Well my last post was pretty downbeat I guess and I ended up questioning the meaning of life, as I frequently do! I discussed it with my old man, my mum, my best mate and my girlfriend, all of whom gave me slightly and very different responses! TY!
The younger of the quadrant took the line "you are only 20 once". The elder, unsurprisingly, went with "you are growing up, you just want it all and thats impossible". My mum was, however, more sympathetic.
Anyway, I think I got the sympathy vote in the end, as I get the car down here for 3 weeks while my parents sod off to Bulgaria. That makes me slightly happier as I can, at any moment, jump in the car and go to see mates or just chill at home (albeit alone again but in a different and more chilled environment).
I have given it some more thought and will continue to do so but if I stick at it I can earn ridiculous amounts of money (for someone in my position) this summer, as well as giving myself a good pedestal to work from with future employment. It will enable me to do so so much more next summer. Plus, I generally get the impression that a lot of these things end up being all talk anyway i.e. "omg this summer is gonna be so immense, gonna do this this that and that". Well great yeh, would love it but I could jack in a well paid job, lose a flat or pay through the nose to keep it and then nobody, me included, has any money to do anything anyway! Would sooner pay for everyone's train fares to come and crash at mine for the weekend...
So yeh, for now, I shall stick at it but I have a ton of other stuff to figure out anyway. Sky + is being installed on Friday though so things are on the up! WOO!
On the poker front, lost AQ against A8 for a big stack in the 250k last night, on Stars. Pretty standard and all the rest of it but annoying cos I would almost definately have cashed again and could have gone deeper..Still, maybe a blessing in disguise cos I felt like horseshit this morning and I didn't even play beyond the 11pm mark...:S
Going to make a point of heading to the Vic this week, as soon as I get ze money clear in my account. Also in the process of setting up a second student overdraft account, purely for poker...gonna set myself up for it in September, now I know where I am.
Hopefully this blog will turn back into pure poker talk soon! Its been pretty shit cos I haven't had a chance to play, went straight onto the London Eye after work so drained yet again but my body clock is still on Tenerife hours :(
Anyway, the post-holiday depression fazes are fading so hopefully by the end of the week I'll be playing considerably more!!! GL
Monday 29 June 2009
Saturday 27 June 2009
Reality Check
Back in London after a truly immense week in Tenerife.
Was quite easily the best week I have ever had, day after day it just got better. Unfortunately by the end I was physically drained...all the early starts with work and all nighters in Tenerife caught up with me come Wednesday.
Thought a lot about it in the 24 hours that I have been back, which I guess is pretty standard having just got back from holiday. However, during that time I had a couple of conversations with a couple of different mates that touched on the fact that I have "grown up" a bit early. Living with girlfriend at 20, privately renting my own flat, working 8.30-7pm in a business consultancy firm, putting money aside for various ventures I would like to implement. Thinking about the future. The feedback from those mates was generally positive and perhaps admirable.
However, I have since had a similar conversation with the mrs, she has no idea where she will be in a years time or two, thus putting the future of our relationship in complete jeopardy and uncertainty. I took this as a complete insult as I am effectively working 10 hour days to enable us to live together (obv for my own gain too but without me working we wouldn't be living together. Too long a story to explain...) I have made two MASSIVE, life-changing decisions based on her. Am I a mug I thought? Am I a nit and thinking too far ahead and should live for today?
Well, I have now been sitting listening to boom boom shake shake now drop for the past hour and come up with a few more short term plans.
1) Last week saw me be the happiest I have been since Brighton, July 2007, arguably.
2) I have seen my mates as a group like that less than 5 times since then
3) My brother is 15 and his mates are more of a brother to him
4) I rarely see my parents and I used to be INSANELY family orientated
5) My parents moved house in Dec 2008 and I have stayed in that house for less than 13 nights and never consecutively for more than 4 (worked it out)
6) Effort > Reward in terms of my relationship. I also put in more than she does (arrogant)
Basically, I am going to think some more over the next week so its not a knee-jerk reaction but I am SERIOUSLY considering jacking in work this week, working my notice, ending tenancy on flat (perhaps) or just paying for it and being skint and fucking off back home to Shropshire to see family and mates, those that matter. London mates are temporary and are effectively a poor substitute.
I am 20, practically. I will never be 20 again. Guess thats the bottom line.
On the poker front, did alright sn the home games, up until the last game, which had a higher buy in, putting me into a minor minor loss for the week. Plus note is that Jon won. Not sure how thats a plus for me but whatever!
Weren't quite as intent or proper as they once were but they were a laugh nonetheless.
Gonna try and satellite into a few sunday majors tomorrow and then play a few hands on ze cash.
Otherwise, nothing to report! GL
Was quite easily the best week I have ever had, day after day it just got better. Unfortunately by the end I was physically drained...all the early starts with work and all nighters in Tenerife caught up with me come Wednesday.
Thought a lot about it in the 24 hours that I have been back, which I guess is pretty standard having just got back from holiday. However, during that time I had a couple of conversations with a couple of different mates that touched on the fact that I have "grown up" a bit early. Living with girlfriend at 20, privately renting my own flat, working 8.30-7pm in a business consultancy firm, putting money aside for various ventures I would like to implement. Thinking about the future. The feedback from those mates was generally positive and perhaps admirable.
However, I have since had a similar conversation with the mrs, she has no idea where she will be in a years time or two, thus putting the future of our relationship in complete jeopardy and uncertainty. I took this as a complete insult as I am effectively working 10 hour days to enable us to live together (obv for my own gain too but without me working we wouldn't be living together. Too long a story to explain...) I have made two MASSIVE, life-changing decisions based on her. Am I a mug I thought? Am I a nit and thinking too far ahead and should live for today?
