5/30/2012
No ego, no emotion, just poker!
On 5-12-12 I deposited $200 on Carbon Poker after pretty much avoiding online post BF (Black Friday, April 14, 2011). The first day back I was lucky enough to get a 3rd in the 11c for 1k. I was afraid to deposit to much still having the bitter taste in my mouth thanks to BF, Full Tilt, and Absolute Poker. I had a few ups and downs over a course of a few days and then got 2nd place back to back days in the $33 3k. I had gotten my online BR up to 1.8k in about a week. I was feeling pretty good and was very happy that I got off to a good start because if that first $200 would have gone sour, I am not sure what I would have done.
I then spent the next week playing a little to high for a 1.8k BR and it cost me $200-300 a day. I was apparently having a hard time adjusting to the smaller fields and different structures. The growing pains of it all along with my stubborn nature, and my impatience helped me run my 1.8k slowly back down to what I deposited. I wasn't going crazy and playing real high though, I was just playing a little to high and that is all it takes. I was mostly playing $33fr and under, $11r and under, and not many tables at a time. But it was costing a little to much and I was wanting it to quickly. Everything seemed okay and I felt like I was going to pull out of the small funk everyday. But after a few days of just not getting there I got down so low I had to adjust on a bigger scale. I mean I was slowly adjusting daily as my roll got smaller but I finally reached a point where I had to make a bigger adjustment.
The last couple days before actually getting back to the deposit amount I got unlucky several times and my mindset started turning for the worst. I logged off with the realization that I couldn't keep going at that pace, and that I was not going to play again until my head was in a better spot. I knew I could play within my BR and make good decisions. It was one of my biggest strengths in 2010 as I built my roll. I watched several players and some close friends go on a small heater to then get a big head and play outside of their roll until going broke. Chasing that upside of variance they tasted instead of realizing what had happened, owning it, and playing within their means.
When I logged off my last session I had decided I was done until I knew I could play and focus correctly. Oddly enough that time came later on the same evening after a good talk with a friend and some self realizations. My first decision to play wasn't brilliant, I decided to play one table of 100NL on a short buy while still chatting with my friend. I managed an early double before deciding I was still wanting it to fast and I needed drop levels. I knew the 100NL was a mistake and I decided I would be happier playing .25 NL. I switched over and one tabled while watching a couple movies. I was also still chatting with my friend through Skype and he was kind enough to go over hands with me every time I had any question about my line or sizing. I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and I had fun playing that session.
2005 to 2010 I used to play poker on a laptop in my recliner while watching television all the time. In 2010 when I chose to stop losing at online poker I played my sessions on a table converted into a desk with a more professional approach. I think this was very good for me and helped me learn how serious you need to take it to get the desired results. I think a more professional approach is the best way to go. Good work habits and taking things more serious, should provide better results.
At the end of my recent downswing I reached a point where I couldn't get off the tables fast enough, I was done, I felt unlucky and defeated. Luckily it was just a feeling and a moment of weakness and I was able to get past it. Letting myself get that weak is just plain silly, I love poker. Playing later that night in front of the television while being very relaxed was good for me. I still played well and was focusing, but I wasn't hanging on every card and for some reason the distraction of the movie helped me. After the movies I was still raring to go and wanted to keep playing so I moved back to the table/desk where I plug my macbookpro into 27" Apple cinema display and loaded up 6 tables and grinded out a session.
For some reason I felt like I had been reset, like someone took a pin and found a small hole in the back of my head and clicked my reset button. I was happier, thinking better, and way more relaxed. I am not 100% sure what clicked, but just that time spent enjoying myself and still playing helped me grow. Maybe mostly it was the decision to quit chasing the big score so fast and just grind what I could afford. I knew if I played within my roll I could build it up. I definitely didn't think playing in front of the television was the answer, but somehow the decision to play that night helped and worked.
The next day I woke up and started talking with the guys in the poker chat for a while and then went over a few hands that were posted on P5s and 2+2. I was really enjoying poker again. Don't get me wrong I was enjoying it the days before, but my enjoyment was more real, and filled with more realistic expectations that did nothing but help. I played a session that involved four MTTs at a time and two cash tables of .25NL. I cashed in 2 out of 13 MTTs with one final table and played about 1k hands of cash. I was a little unlucky in my last 15 hands of cash and to get 3rd in the MTT when I felt I was the best player, but I was very happy with my day and felt a whole lot better than I did mid day the day before.
I think trying to be honest with myself, admit my faults, and then try to overcome them helped me immensely and set me on a better path. Never stop trying to improve and always be honest with your self, good luck all.
Because I'm a fighter, I'm stronger, fighter!
I woke up today feeling so much better after recovering from yesterday's series of ups and downs. I was very pleased to end the night on a positive note. Today things felt different, my glass was more than half full, it was almost full. Please don't get me wrong though, my glass is generally half full, I am usually very positive and believe you're happier when you are. But when talking about my mindset after a seven day downswing, I was especially happy to have my glass half full today because parts of yesterday I was faltering.
