsessing over every loss.
I had a few unlucky situations tonight...I never sucked out and lost quite a few coin flips. i had a nasty one...i had QQ on bubble and was up against a pusher that just had me covered. I called, but the BB called too and he had us both covered. He turns over KQ and hits a river king. so, i ended up taking 4th...totally screwed! I didnt even spend enough time to think about it...i moved on to the next sng...i am even for the night...so gonna relax for a bit and maybe log some more sngs.
started a set...got to the bubble on each, bubbled on first 2 getting very unlucky....itm in the other 2...playing great! Just took one down...heads up in another...about even chip stacks. would be huge to take it down! my 88 lost to J9...so my final set was solid...getting too late to fire up any more...lets see where i stand. I won about $80...those bubbles sure did hurt. i am playing very patiently and laying down a lot of hands...
I am laying down big hands preflop into crazy aggression. I am not going to the coin flip early...I have laid down 10 10, 9 9, AQs, and various other smallish pocket pairs.
I am soo confident that I c ould add 2 more tables with very little drop off. I only think that i would struggle if i started to bubble in all 6 of them...which would be an awesome problem to have. still grinding away towards my new monitor...about halfway there.
Now that I am not messing around with less than 4 tables...I find that I can log a very high number of sngs...I cannot imagine 8-tabling...averaging 10-12 turbos an hour. I know some people 16-table...but i need to bask in the glory of 8-tabling and thinking about the numbers that landmark means. I cant wait until I move up levels and 8-table...baby, the cash will be coming!!
I had a few unlucky situations tonight...I never sucked out and lost quite a few coin flips. i had a nasty one...i had QQ on bubble and was up against a pusher that just had me covered. I called, but the BB called too and he had us both covered. He turns over KQ and hits a river king. so, i ended up taking 4th...totally screwed! I didnt even spend enough time to think about it...i moved on to the next sng...i am even for the night...so gonna relax for a bit and maybe log some more sngs.
started a set...got to the bubble on each, bubbled on first 2 getting very unlucky....itm in the other 2...playing great! Just took one down...heads up in another...about even chip stacks. would be huge to take it down! my 88 lost to J9...so my final set was solid...getting too late to fire up any more...lets see where i stand. I won about $80...those bubbles sure did hurt. i am playing very patiently and laying down a lot of hands...
I am laying down big hands preflop into crazy aggression. I am not going to the coin flip early...I have laid down 10 10, 9 9, AQs, and various other smallish pocket pairs.
I am soo confident that I c ould add 2 more tables with very little drop off. I only think that i would struggle if i started to bubble in all 6 of them...which would be an awesome problem to have. still grinding away towards my new monitor...about halfway there.
Now that I am not messing around with less than 4 tables...I find that I can log a very high number of sngs...I cannot imagine 8-tabling...averaging 10-12 turbos an hour. I know some people 16-table...but i need to bask in the glory of 8-tabling and thinking about the numbers that landmark means. I cant wait until I move up levels and 8-table...baby, the cash will be coming!!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
December 24, 2006
Played a little most of the nights when i have been at home. Done pretty well and my game is heating up right now. I have cashed in the last 4 sngs, going 1, 1, 3, 2. I am just over double my initial stack in the FT $35k Guaranteed. I am starting to concentrate a little more on my game...I hope I can use this focus to take my game to the next level again...I feel like I am going to be able to replicate what i did before...and that was build a very nice bankroll that i will no longer need to pull from...so i am very excited at the thought, but being realistic - I dont think I had the focus to pull it off. This break has been so good for me...i totally understand why people say you need a break or the value in taking one...
Anyway, i am doing well early in the tourney, updates to follow.
First break, I have 3210 in chips - just below the average of 3470. 584 of 1341 still remain...pays the top 216.
I needed to get some cards and I waited too long to be able to open it up a bit...so i ended up in a pretty good hand, but i did lose it. I had A8o in the bb and had one limper. 8 hi flop, we both checked, another undercard, I bet he calls, another undercard and i push, he calls with pocket 8s. Ugly one...i was obviously hoping he was holding a strong ace...