Well, I have now been sitting listening to boom boom shake shake now drop for the past hour and come up with a few more short term plans.
1) Last week saw me be the happiest I have been since Brighton, July 2007, arguably.
2) I have seen my mates as a group like that less than 5 times since then
3) My brother is 15 and his mates are more of a brother to him
4) I rarely see my parents and I used to be INSANELY family orientated
5) My parents moved house in Dec 2008 and I have stayed in that house for less than 13 nights and never consecutively for more than 4 (worked it out)
6) Effort > Reward in terms of my relationship. I also put in more than she does (arrogant)
Basically, I am going to think some more over the next week so its not a knee-jerk reaction but I am SERIOUSLY considering jacking in work this week, working my notice, ending tenancy on flat (perhaps) or just paying for it and being skint and fucking off back home to Shropshire to see family and mates, those that matter. London mates are temporary and are effectively a poor substitute.
I am 20, practically. I will never be 20 again. Guess thats the bottom line.
On the poker front, did alright sn the home games, up until the last game, which had a higher buy in, putting me into a minor minor loss for the week. Plus note is that Jon won. Not sure how thats a plus for me but whatever!
Weren't quite as intent or proper as they once were but they were a laugh nonetheless.
Gonna try and satellite into a few sunday majors tomorrow and then play a few hands on ze cash.
Otherwise, nothing to report! GL
Thursday 18 June 2009
To the promised land....
Well, I am off. Shortly leaving to go to Manchester before jetting off to Tenerife for a week, absolutely pumped!
I am hoping and perhaps expecting that me and Jon take a trip to a casino while we are out there, something different and maybe make some spending money from the Spanish or drunk tourists!
If not, i am 100% confident that there will be numerous home games, albeit for insignificant amounts. Looking forward to that..just chilling on the balcony playing some cards, we haven't done it for ages.
Haven't played on Stars since my last post now but I still managed to watch my roll grow..
As you know I got into the final 2000 or so of the $250k the other night for a $21 cash. Well I got an email from Stars and they cocked it up a bit. Had some sort of defect during the tournament but in a nutshell...I moved up the standings by about 100 places, thus taking me into the next payout level. Obviously it was a relatively insignificant amount but it takes my roll up to $45.
Absolutely chuffed to bits with that and my ability to steer clear of rampaging. In days gone by that would now have got my 2 min sit downs on 50/1 and see where I can go! Happy I haven't done that. Although I am kind of tempted to see where I can get with it, particularly as the roll has been grinded from literally nothing so any loss is completely ineffective on a psychological level.
Hopefully have moments on the holiday to chill and think a bit about poker and chat about it with Jon so maybe when I am back there will be a new post with some clear direction to it.
GL!
I am hoping and perhaps expecting that me and Jon take a trip to a casino while we are out there, something different and maybe make some spending money from the Spanish or drunk tourists!
If not, i am 100% confident that there will be numerous home games, albeit for insignificant amounts. Looking forward to that..just chilling on the balcony playing some cards, we haven't done it for ages.
Haven't played on Stars since my last post now but I still managed to watch my roll grow..
As you know I got into the final 2000 or so of the $250k the other night for a $21 cash. Well I got an email from Stars and they cocked it up a bit. Had some sort of defect during the tournament but in a nutshell...I moved up the standings by about 100 places, thus taking me into the next payout level. Obviously it was a relatively insignificant amount but it takes my roll up to $45.
Absolutely chuffed to bits with that and my ability to steer clear of rampaging. In days gone by that would now have got my 2 min sit downs on 50/1 and see where I can go! Happy I haven't done that. Although I am kind of tempted to see where I can get with it, particularly as the roll has been grinded from literally nothing so any loss is completely ineffective on a psychological level.
Hopefully have moments on the holiday to chill and think a bit about poker and chat about it with Jon so maybe when I am back there will be a new post with some clear direction to it.
GL!
Monday 15 June 2009
A Mixed Day
Well today was extremely odd, it had more highs and lows than a pole vault..
On the one hand I got paid at work, which was basically my wages from last week plus my wages until I get back from Tenerife, so it was a handsome amount. Also got a bit of a windfall in other areas so on a personal financial level things are looking on the up.
However, having some trouble with landlords (who doesn't) so now just got another thing added to my to-do-list and after working a 10 hour day the last thing I want to do is then go and worry about something else. Then the girlfriend pisses me off and I generally enter one of my moods and just think about anything and everything, (what am i doing here, why am i working and everyone else having fun, am i too 'old' and 'serious' in my own mind, is she right for me, what if results go bad again etc etc etc..just go on a life crash course sort of thing in a few hours). Then work piled on a massive set of targets in relation to this project. On the one hand I love this cos they have put a lot of trust in me, having been there a week or so, so I think they are pleased with me and I like that they think I am commercially aware, stands me in good stead. On the other hand its just tonnes of stress. Wanted to play a lot of poker this summer but its just not happening. Seriously looking forward to Thursday and just getting away, as much as I will probably come back more tired than when I go out there, I think I'll feel strangely relaxed.
Anyway, ended up playing for an hour or so tonight. Firstly booted up 2c/5c and played a few hands, sunk $5 when some guy 2 outered me, just turned it off at that point..already in a bad mood so just though fuck it. Then Jack asked if I wanted to play a few hands, so I did. Loaded up 1c/2c and did alright..earnt about $7! So now the roll is up to $40! wooop. Comical watching Jack stack off as well, after he thought he was durrr, lovely stuff.