One of the recent struggles I was having was wanting to win money to quickly. Why do we get in such a hurry? A reasonable expectation seemed to be one of the things I accepted the most after yesterday. I was very content to grind a schedule that was inside my current online BR and it's amazing how much just that alone helps. I really felt like being more reasonable with all my expectations leveled me out and gave me more confidence. I was playing and thinking very well today. I was also involved in a handful of amazing hand discussions with a group of regulars today that I am positive we all learned from, it was intense and insightful.
Today I cashed in 2 out of 13 MTTs and managed one final table and a third place finish. I lost A9cc to A8o three handed for 3/4 the chips in play and then soon after got 55 all in pre vs AA. I flopped a 5 but the villain rivered and A, gee gee. I also played 1017 hands of .25NL and was winner until the last 15 hands when I lost KK to 107cc, flop 327ccd turn 9c river Jh, and a flopped set to a river straight with 55 vs JJ the flop was KQ5 turn 10 river 9. Although these last few beats kinda sucked, the fact that I was within my BR and feeling good helped me shrug them off immediately and just keep on going. All we can do is try to make great decisions and keep our emotions out of it.
I would like to throw a special shout out to my friend Shane. Thanks Shane, you skyped me after not talking much since black friday and we have been talking poker non-stop ever since. I am really thinking better than I was a week ago, thank you.
Constant growth and improvement is really important if you want to reach your goals at poker. I am a very hard worker and will do what it takes to keep improving. I believe in myself and know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Good luck all!
One of the recent struggles I was having was wanting to win money to quickly. Why do we get in such a hurry? A reasonable expectation seemed to be one of the things I accepted the most after yesterday. I was very content to grind a schedule that was inside my current online BR and it's amazing how much just that alone helps. I really felt like being more reasonable with all my expectations leveled me out and gave me more confidence. I was playing and thinking very well today. I was also involved in a handful of amazing hand discussions with a group of regulars today that I am positive we all learned from, it was intense and insightful.
Today I cashed in 2 out of 13 MTTs and managed one final table and a third place finish. I lost A9cc to A8o three handed for 3/4 the chips in play and then soon after got 55 all in pre vs AA. I flopped a 5 but the villain rivered and A, gee gee. I also played 1017 hands of .25NL and was winner until the last 15 hands when I lost KK to 107cc, flop 327ccd turn 9c river Jh, and a flopped set to a river straight with 55 vs JJ the flop was KQ5 turn 10 river 9. Although these last few beats kinda sucked, the fact that I was within my BR and feeling good helped me shrug them off immediately and just keep on going. All we can do is try to make great decisions and keep our emotions out of it.
I would like to throw a special shout out to my friend Shane. Thanks Shane, you skyped me after not talking much since black friday and we have been talking poker non-stop ever since. I am really thinking better than I was a week ago, thank you.
Constant growth and improvement is really important if you want to reach your goals at poker. I am a very hard worker and will do what it takes to keep improving. I believe in myself and know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Good luck all!
5/29/2012
I'm out of my head, I'm out of my mind
Monday I cashed in 0 out of 7 MTTs but as my last few were still going I played a few tables of .25NL. My session went horrible and after a few nasty beats I felt like I couldn't possibly get off the tables fast enough. My play became subpar and I logged off all the cash tables and basically punted off my last MTT by overplaying hands. It is hard to admit feeling that level of weakness while playing. I was mentally spent and lost my care. I was looking for any hand that was good enough to get all the chips in with. I know part of it, is me chasing and wanting to win to fast.
I worked very hard in 2010 and early 2011 to build up my poker bankroll, and then Black Friday happened. Brutal part for me personally is that after my motorcycle wreck in 2005 I was lucky enough to get a small settlement thanks to having a good lawyer. I went to some old men I had known for a while for advice and one of them confidence scammed me out of 50k, which was most of what I had. I thought I was making a sound investment and was strung along for a couple years being told lie after lie, but then the downfall was blamed on the economy. After some reflection and minor investigating I am pretty sure I was scammed. Needless to say when I had built my poker roll up to a sizable amount after starting at the micros and working my way, I was proud and felt some vindication. I was happy that I was able to build back up after getting taken advantage of during the worst period of my life. It made me feel strong and gave me the feeling that no matter what happened I could always pull through.
I was devastated when the DOJ came down on the sites and Absolute Poker and Full Tilt just didn't pay us out. At first I just decided I would not play online until it was legal. I cut my teeth live in the casino's and did not think I would have any problem making money there. It started out well with me getting 3rd in the first live event I played post BF. We actually did a chip chop 10 handed and then played for 5k, 3k, 2k for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. After it was all said and done I ended up with the most money but a third place finish. Then I went to Vegas for thirty-two days and ended up losing about 20k. It was a great experience, but it was full of lots of bubbles. The only tournament I won was the $130 10pm daily at the Rio and I only played it once, at least I won something. After the series I just went back to grinding live and traveling to any poker tournaments within driving distance and was able to recoup some of my WSOP losses. Then in November and December I hit a string of main event bubbles, not dead bubbles, but within ten or so of the money half a dozen times. At this time I also took a downswing at 2/5NL and just ended the year miserably. I took a break early 2012 and then played a live event at Hard Rock Tulsa. I was not able to do much, but my buddy had an 11k cash.