Now i realize why that was such a bad assumption. I should have known he wouldnt have played an AQ or AK like that preflop. that left overpairs, which he would also have bet preflop, so most likely middle pairs. I should have realized that most underpairs would have caught their sets or made a straight, so i should have either moved on the flop, which was fatal, or just fold to aggression...which i probably should have...which means i should have checked my hand and folded if he raised...which was originally the plan, until he checked...which i should have just checked it down...folding to any bet.
Anyway, i am doing well early in the tourney, updates to follow.
First break, I have 3210 in chips - just below the average of 3470. 584 of 1341 still remain...pays the top 216.
I needed to get some cards and I waited too long to be able to open it up a bit...so i ended up in a pretty good hand, but i did lose it. I had A8o in the bb and had one limper. 8 hi flop, we both checked, another undercard, I bet he calls, another undercard and i push, he calls with pocket 8s. Ugly one...i was obviously hoping he was holding a strong ace...
Now i realize why that was such a bad assumption. I should have known he wouldnt have played an AQ or AK like that preflop. that left overpairs, which he would also have bet preflop, so most likely middle pairs. I should have realized that most underpairs would have caught their sets or made a straight, so i should have either moved on the flop, which was fatal, or just fold to aggression...which i probably should have...which means i should have checked my hand and folded if he raised...which was originally the plan, until he checked...which i should have just checked it down...folding to any bet.
Friday, December 15, 2006
2006 Goal Revisited
As we close out 2005, my head is spinning how fast this year has gone by. All in all, it has been a good year. But, looking forward to 2006, I am so excited. I have a new job, set a lot of goals for myself, and a better attitude and perspective on things. So, as we start 2006, I wanted to list my goals and wish my friends a happy new year. My 2006 goals are as follows:
- DISCIPLINE!!!!
- Stay employed at my current job. I am starting a new job and would like to have some stability. As long as I am not going to be a full time poker pro, I might as well keep a decent day job.
- Win at least $25,000 playing poker (not including rakeback!)
- Enter at least 1 WSOP event
- Move up to playing $109 sngs
- Hit my goals of playing 250 sngs a month. Moving up to 400 sngs a month as my game progresses.
- Enjoy my life more
- Appreciate my friends and family more
- Work out!!! Getting too fat!!
- Get the software program I have been brainstorming moving along.
- DISCIPLINE!!!!
Good luck to all those setting goals. I hope we all achieve everything we set our minds to.
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I remember making this post. Ah, how I was into the game and had so much enthusiasm. It has faded a bit as the highs and lows have taken their toll on me. I know i havent logged as many sngs this entire year as some have in a month or two. thats part of my problem, the volume of play just isnt there yet, which is dedication, which is Discipline. so the real question is do i want it??
That is a great question. I cant even begin to answer that. i think the structure that a day job brings me is important, but I see other ways that i can obtain structure in my life...this year i am going to find out how deep my dedication and desire for poker is. right now, i have to say i have a 50/50 chance of making this post again next year. it isnt that i cant play or that i will crap out. i honestly believe that i can play this game profitably. the only question is can i log enough sngs to make it worthwhile, and in doing so, will it require more time than i am willing to give...those questions will indeed be answered later this year!
December 15, 2006
Tonight, I plan on logging some tables. I have been slacking this week. I guess I have been preoccupied thinking about going home and connecting with some friends I havent seen in a while...Plus, work has been pretty heavy.
However, that is no excuse. This weekend I plan on logging a bunch of sngs and hope to make back everything I lost last weekend during my terrible saturday night/sunday morning. I made back a little, but lets see if i can continue to get some luck and keep my play solid. I am just nervous until I can get my account up over the $1k mark because at that point I will finally feel confident that I will not crap out...until then, i feel like I am gambling and I dont like to gamble when poker is concerned...blackjack is one thing, but poker is not meant to be gambling.
However, that is no excuse. This weekend I plan on logging a bunch of sngs and hope to make back everything I lost last weekend during my terrible saturday night/sunday morning. I made back a little, but lets see if i can continue to get some luck and keep my play solid. I am just nervous until I can get my account up over the $1k mark because at that point I will finally feel confident that I will not crap out...until then, i feel like I am gambling and I dont like to gamble when poker is concerned...blackjack is one thing, but poker is not meant to be gambling.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
December 14, 2006
there is a little party at work, but it doesnt start until 7 or 7:30...not sure if i want to stick around or not. I am past the phase where I feel like i am missing out...ive been to soo many parties and get bored pretty easily at them. I have hung out with hot drunk girls and stupid drunk guys before and the novelty has worn off...plus, I really dont want to be driving home wasted. Plus, its work-related. sure, i work in the corporate office, so none of the people I actually work with will be there, but word travels fast...and doing stupid things here is actually more like a badge of honor than something to hang your head in shame over...still on the fence.