GL and hopefully tomorrow will be a more upbeat post! Oh and congrats to Jon for going deeeep, again, in the $5r last night. Your day will come, again, sir. When you roll yourself it will come quicker..
On the one hand I got paid at work, which was basically my wages from last week plus my wages until I get back from Tenerife, so it was a handsome amount. Also got a bit of a windfall in other areas so on a personal financial level things are looking on the up.
However, having some trouble with landlords (who doesn't) so now just got another thing added to my to-do-list and after working a 10 hour day the last thing I want to do is then go and worry about something else. Then the girlfriend pisses me off and I generally enter one of my moods and just think about anything and everything, (what am i doing here, why am i working and everyone else having fun, am i too 'old' and 'serious' in my own mind, is she right for me, what if results go bad again etc etc etc..just go on a life crash course sort of thing in a few hours). Then work piled on a massive set of targets in relation to this project. On the one hand I love this cos they have put a lot of trust in me, having been there a week or so, so I think they are pleased with me and I like that they think I am commercially aware, stands me in good stead. On the other hand its just tonnes of stress. Wanted to play a lot of poker this summer but its just not happening. Seriously looking forward to Thursday and just getting away, as much as I will probably come back more tired than when I go out there, I think I'll feel strangely relaxed.
Anyway, ended up playing for an hour or so tonight. Firstly booted up 2c/5c and played a few hands, sunk $5 when some guy 2 outered me, just turned it off at that point..already in a bad mood so just though fuck it. Then Jack asked if I wanted to play a few hands, so I did. Loaded up 1c/2c and did alright..earnt about $7! So now the roll is up to $40! wooop. Comical watching Jack stack off as well, after he thought he was durrr, lovely stuff.
GL and hopefully tomorrow will be a more upbeat post! Oh and congrats to Jon for going deeeep, again, in the $5r last night. Your day will come, again, sir. When you roll yourself it will come quicker..
Sunday 14 June 2009
$250k!
Well thanks to Jon I gave into temptation and played the Sunday $250k on Stars, having grinded a bit this afternoon.
Had a nice session on 2c/5c and got the roll up to $16, then my soft spot for tournaments got the better of me. HOWEVER, I did satellite in (otherwise the $11 buy in would be a stupid move).
So, despite making a hideous hideous play to bust out I managed to cash for $21 and bust in 2000 odd. Tournament seemed to go faster than memory though, which I found irritating. Had a nice stack at a couple of points in the tournament but average was increasing rapidly. Had already reached the min cash levels at the 2nd break! Sure that never used to be the case...
Unfortunately I was railing Jon in his tournaments and completely took my eye off the ball, just played the hand all wrong and went busto. This is something else I need to work on cos I can go deep in tournaments, I can build up stacks early on but then I just let myself go, got music on or railing Jon and just end up losing complete focus. Or, I don't have the balls to follow my instinct and make the RIGHT play. Still, I think actually having a roll as such will help with this. Obviously I don't really have one now but by the end of the summer I hope to have enough to make a decent deposit and play some good poker and get a good sample size in. More on that later though!
When I bust out of a tournament that I am rolled for I think I could learn more from it rather than worry about the money I just spanked.
Anyway, back to the real grind of work tomorrow so best leave it at that for the night. Roll up to $37 though, which I am really happy about. Hopefully be able to get a few more hands in before Tenerife and then make a sizeable deposit when I get back!
GL
Had a nice session on 2c/5c and got the roll up to $16, then my soft spot for tournaments got the better of me. HOWEVER, I did satellite in (otherwise the $11 buy in would be a stupid move).
So, despite making a hideous hideous play to bust out I managed to cash for $21 and bust in 2000 odd. Tournament seemed to go faster than memory though, which I found irritating. Had a nice stack at a couple of points in the tournament but average was increasing rapidly. Had already reached the min cash levels at the 2nd break! Sure that never used to be the case...
Unfortunately I was railing Jon in his tournaments and completely took my eye off the ball, just played the hand all wrong and went busto. This is something else I need to work on cos I can go deep in tournaments, I can build up stacks early on but then I just let myself go, got music on or railing Jon and just end up losing complete focus. Or, I don't have the balls to follow my instinct and make the RIGHT play. Still, I think actually having a roll as such will help with this. Obviously I don't really have one now but by the end of the summer I hope to have enough to make a decent deposit and play some good poker and get a good sample size in. More on that later though!
When I bust out of a tournament that I am rolled for I think I could learn more from it rather than worry about the money I just spanked.
Anyway, back to the real grind of work tomorrow so best leave it at that for the night. Roll up to $37 though, which I am really happy about. Hopefully be able to get a few more hands in before Tenerife and then make a sizeable deposit when I get back!
GL
Afternoon session..
Managed to squeeze a few hours in this morning in between running a few errands and what not.
"Roll" is now up to $16! What a grind.. Being really good about it though, thinking about each and every hand (hard to do when you're playing 2c/5c!) and not slamming the $16 down on 50nl or entering some tournament. Hopefully my persistence will pay off...
Came very close to registering for tonight's 250k mind you!
Praying that I get some good news next Monday, results wise, then I will get a bit of a windfall and intend to hit the Vic with it. Got a weeks wages under my belt now too, just a shame my rent has to be paid on Friday :(. Basically all a bit of a mess on the financial front so it has a knock-on effect on poker...unable to play at the level I want to be playing at! Still, I left the $3 on there cos it allows me to get my "fix" and play a few hands in the evenings after work. Will continue to do that until money or time at my disposal increases!