After taking a break and then getting up in the middle of it again I always feel like, "Why have I not been here". I feel like, "This is where I belong", and "get out and play". It was right after this that I deposited on Carbon and started playing online again. Luckily the first day back I bink a 3rd in a 11c for 1k and it gets me started. I run it up to about 1.8k before going on an eight day down swing. I was playing a little to high even though I was trying to be aware, but the 200-300 dollars days added up quick. The last few days I lowered my buy-ins and have added in some cash play but was still not getting winner.
I noticed during my session today that my head just wasn't right and started explaining it to a friend. I don't want to lie to myself about how I am playing or have false beliefs that I am just getting unlucky. Granted I have gotten unlucky in several spots but if after that you're playing emotional, or chasing, then you're playing bad and I was. I thought it was important to try and realize it as fast as possible and then do something about it. I quit playing and went to get food and movies and planned on spending the rest of the evening relaxing with no idea when I was going to play next. The one thing I did know is that I was not playing again until I felt like my head was right and I could play optimally.
I watched one movie and while preparing to watch the second I got online. While online I started talking with my friend about my mindset and things to do to get past it. Then all of the sudden I starting getting the itch to play. I decided to play one table while watching the movie. I wanted to play at a relaxed pace and just try to make good decisions. I played one table through that movie, and then I watched another movie and two tabled during it. After the third movie of the night, but the second one I played through, I was still enjoying playing. I really felt I was playing and thinking good so I decided to load up six .25NL tables and play a session. I ended up having an enjoyable session and I won six buy-ins. The biggest difference was just how I felt. The talk with my friend was a big help, but I think the biggest part was just being honest with myself. I noticed my head was not right and quit playing until I could figure it out. I then slowly stepped back into playing on just one table the next I felt like playing and the results followed.
I guess if I was trying to sum up the experience I would offer this. Be honest with yourself and how you're playing at all times. If you know you are playing sub-optimally, quit. Try to hone in on what helps you find your own personal comfort zone and then try to do the things it takes to replicate the situation.
I really hope some of y'all can relate to the things I have been going through and I am able to help you get through it like I have. Know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Play good and get that money. Good luck all.
I worked very hard in 2010 and early 2011 to build up my poker bankroll, and then Black Friday happened. Brutal part for me personally is that after my motorcycle wreck in 2005 I was lucky enough to get a small settlement thanks to having a good lawyer. I went to some old men I had known for a while for advice and one of them confidence scammed me out of 50k, which was most of what I had. I thought I was making a sound investment and was strung along for a couple years being told lie after lie, but then the downfall was blamed on the economy. After some reflection and minor investigating I am pretty sure I was scammed. Needless to say when I had built my poker roll up to a sizable amount after starting at the micros and working my way, I was proud and felt some vindication. I was happy that I was able to build back up after getting taken advantage of during the worst period of my life. It made me feel strong and gave me the feeling that no matter what happened I could always pull through.
I was devastated when the DOJ came down on the sites and Absolute Poker and Full Tilt just didn't pay us out. At first I just decided I would not play online until it was legal. I cut my teeth live in the casino's and did not think I would have any problem making money there. It started out well with me getting 3rd in the first live event I played post BF. We actually did a chip chop 10 handed and then played for 5k, 3k, 2k for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. After it was all said and done I ended up with the most money but a third place finish. Then I went to Vegas for thirty-two days and ended up losing about 20k. It was a great experience, but it was full of lots of bubbles. The only tournament I won was the $130 10pm daily at the Rio and I only played it once, at least I won something. After the series I just went back to grinding live and traveling to any poker tournaments within driving distance and was able to recoup some of my WSOP losses. Then in November and December I hit a string of main event bubbles, not dead bubbles, but within ten or so of the money half a dozen times. At this time I also took a downswing at 2/5NL and just ended the year miserably. I took a break early 2012 and then played a live event at Hard Rock Tulsa. I was not able to do much, but my buddy had an 11k cash.
After taking a break and then getting up in the middle of it again I always feel like, "Why have I not been here". I feel like, "This is where I belong", and "get out and play". It was right after this that I deposited on Carbon and started playing online again. Luckily the first day back I bink a 3rd in a 11c for 1k and it gets me started. I run it up to about 1.8k before going on an eight day down swing. I was playing a little to high even though I was trying to be aware, but the 200-300 dollars days added up quick. The last few days I lowered my buy-ins and have added in some cash play but was still not getting winner.
I noticed during my session today that my head just wasn't right and started explaining it to a friend. I don't want to lie to myself about how I am playing or have false beliefs that I am just getting unlucky. Granted I have gotten unlucky in several spots but if after that you're playing emotional, or chasing, then you're playing bad and I was. I thought it was important to try and realize it as fast as possible and then do something about it. I quit playing and went to get food and movies and planned on spending the rest of the evening relaxing with no idea when I was going to play next. The one thing I did know is that I was not playing again until I felt like my head was right and I could play optimally.