As for poker, I need to get my tables in. I really wanted to qualify for one of the iron man challenge freerolls on full tilt...i made great progress, but the last few days off have pissed it away. I am still on target, but with the holidays coming up, who knows if i will be able to finish the month off strong. I am kinda looking forward to playing on stars too, so i need to clear the FT bonus because it is an amazing rakeback deal...and stars has no rakeback, so it would be silly not to clear the bonus before bailing...lets see what happens tonight.
As for poker, I need to get my tables in. I really wanted to qualify for one of the iron man challenge freerolls on full tilt...i made great progress, but the last few days off have pissed it away. I am still on target, but with the holidays coming up, who knows if i will be able to finish the month off strong. I am kinda looking forward to playing on stars too, so i need to clear the FT bonus because it is an amazing rakeback deal...and stars has no rakeback, so it would be silly not to clear the bonus before bailing...lets see what happens tonight.
Monday, December 11, 2006
December 10, 2006
Horrible luck is holding off until after teh bubble tonight. i have taken two nasty ones when we get into the money...lost A10s to A5o and JJ to A10s.
I figured I am going to continue to log a decent number of sngs every night until I either crap out or make a good run. Obviously, i hope not to crap out, but then again, unless i dont start to make some progress i might be better off doing something else with my very limited free time.
I need to keep things in perspective. I have never been able to log as many sngs as many of the 2+2 posters. they show their monthly stats and their downswings can often number more sngs that i log in a month...however they have huge upswings as well. I just need to hang in there and go with the flow of the game. I feel underbankrolled...so i am gonna stick with the $24s until I hit $1200, then i will start splitting up my tables...half 24s and half 36s. I am happy with the number of sngs I have logged so far...i would say close to 100. i am trying so hard to get my rakeback up to $300...right now it stands about $100, but if i can clear that full tilt bonus soon, i will continue to play there until i get $300 and then move to Poker Stars.
I figured I am going to continue to log a decent number of sngs every night until I either crap out or make a good run. Obviously, i hope not to crap out, but then again, unless i dont start to make some progress i might be better off doing something else with my very limited free time.
I need to keep things in perspective. I have never been able to log as many sngs as many of the 2+2 posters. they show their monthly stats and their downswings can often number more sngs that i log in a month...however they have huge upswings as well. I just need to hang in there and go with the flow of the game. I feel underbankrolled...so i am gonna stick with the $24s until I hit $1200, then i will start splitting up my tables...half 24s and half 36s. I am happy with the number of sngs I have logged so far...i would say close to 100. i am trying so hard to get my rakeback up to $300...right now it stands about $100, but if i can clear that full tilt bonus soon, i will continue to play there until i get $300 and then move to Poker Stars.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
December 9, 2006
Not a great start...still at it. Going through card dead stretches. Tonight, i have been staying out of the way because I am not getting a lot of quality starting hands. The action is fast and furious, making me even less likely to open or enter a pot. but, even when you are a spectator you experience variance. lots of double ups for the small stack. Again, i am continually amazing with the level of play. people calling pushes on the bubble with Jack high. I took 3rd when my K7 was called preflop by J10. I hit my king, but he hit runner runner flush.
not sure if I am going to continue playing tonight...thinking about it. I think i am gonna take a break and fire some up later.
I just cant believe this shit...i raise with AQ and get called. I flop an ace...on the turn i get him all in and he shows QQ...I hav eAQ, and he hits the 1 outter!
Up and down...getting in good, so cant be upset with my play. just lost my JJ to AQ...i wish they could just flop the Ace...actually I had a flush draw on the turn...and the queen hits on the river. gotta stay focused and keep grinding...volume is the key, so variance is a part of the game...this is a heavy dose...so i just gotta get used to it. you know, i am realizing that playing is learning to deal with it every day, not just every so often...when you play 20-30+ sngs a day...you run into it more often than you can avoid it!