Going to have another session later but for the last 2 weeks I've been living like an absolute bachelor so the place is a tip and needs sorting before the mrs returns whilst I am in Tenerife.. Damn responsibilities suck. Degen day and night plz....
"Roll" is now up to $16! What a grind.. Being really good about it though, thinking about each and every hand (hard to do when you're playing 2c/5c!) and not slamming the $16 down on 50nl or entering some tournament. Hopefully my persistence will pay off...
Came very close to registering for tonight's 250k mind you!
Praying that I get some good news next Monday, results wise, then I will get a bit of a windfall and intend to hit the Vic with it. Got a weeks wages under my belt now too, just a shame my rent has to be paid on Friday :(. Basically all a bit of a mess on the financial front so it has a knock-on effect on poker...unable to play at the level I want to be playing at! Still, I left the $3 on there cos it allows me to get my "fix" and play a few hands in the evenings after work. Will continue to do that until money or time at my disposal increases!
Going to have another session later but for the last 2 weeks I've been living like an absolute bachelor so the place is a tip and needs sorting before the mrs returns whilst I am in Tenerife.. Damn responsibilities suck. Degen day and night plz....
Saturday 13 June 2009
What to do?
Well this weekend wasn't as productive as one would have hoped, on the poker front at least.
I had a little session on Friday and it was actually a losing session..down to about $12 (god it tilts me when I only enter two digits for a roll).
I planned to have a relaxing weekend, spend no money, get ready for Tenerife and refresh myself for work again on Monday. Well, at 3pm on Friday I checked my uni email and the SU had informed us all that "all stock must go, closing for the summer, all drinks £1". Naturally I felt obliged to support the university in their endeavours! Although, this was only between the hours of 4pm and 10pm and I didn't get there until 8.30pm. Something strangely satisfying about going up to the bar and ordering 9 budweisers though, AND getting change from the £10 I paid with!!
So after that we headed to the greatest place on earth-Brick Lane and 'Exit'. Most immense bar playing nothing but awesome house music. Love it. However, a bunch of other mates met us but weren't allowed in cos there was too large a group of them, so we went to another bar, had a few rounds of shots. I mention this cos it was funny..4 of the group bought a round of sambucca for us all. We each paid a different price everytime. Hilarious. Ended up having a prop bet at what the girls in the group could get it for.
Then we went on a mission to find this bar we know of, which remains open until sunrise and beyond (current place shut at 2). We found it! At 6am I proceeded to bargain with a taxi driver and go home.
The bottom line...today was a write off, damn good night though!
Now been invited to the Vic tonight also for a session. Really angry, wish I'd been told yesterday! Made a reluctant decision to decline the invitation :( Didn't feel I would be playing my best and also have so so much to do before the holiday and I am shattered. So, another brief session online beckons...
I had a little session on Friday and it was actually a losing session..down to about $12 (god it tilts me when I only enter two digits for a roll).
I planned to have a relaxing weekend, spend no money, get ready for Tenerife and refresh myself for work again on Monday. Well, at 3pm on Friday I checked my uni email and the SU had informed us all that "all stock must go, closing for the summer, all drinks £1". Naturally I felt obliged to support the university in their endeavours! Although, this was only between the hours of 4pm and 10pm and I didn't get there until 8.30pm. Something strangely satisfying about going up to the bar and ordering 9 budweisers though, AND getting change from the £10 I paid with!!
So after that we headed to the greatest place on earth-Brick Lane and 'Exit'. Most immense bar playing nothing but awesome house music. Love it. However, a bunch of other mates met us but weren't allowed in cos there was too large a group of them, so we went to another bar, had a few rounds of shots. I mention this cos it was funny..4 of the group bought a round of sambucca for us all. We each paid a different price everytime. Hilarious. Ended up having a prop bet at what the girls in the group could get it for.
Then we went on a mission to find this bar we know of, which remains open until sunrise and beyond (current place shut at 2). We found it! At 6am I proceeded to bargain with a taxi driver and go home.
The bottom line...today was a write off, damn good night though!
Now been invited to the Vic tonight also for a session. Really angry, wish I'd been told yesterday! Made a reluctant decision to decline the invitation :( Didn't feel I would be playing my best and also have so so much to do before the holiday and I am shattered. So, another brief session online beckons...
Friday 12 June 2009
The Weekend!!
Well, good news...I'm not in work today so I can spend a full afternoon on the grind. Got a lot to sort out before I go away to Tenerife next week but hoping to get a good 5 hours in this afternoon and see where I can get this $15 up to.
Also got no plans on the weekend, as usual, so looking to slip a good few hours in.
I think this current "bankroll", if you can call it that, is more of an experiment. I am generally getting a feel for 2c/5c and earning as I go. I have never grinded that stake, only 10nl, yet when/if I deposit I think it will be to roll myself for 2c/5c. Like I said before, with work its almost impossible to find the time and energy to play in the morning so I have decided not to deposit anymore until I have more time, which unfortunately may not be until uni starts up again. I would have deposited something in the region of £200, so instead of doing that I think I am going to use that money for more trips to the Vic and the cash games as well as the odd tournament. Also want to enquire more about the Loose Cannon cos I think they have some regular 50NL games down there... Hopefully the feeble amount I do have online can continue to increase, along with my live cash success at the Vic and maybe just maybe, I will stop bubbling tournaments and take something down this summer!!
Its also been frustrating to learn that Jon spanked his latest roll. Having deposited $70 he got it up to $115 I believe before being drawn to $1/$2 cash...again. It lasted a whole 3 days but I am sure we can find some sort of excuse in there somewhere..;)
Funny how we both said that DTD had a big impact on the weekend and this would be a turning point, next.....