I watched one movie and while preparing to watch the second I got online. While online I started talking with my friend about my mindset and things to do to get past it. Then all of the sudden I starting getting the itch to play. I decided to play one table while watching the movie. I wanted to play at a relaxed pace and just try to make good decisions. I played one table through that movie, and then I watched another movie and two tabled during it. After the third movie of the night, but the second one I played through, I was still enjoying playing. I really felt I was playing and thinking good so I decided to load up six .25NL tables and play a session. I ended up having an enjoyable session and I won six buy-ins. The biggest difference was just how I felt. The talk with my friend was a big help, but I think the biggest part was just being honest with myself. I noticed my head was not right and quit playing until I could figure it out. I then slowly stepped back into playing on just one table the next I felt like playing and the results followed.
I guess if I was trying to sum up the experience I would offer this. Be honest with yourself and how you're playing at all times. If you know you are playing sub-optimally, quit. Try to hone in on what helps you find your own personal comfort zone and then try to do the things it takes to replicate the situation.
I really hope some of y'all can relate to the things I have been going through and I am able to help you get through it like I have. Know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Play good and get that money. Good luck all.
5/27/2012
Deal with it!
I cashed in 0 out of 5 MTTs today for a dismal Sunday. I got it in good in all five tournaments and was not able to hold. It's just poker and anyone trying to play it for a living will have to deal with these times. Poker is not easy. If it was easy everyone would be good winner at it. I have had a bit of a rough week at the tables and feel I really need to get through this negative little run and feeling of I'm going to probably get unlucky. I mean it's not a strong feeling, its just trying to creep in on my positivity enough to start to bother me. I am trying to verbalize the problem and admit what is happening so I can quickly grad ahold of it and remove it. Variance is real and anyone can run below average for extended periods of time. The trick would be to deal with it better than the others and try to minimize any losses and give yourself the best chances to win.
Hold your head up!
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Thursday I cashed in 0 out of 13 MTTs for a wonderful day. Friday I was able to cash in 3 out of 23 MTTs with one FT and a satty win but I was not able to get winner on the day. Saturday I cashed in 1 out of 7 MTTs with my one cash being a 6th place at the FT of the $22 3k but again a disappointing overall day. I have had a rough week at the tables. I do think I have kept my composure together for the most part but it can be better. I do know that I want to get pumped up quicker than my BR wants to allow me and I am going to have to lower my stakes a little and take it easy. It sucks to have to admit that to yourself but chasing to hard can be a straight line to broke.
I have watched some good training videos this week and had a HH review with a friend that went real well. Our HH review was not a long one but we covered a few great hands for debate.
Tomorrow I plan on putting my $109 satty ticket to use in the 150k and will probably play the $11 20k but not sure if I play much more than that.
I was excited to find out the (Brett M) of 2+2 was able to get my name, pw, and email problem worked out and I am now back on 2+2 with my account, awesome. Thanks Brett. If any of y'all have had the same issues go to this link http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/55/about-forums/what-should-users-do-if-they-dont-have-their-account-email-see-op-1198491/ and email Brett.
It has been nice being back grinding online, 2010 and early 2011 was a blast for me going from being a losing online player to a winner and I'll be glad to get that going again. I was also happy to reunite with several of my online poker grinding friends and to be back in the chat group. There is nothing as helpful as talking poker daily with good players.
Well, I have lots of work to do on my game, my mental state, and how I want to attack the tables with my BR so off to it I go. Good luck to all the grinders out their, and have a great Sunday!
I have watched some good training videos this week and had a HH review with a friend that went real well. Our HH review was not a long one but we covered a few great hands for debate.
Tomorrow I plan on putting my $109 satty ticket to use in the 150k and will probably play the $11 20k but not sure if I play much more than that.
I was excited to find out the (Brett M) of 2+2 was able to get my name, pw, and email problem worked out and I am now back on 2+2 with my account, awesome. Thanks Brett. If any of y'all have had the same issues go to this link http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/55/about-forums/what-should-users-do-if-they-dont-have-their-account-email-see-op-1198491/ and email Brett.
It has been nice being back grinding online, 2010 and early 2011 was a blast for me going from being a losing online player to a winner and I'll be glad to get that going again. I was also happy to reunite with several of my online poker grinding friends and to be back in the chat group. There is nothing as helpful as talking poker daily with good players.
Well, I have lots of work to do on my game, my mental state, and how I want to attack the tables with my BR so off to it I go. Good luck to all the grinders out their, and have a great Sunday!
5/24/2012
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
The last few days have not been exceptional as far as results go. Let's be honest, the last few days have not been very good at all, but I am bound and determined to keep working hard and achieve my goals. I am pretty sure if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
Monday I went 1-7 in MTTs and the one cash barely doubled that tournaments buy-in. Tuesday I was able to cash in 3 out of 15 MTTs and although one of them I bubbled the final table, it still was not very significant. Today I cashed in 2 out of 15 MTTs with neither cash being for much, but really felt I played well. I had a half a dozen pots taken from me on the river for huge stacks, when going in ahead. I will say today I kept my composure extremely well. I never got emotional through all the tough hands and also was never that excited when winning. After taking a break for a while, eating, and watching some television I decided to tackle some 100nl. I played 218 hands and won 84 bbs per 100. It was a nice little session and to be honest I kind of needed it.