The queen on the river has FUCKED me so many times tonight. I was on the bubble, 2nd stacked and the big stack min raised...i called. flop is all blanks and i hit my 9 on the turn to give me a set...i push, he calls with QQ. FUCKING QUEEN ON THE RIVER AND I BUST! i just dont understand how this can keep fucking happening. I better go on one hell of a winning streak to make up for this bullshit!
Truly unreal tonight...i bubble every time as the shorty keeps sucking out on the bubble and i get fucked! full tilt is fucked!
I dont know if i can play poker...i just dont know. i can play the tables, i can get in ahead, i can log a shit load of time and get my volume up, but these nights where idiots make plays and get paid all night long are just insane. I know it isnt the site...i mean, come on, but it just doesnt seem right. i can believe how bad these players are. i should be dominating them and i just dont know what to do anymore. i will play a shit load tomorrow and either crap out or make some back.
not sure if I am going to continue playing tonight...thinking about it. I think i am gonna take a break and fire some up later.
I just cant believe this shit...i raise with AQ and get called. I flop an ace...on the turn i get him all in and he shows QQ...I hav eAQ, and he hits the 1 outter!
Up and down...getting in good, so cant be upset with my play. just lost my JJ to AQ...i wish they could just flop the Ace...actually I had a flush draw on the turn...and the queen hits on the river. gotta stay focused and keep grinding...volume is the key, so variance is a part of the game...this is a heavy dose...so i just gotta get used to it. you know, i am realizing that playing is learning to deal with it every day, not just every so often...when you play 20-30+ sngs a day...you run into it more often than you can avoid it!
The queen on the river has FUCKED me so many times tonight. I was on the bubble, 2nd stacked and the big stack min raised...i called. flop is all blanks and i hit my 9 on the turn to give me a set...i push, he calls with QQ. FUCKING QUEEN ON THE RIVER AND I BUST! i just dont understand how this can keep fucking happening. I better go on one hell of a winning streak to make up for this bullshit!
Truly unreal tonight...i bubble every time as the shorty keeps sucking out on the bubble and i get fucked! full tilt is fucked!
I dont know if i can play poker...i just dont know. i can play the tables, i can get in ahead, i can log a shit load of time and get my volume up, but these nights where idiots make plays and get paid all night long are just insane. I know it isnt the site...i mean, come on, but it just doesnt seem right. i can believe how bad these players are. i should be dominating them and i just dont know what to do anymore. i will play a shit load tomorrow and either crap out or make some back.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
December 7, 2006
horrible run so far tonight...every donk is hitting their hands. called with 76 on bubble and i hit my pair only to get sucked out on...just terrible. trying to stick with it, but i think im down at least 10 buy ins already.
rough night...i keeplosing the important hands...on the bubble or near it when i get in good and my hands dont hold up...sticking with it...still playing well. i was playing poorly early, but i adjusted and now am getting deep in most sngs...trying to dig outta the hole.
Took one down...so cashed in a couple tonight...gonna fire up a few more.
wow, I quite possibly had the best finish to a night. I fired up 4 sngs to try to dig out of the hole...# $22s and a $36. I took 2nd in the $36, 2 firsts and a third i believe to finish the night up. I wsa down a lot...i would say over 250, not quite sure, but i won like 4 bucks, and released a $20 bonus, so ended up over 24 bucks...not a lot, but considering the start, pretty amazing...plus rakeback baby!
rough night...i keeplosing the important hands...on the bubble or near it when i get in good and my hands dont hold up...sticking with it...still playing well. i was playing poorly early, but i adjusted and now am getting deep in most sngs...trying to dig outta the hole.
Took one down...so cashed in a couple tonight...gonna fire up a few more.
wow, I quite possibly had the best finish to a night. I fired up 4 sngs to try to dig out of the hole...# $22s and a $36. I took 2nd in the $36, 2 firsts and a third i believe to finish the night up. I wsa down a lot...i would say over 250, not quite sure, but i won like 4 bucks, and released a $20 bonus, so ended up over 24 bucks...not a lot, but considering the start, pretty amazing...plus rakeback baby!
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