Also got no plans on the weekend, as usual, so looking to slip a good few hours in.
I think this current "bankroll", if you can call it that, is more of an experiment. I am generally getting a feel for 2c/5c and earning as I go. I have never grinded that stake, only 10nl, yet when/if I deposit I think it will be to roll myself for 2c/5c. Like I said before, with work its almost impossible to find the time and energy to play in the morning so I have decided not to deposit anymore until I have more time, which unfortunately may not be until uni starts up again. I would have deposited something in the region of £200, so instead of doing that I think I am going to use that money for more trips to the Vic and the cash games as well as the odd tournament. Also want to enquire more about the Loose Cannon cos I think they have some regular 50NL games down there... Hopefully the feeble amount I do have online can continue to increase, along with my live cash success at the Vic and maybe just maybe, I will stop bubbling tournaments and take something down this summer!!
Its also been frustrating to learn that Jon spanked his latest roll. Having deposited $70 he got it up to $115 I believe before being drawn to $1/$2 cash...again. It lasted a whole 3 days but I am sure we can find some sort of excuse in there somewhere..;)
Funny how we both said that DTD had a big impact on the weekend and this would be a turning point, next.....
Week 1
Well due to work I haven't really played that much at all. However, having got up to $13 I had that buzz you always get when your cashier is only heading in one direction. So on Thursday night I put in another half an hour on 2c/5c, this time getting up to $15.
During that time I made an observation. I know it is generally a very soft stake and full of some very bad players. However, in the couple of hours I have now been playing, although a small sample size, I have hardly lost a hand. At the moment I am silver star due to a recent Stars' promotions. On 2c/5c the players seem to like showing everyone the fact that they are bronze stars (despite everyone being so!). I had that feature turned off but I elected to turn it on half way through the "big" session on Tuesday night. I began to notice a difference and was getting more respect.
One player, 'taxituna' seemed to be a bit of a table captain and the aggressor more often than not. He led out in utg +1, with 2 callers from MP, I made a large raise from the button with JTdd and he flat called. The board fell 3c6c3h, he led out. I re-raised and he tanked before folding and telling me he had JJ but felt I had aces or kings. I take that with a pinch of salt obv but it definately became apparent that this guy was unsure about playing me when I am showing that much aggression...I felt the move was right at that time but I also elected to do it because I seemed to be getting more respect and less resistance.
Hopefully I can continue this...
During that time I made an observation. I know it is generally a very soft stake and full of some very bad players. However, in the couple of hours I have now been playing, although a small sample size, I have hardly lost a hand. At the moment I am silver star due to a recent Stars' promotions. On 2c/5c the players seem to like showing everyone the fact that they are bronze stars (despite everyone being so!). I had that feature turned off but I elected to turn it on half way through the "big" session on Tuesday night. I began to notice a difference and was getting more respect.
One player, 'taxituna' seemed to be a bit of a table captain and the aggressor more often than not. He led out in utg +1, with 2 callers from MP, I made a large raise from the button with JTdd and he flat called. The board fell 3c6c3h, he led out. I re-raised and he tanked before folding and telling me he had JJ but felt I had aces or kings. I take that with a pinch of salt obv but it definately became apparent that this guy was unsure about playing me when I am showing that much aggression...I felt the move was right at that time but I also elected to do it because I seemed to be getting more respect and less resistance.
Hopefully I can continue this...
Tuesday 9 June 2009
The Beginning
Its all bad timing really cos I have just started working full-time for a business research and consultancy firm in the heart of London. Unfortunately that means being very adaptable and flexible with timings but generally means I am in the office for 8.30am and leave at 6.30pm. I under-estimated the toll this would have on me but I certainly don't have the energy to go and grind, as I thought I would.
That said, its a damn good wage and there are loads of bonus incentives for me to aim for each month, which I can pump straight into poker as the wage is more than enough for me to live off. There is also one lump sum paid at the end of my contract if I am successful with an exclusive project I have been given.
My thoughts now are to deposit that straight away, or make it my live/online roll in September/October. A big mistake I have always made within poker is not utilising my ability and utilising my rolls that I have had. I am not going to make the same mistake now... Initially I wanted to make a big deposit but I know longer see the point as I won't physically be able to play more than 10-15 hours per week and certainly won't be playing my A-game on the weekends.
So, I had $53 left on Stars and took almost all of it off this evening and just thought I would see if I can get anywhere with the $3. I 1-tabled 2c/5c initially and added tables as I went. I finished the night off 3-tabling and I now have $13.65 to work with. Very happy with that.
2 main hands...flopped trips in a multi-way pot when able to check my option.
Got a set paid off with some donk chasing a gutshot.
Otherwise there were just a lot of limpers and position raises, extremely easy to pick off and just grind my stack up.
Going to have to think about what I am going to do this summer but given my winrate at the Vic I may elect to play there more often, head there straight from work, and put 60% of winnings towards an online roll when I have more time. When I have the urge to play I shall continue to grind this $13 up. See where we go!
Not quite sure yet.
Not going to make any deposit till July though as I am off to Tenerife with the lads next week!! WOOO. Maybe take some foreigners money out there...;)
That said, its a damn good wage and there are loads of bonus incentives for me to aim for each month, which I can pump straight into poker as the wage is more than enough for me to live off. There is also one lump sum paid at the end of my contract if I am successful with an exclusive project I have been given.
My thoughts now are to deposit that straight away, or make it my live/online roll in September/October. A big mistake I have always made within poker is not utilising my ability and utilising my rolls that I have had. I am not going to make the same mistake now... Initially I wanted to make a big deposit but I know longer see the point as I won't physically be able to play more than 10-15 hours per week and certainly won't be playing my A-game on the weekends.