Emotional control is one of the most important things to learn for anyone wanting to make analytical decisions in the heat of the moment. I remember an awesome Audio Lecture from hatfield13 on PxF about the left and right side of the brain. It simply said that one side is emotional and one side is analytical. If you are emotional you will make decisions using that side of your brain and if calm and thinking analytically you will use the other side of the brain. The lecture talked of some tricks on how to stay in the analytical side of your brain to help make sounder decisions. Counting to 10 is one of the things he talked about and I think it is a good trick.
One of my friends from the poker chat group has really impressed me since I came back. He is not the same player he was before and is still getting better. He actually had a lesson today with a total beast of a pro player Assassinato, ( contact him here if interested assassinatocoaching@gmail ), and I just know he improved today. I am jealous, are you? Well, what are we going to do about it? I know I have a HH review scheduled for tomorrow and I watched two poker videos today on PxF. We got to work on our game if we want to get better.
Good luck to all the grinders heading out to the WSOP, I hope you get a bracelet. To any that are not able to go, I hope you are able to have a great year and go in 2013. I was there the whole series last year and loved it but lost my ass. Since just getting back to grinding online I am not built up enough to go out, but am keeping an open mind. Now it is time to get back to relaxing so I can hopefully have a profitable day tomorrow.
Monday I went 1-7 in MTTs and the one cash barely doubled that tournaments buy-in. Tuesday I was able to cash in 3 out of 15 MTTs and although one of them I bubbled the final table, it still was not very significant. Today I cashed in 2 out of 15 MTTs with neither cash being for much, but really felt I played well. I had a half a dozen pots taken from me on the river for huge stacks, when going in ahead. I will say today I kept my composure extremely well. I never got emotional through all the tough hands and also was never that excited when winning. After taking a break for a while, eating, and watching some television I decided to tackle some 100nl. I played 218 hands and won 84 bbs per 100. It was a nice little session and to be honest I kind of needed it.
Emotional control is one of the most important things to learn for anyone wanting to make analytical decisions in the heat of the moment. I remember an awesome Audio Lecture from hatfield13 on PxF about the left and right side of the brain. It simply said that one side is emotional and one side is analytical. If you are emotional you will make decisions using that side of your brain and if calm and thinking analytically you will use the other side of the brain. The lecture talked of some tricks on how to stay in the analytical side of your brain to help make sounder decisions. Counting to 10 is one of the things he talked about and I think it is a good trick.
One of my friends from the poker chat group has really impressed me since I came back. He is not the same player he was before and is still getting better. He actually had a lesson today with a total beast of a pro player Assassinato, ( contact him here if interested assassinatocoaching@gmail ), and I just know he improved today. I am jealous, are you? Well, what are we going to do about it? I know I have a HH review scheduled for tomorrow and I watched two poker videos today on PxF. We got to work on our game if we want to get better.
Good luck to all the grinders heading out to the WSOP, I hope you get a bracelet. To any that are not able to go, I hope you are able to have a great year and go in 2013. I was there the whole series last year and loved it but lost my ass. Since just getting back to grinding online I am not built up enough to go out, but am keeping an open mind. Now it is time to get back to relaxing so I can hopefully have a profitable day tomorrow.
5/23/2012
Awesome!
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5/20/2012
Sunday fun day
Today I went a paltry 0-9 in MTTs and I played a bit out of my BR in a couple. On any normal day no one MTT matters if I am playing with in my roll. Its easy to take a beat and keep going. But, today I enterer the $109 150k gtd and got very unlucky five spots from cashing. I called a players shove on the turn with a pair and the nut flush draw on a board that read 578ssc flop 6s turn. I had As6c and he had KhQd. I was happy when I called and saw his holdings but then was less happy when the Qc hit the river. Honestly I had other options on how to play the hand but when we got the money in I was way ahead. The point I want to make is about my BRM choices on the day. I mean hands win and hands lose it is just part of it, you can't let it bother you. But when you chose to play outside your roll, the cashes seem so more important and that can bring on emotion after taking a beat. When the Qc hit the river, I yelled very loudly F___ you right at the monitor like they could hear me. I instantly started laughing after and knew my emotion got the better of me for a minute, but I will just use this as a learning tool and move on.
Today wasn't the greatest day for me but several of my friends are real deep in the the big MTTs. Two guys from my poker chat are at FT of the $109 150k, a local friend is top 3 in chips of the Superstack 500, and a great player from OK is CL of 109c. I really hope they all get a big score. Good luck guys and get that money.
Today wasn't the greatest day for me but several of my friends are real deep in the the big MTTs. Two guys from my poker chat are at FT of the $109 150k, a local friend is top 3 in chips of the Superstack 500, and a great player from OK is CL of 109c. I really hope they all get a big score. Good luck guys and get that money.
Yes I can
Believing in yourself is so important. When I used to help pool players improve one of the first things I would ask them would be to not let themselves say anything negative. Sometimes you may not be able to stop yourself from thinking negative thoughts, but you definitely do not have to verbalize the thought and give it life. I believe that just this step of not allowing yourself to say, I can't, in any way shape or form is in itself an improvement. I think any person that does this is instantly moving in the right direction and will improve at what ever they are doing.
Example, lots of pool players prefer either a 9ft table or a 7ft bar table. Often you would hear someone say, I hate the big tables and never play good there, or vice versa for the bar tables. I think that just by saying that they are creating problems they don't need. What happens next time they are in a match or game on the table they don't like and something bad happens. My guess is they will have thoughts like, I hate these tables anyway, and I wish I was on a different table, and such. I believe just by not verbalizing the negative and believing in yourself you can get past these things and are way better off for it. If you are telling yourself that you are capable and good on both tables, and kept saying it and working on your game, then you will rarely be in that negative mindset that only works against you. Hope everyone understands my example and finds a way to relate to poker or whatever your into.
I have a friend who has been working on their poker game some and seems to possibly feel a little overwhlmed. They have read books and watched some videos but not sure they have got much out of it. I think one of the reason is the approach, but another is in the self belief. I know a better approach where they tackle topics and apply step by step instead of taking to much in at once will help. But, more importantly I think killing more of the negative and believing they are and will be improving is huge too.
I know there are lots of y'all out there that have read a book or two and/or watched some videos and after might not feel they have learned or retained much. It takes more than just the act of watching or reading. You have to believe it will help you and apply yourself in a way that is beneficial. Take small steps and really learn each page or video until moving on. It is okay to read or watch it several times until you think you have it. Also try to hone in on anything that you feel you don't understand fully and stay with it until you do. Improving is possible and not all that tough if you go about it the right way. Luckily for us, most people do not try to improve from a belief they are better than they are, lots of the ones that do probably don't go about it optimally, and they just don't seem to get much out of it.
It all starts with you and believing you can do it, the rest is easy.
Variance101 Poker Training
$100 and hour, 3 hour minimum
No ego, No emotion, Just poker!
Email variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
Example, lots of pool players prefer either a 9ft table or a 7ft bar table. Often you would hear someone say, I hate the big tables and never play good there, or vice versa for the bar tables. I think that just by saying that they are creating problems they don't need. What happens next time they are in a match or game on the table they don't like and something bad happens. My guess is they will have thoughts like, I hate these tables anyway, and I wish I was on a different table, and such. I believe just by not verbalizing the negative and believing in yourself you can get past these things and are way better off for it. If you are telling yourself that you are capable and good on both tables, and kept saying it and working on your game, then you will rarely be in that negative mindset that only works against you. Hope everyone understands my example and finds a way to relate to poker or whatever your into.
I have a friend who has been working on their poker game some and seems to possibly feel a little overwhlmed. They have read books and watched some videos but not sure they have got much out of it. I think one of the reason is the approach, but another is in the self belief. I know a better approach where they tackle topics and apply step by step instead of taking to much in at once will help. But, more importantly I think killing more of the negative and believing they are and will be improving is huge too.
I know there are lots of y'all out there that have read a book or two and/or watched some videos and after might not feel they have learned or retained much. It takes more than just the act of watching or reading. You have to believe it will help you and apply yourself in a way that is beneficial. Take small steps and really learn each page or video until moving on. It is okay to read or watch it several times until you think you have it. Also try to hone in on anything that you feel you don't understand fully and stay with it until you do. Improving is possible and not all that tough if you go about it the right way. Luckily for us, most people do not try to improve from a belief they are better than they are, lots of the ones that do probably don't go about it optimally, and they just don't seem to get much out of it.
It all starts with you and believing you can do it, the rest is easy.
Variance101 Poker Training
$100 and hour, 3 hour minimum
No ego, No emotion, Just poker!
Email variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
the saturday grind
Cashed in 5 out of 15 MTTS today while making 2 final tables and getting a 2nd place finish in the $33 3k for the second day in a row. Both days I was a little unlucky not to win. Anyway, I had a great day overall and was happy with the schedule I worked out. I did not play any 100nl today as I was getting back into my online MTT zone that has been very profitable for me. I am starting to get where I am familiar with the software and the structure and that feels good, but I still have a ways to go.
I would like to give a shout out to my buddy Ron M., (ject4) on merge, for his back to back deep runs in the Daily High-roller! He was also the featured player on OPR. Ron managed a 1st and then a 4th in back to back days, way to go bro!
I spent a quite a bit of time today chatting with a friend that was very discouraged. They had pretty much decided that they were unlucky and could not hold any of there 80/20s when getting it in ahead. I fought back all the NO's with several positive YES's but was barely able to get through, if at all. I know that one thing that was happening is they were noticing the beats and never seeing any of the hands they win. Its like they expect to win and never ever expect a hand to lose. I am telling hands lose. I will tell you this, after going through it all then starting my session, I was able to laugh off every beat I took even quicker than normal. Positive mentality and a positive approach to poker can go such a long way. Try and understand variance and don't allow yourself to get upset when you lose. One thing I do is after any beat I just try and handle that beat better than anyone I know. It works for me.
Good luck to all the grinders out there, and get that money!