So, I had $53 left on Stars and took almost all of it off this evening and just thought I would see if I can get anywhere with the $3. I 1-tabled 2c/5c initially and added tables as I went. I finished the night off 3-tabling and I now have $13.65 to work with. Very happy with that.
2 main hands...flopped trips in a multi-way pot when able to check my option.
Got a set paid off with some donk chasing a gutshot.
Otherwise there were just a lot of limpers and position raises, extremely easy to pick off and just grind my stack up.
Going to have to think about what I am going to do this summer but given my winrate at the Vic I may elect to play there more often, head there straight from work, and put 60% of winnings towards an online roll when I have more time. When I have the urge to play I shall continue to grind this $13 up. See where we go!
Not quite sure yet.
Not going to make any deposit till July though as I am off to Tenerife with the lads next week!! WOOO. Maybe take some foreigners money out there...;)
Monday 8 June 2009
History
Ok, rewind.
I basically got into poker through home games, which showed modest success for me. I imagine I was up about £150-180 from £5-£15 games with 6/7 players over late 2006-2007.
Things progressed from there and I then started playing at Riley's. I played 3/4 times I think and made the final table once, cashing for about £50, from a £10 buy-in.
Soon after I made my first deposit online and this quickly developed in to trying out multiple sites. However, I never really made a substantial deposit or took it seriously. I made a few £20 deposits here and there, with the majority just wasted being stupid. A year into it I made a "big" deposit on Stars, it was only £100. Again, it pretty much went to waste.
At the start of 2008 I imagine I was down £400 or so, at a guess.
I then put £100 on DTD and swore I would make a profit from poker in 2008. I also put $25 on Everest.
I grinded the Everest roll up until I couldn't stand the site anymore. I withdrew $400 from Everest. Nice!
DTD..spanked the £100 but deposited another £100. In June 2008 I withdrew £550 from DTD and it paid for a summer holiday with my girlfriend. That gave me a massive sense of achievement as it was the first time poker did something for me.
During that period I also went to the Vic twice. First time I left the £80 I went in with, there! BUSTO! Second time I turned £70 into £235, via 50/1.
I also FT bubbled £30 F/Os there, twice!!! Damn it.
The relative success had its downsides. I failed my first year in uni, through a combination of reasons but one big one was my determination to play poker. Idiot. Along with the many pain in the backsides from that...it meant I couldn't actually play poker over the summer anyway so everything was a waste. I managed to final table a tournament at Ricoh Arena however, but unfortunately only made a min cash really.
September came round and I was back on it. Between September 2008 and now, I am up about £600 from the Vic, as mentioned before. I had two Stars rolls of about $500 and came 4th in a little £2 mtt on DTD for a few quid. Other than thats its generally been quiet and nothing to speak of other than murdering the uni society games for £30-50 a week! (15 runners, £5r)
I have basically had eighteen months of making a quick buck, withdrawing, spending it on nights out, then going back for me but losing. etc etc etc, going round in circles.
I think I am probably break-even from poker, if I am up, its not by much and likewise if I am down. However, when I have got on the grind I have proven I can beat it, approx 20,000 hands at 10Nl and my winrate is 10BB/100, thats how I got one of the rolls on Stars. When I take a tournament seriously, I do well. But too often I just enter, hope to run good and luckbox my way to a roll.
Shame on me.
Anyway, thats a bit of the history and how I got to where I am. Now I am doing this, there are many people I have spoken to or heard of through others and I guess I admire their attitude towards poker and give me something to aspire to.
Now its my turn.
I basically got into poker through home games, which showed modest success for me. I imagine I was up about £150-180 from £5-£15 games with 6/7 players over late 2006-2007.
Things progressed from there and I then started playing at Riley's. I played 3/4 times I think and made the final table once, cashing for about £50, from a £10 buy-in.
Soon after I made my first deposit online and this quickly developed in to trying out multiple sites. However, I never really made a substantial deposit or took it seriously. I made a few £20 deposits here and there, with the majority just wasted being stupid. A year into it I made a "big" deposit on Stars, it was only £100. Again, it pretty much went to waste.
At the start of 2008 I imagine I was down £400 or so, at a guess.
I then put £100 on DTD and swore I would make a profit from poker in 2008. I also put $25 on Everest.
I grinded the Everest roll up until I couldn't stand the site anymore. I withdrew $400 from Everest. Nice!
DTD..spanked the £100 but deposited another £100. In June 2008 I withdrew £550 from DTD and it paid for a summer holiday with my girlfriend. That gave me a massive sense of achievement as it was the first time poker did something for me.
During that period I also went to the Vic twice. First time I left the £80 I went in with, there! BUSTO! Second time I turned £70 into £235, via 50/1.
I also FT bubbled £30 F/Os there, twice!!! Damn it.
The relative success had its downsides. I failed my first year in uni, through a combination of reasons but one big one was my determination to play poker. Idiot. Along with the many pain in the backsides from that...it meant I couldn't actually play poker over the summer anyway so everything was a waste. I managed to final table a tournament at Ricoh Arena however, but unfortunately only made a min cash really.
September came round and I was back on it. Between September 2008 and now, I am up about £600 from the Vic, as mentioned before. I had two Stars rolls of about $500 and came 4th in a little £2 mtt on DTD for a few quid. Other than thats its generally been quiet and nothing to speak of other than murdering the uni society games for £30-50 a week! (15 runners, £5r)
I have basically had eighteen months of making a quick buck, withdrawing, spending it on nights out, then going back for me but losing. etc etc etc, going round in circles.