5/18/2012
And we be grindn
Kinda moseyed around a bit when I got up and around today. Hung out in the poker chat room and started talking poker and then had a conversation with a friend thinking about going to the WSOP for the first time. At this time I hadn't started playing yet because I was coming off of a couple of less than desirable days and wanted to make sure I was ready and into if I was going to start. After the chat and talking with my friend I was ready to play. I started with just a satellite and took a nasty beat to get 3rd and it gave away 2 seats. Oh well, can't win them all. So I decided I would go ahead and play a session. I played 6 MTTS and a little over 500 hands of 100nl. I was able to cash in one of my MTTS with a 2nd place showing in the $33 3k gtd on Carbon. I had a 5 to 1 chip lead when we were head up and then the villain wins a couple hands and has me at a 200k to 100k disadvantage. I get in a tough hand with 2nd pair and bet fold 40% of my stack after he comes over the top of my flop raise. I had pretty big hand but he was playing to tight for HU and I was sure he had. I chose to try and out play him. I get it in good soon after with KJhh verses his 910dd and we get a 9 on the turn, good game me. It was still a good day and I was glad to overcome my last couple days and get in the positive. I was also happy that I decided to play a few MTTs and was able to get another final table. Variance is real and the only way to get what is yours is to grind out some volume while making good decision with little to no emotion. It takes lots of work but it is possible. Good luck to all you grinders out their, get that money!
Variance101 Poker Training
$100 and hour, 3 hour minimum
No ego, No emotion, Just poker!
Email variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
$100 and hour, 3 hour minimum
No ego, No emotion, Just poker!
Email variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
Playing within our means
Why is it so hard to play with in our means? Actually, why is it so hard to live within our means? Is this human nature? I know almost everyone can relate to what I am saying here. How many times have you wanted to turn $100 into $1,000, $10,000, or $1,000,000? Its possible that you even got off to a decent start before taking a few steps back, and/or going broke making poor decisions? What stops us from being rational? Why not just realize that to get what we want we will need to work very hard, put in lots of volume, use proper bankroll management, fade the ups and downs of variance, and try not to play outside our means.
I am going to give an example. I have a friend who has been running pretty well for the last year and half. He cashed in several big tournaments and recently got his first win and a six figure payday. He just arrived in vegas and had a plan for most of his tournaments but right after showing up gets a hard on for the 25k at Bellagio, sells some action with no mark-up, and hops right in. I am not saying he is necessarily doing anything wrong but it just seems human nature to play to the absolute limit of our means. He is a good player but he is a $300-$2k buy-in tournament player, I am not sure he is ready for crushing 25k buy-ins. It just made me realize that the 1/2 player that wins $300 off his one and only $200 barrel and then signs up for the $500 tournament is not far from the tournament regular that gets a win and then hops in the biggest buy-in event he can find.
What will it take to keep us satisfied with crushing a level within our means instead of rising through the levels so fast it can get risky? Is it just a realization and then some effort or is it more than that? I think a true understanding of variance and BRM could go a long ways but might not stop you from wanting to quickly rise through the levels. But, if you could do it in small steps maybe the risk could be decreased.
I think once a person starts winning and doing really well they can almost get brainwashed with the upside of variance and it usually takes some brutal loss to bring us back to reality. How many players do you think go through these things? I would be willing to bet most players battle these things. I bet even the ones that are really good at doing these things right, still have to make sure not to slip, because slipping is very easy.
Sometimes I just like to rant a little about the things going on in my mind. I suppose right now I am wanting to build my bankroll up, but want to make sure I do not get ahead of myself so I can give myself the best chance to get what I want. I hope everyone is doing well, improving, and controlling all their emotions while they grind. Good luck all!
One step forward and two steps back!
I had a small setback today. I played 585 hands of 100NL and lost 33 bbs per 100 and 2 buy-ins. I also went 0-4 in MTTs and 0-1 in satties. Feels kinda like a big brick. Luckily for me I understand variance and am okay with booking a loser. I did watch most of a training video and read a couple nice articles that were helpful and will continue to work on my game everyday. I am still not certain on what MTTS I am favoring on merge, but plan on grinding a bit of 100NL why I work it out. Tomorrow will be a new day and I will attack it like I do everyday, one hand at a time. Good luck to all of you and win some money!
5/17/2012
OUCH!
I had to get a tooth removed today and that is never fun. I was able to do some poker reading while I waited at the dentist and found a few things I will use in an upcoming lesson. I really feel the last couple weeks of poker study and preparation for lessons has been really good for me and I know I can help the people that come to me. After the extraction I went to the casino for a while to grind and take my mind off my mouth, but the short handed 1/2 NL just wasn't doing it for me. After about an hour I decided to head home and maybe try to eat and possibly play online. I was able to get a little food in me and then I played 300 hands of 100NL and won almost 3 buy-ins. It was a good short session but that is really what I was after when I started. I was happy to then watch the Thunder beat the Lakers in a game they were never really ahead in and now I plan on relaxing and possibly playing some Tiger Woods 13.
5/15/2012
Tuesday Grinding
I couldn't decide what I wanted to play today but after spending a couple hours in the poker chat and sweating in "1outerme" I decided to play some 100NL. I have been back playing online for a few days now and I have won at 100NL everyday and tournaments are always less consistent. After yesterday with losing in tournaments but winning at 100NL I thought I might spend some time playing 100NL for a few days and see if I could run up a bankroll. Today I played 621 hands and managed to win 15 bbs per 100 to come out a buy-in and a half up. I caught myself making a few plays I am not happy with and will be working on that the next session and hope to increase my profit rate. Good luck to all the grinders out their, get it in good or bluff your butt off, lol.