I think I am probably break-even from poker, if I am up, its not by much and likewise if I am down. However, when I have got on the grind I have proven I can beat it, approx 20,000 hands at 10Nl and my winrate is 10BB/100, thats how I got one of the rolls on Stars. When I take a tournament seriously, I do well. But too often I just enter, hope to run good and luckbox my way to a roll.
Shame on me.
Anyway, thats a bit of the history and how I got to where I am. Now I am doing this, there are many people I have spoken to or heard of through others and I guess I admire their attitude towards poker and give me something to aspire to.
Now its my turn.
DTD
Ok, I am going to work backwards in a way and start with the weekend I just had at DTD.
Firstly, its only my second time there but its a truly incredible place and I highly recommend it to anyone. The people are awesome, the staff are great, the place is immense and the poker is incredible. Everything about it just works so I hope it continues to be supported by everyone!
Unfortunately this weekend didn't go too well on the financial front mind you! Thoroughly enjoyed myself nonetheless and the atmosphere was even better than normal cos of the deepstack weekend.
Anyway, Friday night saw me enter the £25 f/o and then play a bit of 50/1 NL after. Both went awfully. I lasted until about the second break in the tournament, busted out in 60 something (118 runners) but I ran KK into AA early on and never really recovered. Fortunately an A flopped so it only cost me half my stack but still... It was then a case of the odd 3-bet or stealing etc etc, the field at that point let me get away with it. Anyway, card dead so couldn't find a double, closest I came was calling off some LAG's river bet. Board read A T 6 6 6. 4-way and every street was checked with 1 person all in pre. Guy overbet on the river and it was folded to me. He mucked when I showed 99 so I thought things were on the up. Unfortunately a few hands later, with an M of about 8 I shoved K3 in the sb and as per bb wakes up with A rag! Live to fight another day..
50/1 didn't go much better. Lost about £50 on that before I just called it a night. Main hand came when I was up a little. I opened in mid position with 6c8c and the blinds made the call. Flop brought A Q x, 2 clubs. Checked to me, I c-bet and got one caller from the bb. He tanked a lot and checked his cards before making the £9 call so I didnt think he was strong and could get him off it.
Turn brought a second spade. He checks, I bet £18, he tanks and tanks, then calls. I still don't think he's that strong but pray for a club. River brings a spade. This time he insta-checks. I reached for my chips thinking maybe he had a flush draw but then caught him going to grab his. I checked and he flipped QT of spades! Aghhh. Even though I had air it was frustrating...he apologised and said "AK?". "Something like that", I said.
That was the most interesting hand, proceeded to donk off about £30 by failing to go through with my reads. Saturday night we went again, this time having played a bit of roulette, went for 1/2, I sat with £150. The atmosphere was awesome and the games were juicy but again I ran bad. Pleased for Jon though who played some solid poker and was up a buy-in or so.
First hand pretty much spelt disaster. Only 4-handed at this point, everyone limped and I checked my option in the bb. Jon and myself ended up tangling and whilst I had the bottom end of the straight he had the better end! Damn it, why him! Fortunately another guy decided to stack off in the same hand with 2 pair on a damn scary board! Keep em coming..
The biggest hand, that cost me about £70 came against some complete noob to my left. 4-way, all limps. I make the call from the sb with ATo. BB checks. Flop comes down AKJ. I lead out, betting the pot. BB and UTG +1 call. Turn brings a 9. I bet £16 (bad bet I know). BB calls, other folds.
River brings a 9. I'm happy now. The guy raised his blind a couple of times if people limped and he seemed to have a A/K in his hand on the occasions I saw him do this. He also made some pretty horrific post flop plays. Hindsight's a wonderful thing maybe.
Anyway, I bet £25 on the river. Figure I am splitting it at worst now.
He min raises to £50. Not quite sure about this, no way does he have QT there, he would have been more aggressive on the turn based on previous play. Any other 2 pair is counterfeited and I rule out AK/AJ instantly. I elect to call.
He flips T9. You gotta laugh. Another day the Q comes and I have a good night. Agh well!
Finally stacked off when I ran TT into JJ and the door card brought a J. The Vic here we come!
Anyway, despite sinking about £300 with roulette as well this weekend, it taught me a lot and I am determined to continue playing my game, which I think is a winning game and has proved to be in the past.
Shame that whenever I got to Nottingham we have a total degen weekend and it normally results in a loss of money! Never fail to have a good time though..
Firstly, its only my second time there but its a truly incredible place and I highly recommend it to anyone. The people are awesome, the staff are great, the place is immense and the poker is incredible. Everything about it just works so I hope it continues to be supported by everyone!
Unfortunately this weekend didn't go too well on the financial front mind you! Thoroughly enjoyed myself nonetheless and the atmosphere was even better than normal cos of the deepstack weekend.
Anyway, Friday night saw me enter the £25 f/o and then play a bit of 50/1 NL after. Both went awfully. I lasted until about the second break in the tournament, busted out in 60 something (118 runners) but I ran KK into AA early on and never really recovered. Fortunately an A flopped so it only cost me half my stack but still... It was then a case of the odd 3-bet or stealing etc etc, the field at that point let me get away with it. Anyway, card dead so couldn't find a double, closest I came was calling off some LAG's river bet. Board read A T 6 6 6. 4-way and every street was checked with 1 person all in pre. Guy overbet on the river and it was folded to me. He mucked when I showed 99 so I thought things were on the up. Unfortunately a few hands later, with an M of about 8 I shoved K3 in the sb and as per bb wakes up with A rag! Live to fight another day..
50/1 didn't go much better. Lost about £50 on that before I just called it a night. Main hand came when I was up a little. I opened in mid position with 6c8c and the blinds made the call. Flop brought A Q x, 2 clubs. Checked to me, I c-bet and got one caller from the bb. He tanked a lot and checked his cards before making the £9 call so I didnt think he was strong and could get him off it.
Turn brought a second spade. He checks, I bet £18, he tanks and tanks, then calls. I still don't think he's that strong but pray for a club. River brings a spade. This time he insta-checks. I reached for my chips thinking maybe he had a flush draw but then caught him going to grab his. I checked and he flipped QT of spades! Aghhh. Even though I had air it was frustrating...he apologised and said "AK?". "Something like that", I said.
That was the most interesting hand, proceeded to donk off about £30 by failing to go through with my reads. Saturday night we went again, this time having played a bit of roulette, went for 1/2, I sat with £150. The atmosphere was awesome and the games were juicy but again I ran bad. Pleased for Jon though who played some solid poker and was up a buy-in or so.
First hand pretty much spelt disaster. Only 4-handed at this point, everyone limped and I checked my option in the bb. Jon and myself ended up tangling and whilst I had the bottom end of the straight he had the better end! Damn it, why him! Fortunately another guy decided to stack off in the same hand with 2 pair on a damn scary board! Keep em coming..
The biggest hand, that cost me about £70 came against some complete noob to my left. 4-way, all limps. I make the call from the sb with ATo. BB checks. Flop comes down AKJ. I lead out, betting the pot. BB and UTG +1 call. Turn brings a 9. I bet £16 (bad bet I know). BB calls, other folds.
River brings a 9. I'm happy now. The guy raised his blind a couple of times if people limped and he seemed to have a A/K in his hand on the occasions I saw him do this. He also made some pretty horrific post flop plays. Hindsight's a wonderful thing maybe.
Anyway, I bet £25 on the river. Figure I am splitting it at worst now.
He min raises to £50. Not quite sure about this, no way does he have QT there, he would have been more aggressive on the turn based on previous play. Any other 2 pair is counterfeited and I rule out AK/AJ instantly. I elect to call.
He flips T9. You gotta laugh. Another day the Q comes and I have a good night. Agh well!
Finally stacked off when I ran TT into JJ and the door card brought a J. The Vic here we come!
Anyway, despite sinking about £300 with roulette as well this weekend, it taught me a lot and I am determined to continue playing my game, which I think is a winning game and has proved to be in the past.
Shame that whenever I got to Nottingham we have a total degen weekend and it normally results in a loss of money! Never fail to have a good time though..
Sunday 7 June 2009
Stage 1
Myself and a friend have been battling with poker for, I guess, about 18 months now, on a serious basis. By serious I mean playing live in various places and playing online every other day as well as making a conscious effort to educate ourselves via books etc.
However, that mate (Jon-see jonnyke poker), recently described us as still being in "stage 1", hence the name of the title. I have enjoyed relative success in the two years or so I have been playing but one thing I have never had is a poker bankroll as such. I have had 4 quite substantial "rolls" i.e. $500 ish on Stars/Dtd/Everest. 2 of those rolls were legitamately grinded up but the other 2 were as a result of me being foolish and gambling more than playing poker. 2 of the rolls were also spanked as a result of the same thing, whilst the other 2 had to be withdrawn for my own financial reasons.
I have won a couple of tournaments, final tabled the odd one, but never for a big amount (£200 ish max). Cash tables are another thing altogether though, as are small stakes SNGs and HU. This is what I want to concentrate on. I play 50p/£1 at the Vic in London on probably a monthly basis and have showed a net profit of approximately £600, in 12 months. The rolls I legitatmately grinded were through 10Nl and killing $1/$3 45man SNGs for a 70% ROI (120 games). That money was never reinvested though, hence why I am now just taking shots at donkaments or short stacking 50/1 or 1/2 for a so-called "break".
Having had an interesting weekend at DTD with Jon on the weekend, I feel its now crunch time. Having played the game a couple of years I have proven that I can make consistent money and plugged one massive leak in my game-tilt. I am much more controlled now and that can only benefit me.
Let the good times roll. GL.
However, that mate (Jon-see jonnyke poker), recently described us as still being in "stage 1", hence the name of the title. I have enjoyed relative success in the two years or so I have been playing but one thing I have never had is a poker bankroll as such. I have had 4 quite substantial "rolls" i.e. $500 ish on Stars/Dtd/Everest. 2 of those rolls were legitamately grinded up but the other 2 were as a result of me being foolish and gambling more than playing poker. 2 of the rolls were also spanked as a result of the same thing, whilst the other 2 had to be withdrawn for my own financial reasons.
I have won a couple of tournaments, final tabled the odd one, but never for a big amount (£200 ish max). Cash tables are another thing altogether though, as are small stakes SNGs and HU. This is what I want to concentrate on. I play 50p/£1 at the Vic in London on probably a monthly basis and have showed a net profit of approximately £600, in 12 months. The rolls I legitatmately grinded were through 10Nl and killing $1/$3 45man SNGs for a 70% ROI (120 games). That money was never reinvested though, hence why I am now just taking shots at donkaments or short stacking 50/1 or 1/2 for a so-called "break".
Having had an interesting weekend at DTD with Jon on the weekend, I feel its now crunch time. Having played the game a couple of years I have proven that I can make consistent money and plugged one massive leak in my game-tilt. I am much more controlled now and that can only benefit me.
Let the good times roll. GL.
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