Monday Grind
I played 7 tournaments today with no cashes but did make a couple buy-ins at 100NL. I was also able to reconnect with several guys from my old poker chat group when my buddy Tarzan4 invited me into his chat and that was a great reunion. It was cool catching up and grinding along my buddies.
Today was a small setback for me after a decent couple days and in a way I think it's helpful. It could be very easy to come off a long break, run good early, and let that fool you into thinking it won't take lots of hard work and effort. A quick reality check is always good to help hone in the focus and bring attention to how important it is to attack each day with the same amount of positivity, focus, determination, and mental toughness. To do anything at a high level you have to be prepared to put in some work and handle some adversity. I will put in the work and can handle the adversity. One thing that helps me is positivity and I found an awesome post by my friend Doug Lang yesterday that really hit home, make sure and check a previous post for that link.
Tomorrow I will be watching some training videos and doing a hand history review but I will probably play some 100NL too. I have enjoyed the 100NL grind the last few days and might maximize on that some tomorrow. Good luck to all you grinders out their, stay positive and get that money.
Please contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
Today was a small setback for me after a decent couple days and in a way I think it's helpful. It could be very easy to come off a long break, run good early, and let that fool you into thinking it won't take lots of hard work and effort. A quick reality check is always good to help hone in the focus and bring attention to how important it is to attack each day with the same amount of positivity, focus, determination, and mental toughness. To do anything at a high level you have to be prepared to put in some work and handle some adversity. I will put in the work and can handle the adversity. One thing that helps me is positivity and I found an awesome post by my friend Doug Lang yesterday that really hit home, make sure and check a previous post for that link.
Tomorrow I will be watching some training videos and doing a hand history review but I will probably play some 100NL too. I have enjoyed the 100NL grind the last few days and might maximize on that some tomorrow. Good luck to all you grinders out their, stay positive and get that money.
Please contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
5/14/2012
Thank you Mr. Lang
This is a blog post written by Doug Lang, (OU_dlanger610). It is so awesome and really hits home for me so I wanted to post it here for yall to read.
http://www.pocketfives.com/blogs/ou_dlanger610/how-positivity-can-elevate-your-mtt-game-part-1-586855/
http://www.pocketfives.com/blogs/ou_dlanger610/how-positivity-can-elevate-your-mtt-game-part-1-586855/
Sunday
I played another online session yesterday and was able to cash in 2 out of 10 tournaments. I was not able to make a final table but did have two finishes in the top twenty. I also played some .50/1 and was able to pick up a couple buy-ins to break about even on the day.
Playing online again is awesome and I didn't realize how much I missed it. It is a lot different now and I am only playing on one site, so the volume is smaller. I have some ideas on how to use that to my advantage and plan to still keep up some live volume as well. I have a tendency to get totally invested in what I am doing and seem very one-track minded. I think this can be used to my advantage and believe I have done so several times but as I grow I am starting to understand how important it is to manage my time. I don't want to play online 14 hours a day everyday. I am going to attempt to play online, play live, give lessons, and have personal time for video games and friends.
Another thing I wasn't really aware I was missing was writing. I know I am not very polished and might ramble on some, but I do enjoy writing. This blog has helped me grow in many ways since I started it and I am glad to be contributing again. I hope you enjoy my rambling and please leave a comment.
Contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment for lessons
Playing online again is awesome and I didn't realize how much I missed it. It is a lot different now and I am only playing on one site, so the volume is smaller. I have some ideas on how to use that to my advantage and plan to still keep up some live volume as well. I have a tendency to get totally invested in what I am doing and seem very one-track minded. I think this can be used to my advantage and believe I have done so several times but as I grow I am starting to understand how important it is to manage my time. I don't want to play online 14 hours a day everyday. I am going to attempt to play online, play live, give lessons, and have personal time for video games and friends.
Another thing I wasn't really aware I was missing was writing. I know I am not very polished and might ramble on some, but I do enjoy writing. This blog has helped me grow in many ways since I started it and I am glad to be contributing again. I hope you enjoy my rambling and please leave a comment.
Contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment for lessons
5/13/2012
Meanwhile, I am back!
Well, I decided to deposit on Carbon Poker today. I have played on this site before but it was all off of a player transfer and today was my first deposit. Today was also my first full grind session since Black Friday. I entered a couple tournaments this afternoon and bricked out but picked up a buy-in at .50/1. Then I took a break and played some Tiger Woods golf but had poker running through my mind. So after a bit I got back online and registered in a few more tournaments. I built a few stacks and got close to the money in a couple before taking a nasty beat or two, but got deep in one. While grinding down my last tournament I started playing .50/1 again and picked up two more buy-ins and then finished 3rd in the tournament for almost 1k.
I definitely felt some rust as I played today but was able to shake most of it off rather quickly and was happy with how well I took a few beats and kept right on going. Meanwhile, I am back!
5/12/2012
Talking Poker
When I started trying to take the next step with my poker game in 2010 I would listen to all the Poker Podcasts that were out there while grinding. What I heard in almost every podcast interview when a good player was asked what advice they had to give people wanting to improve, was to talk poker with friends and join a chat group. The first thing I did that felt like I was moving forward was start an online chat group. We began on Aim but after a while we moved to Skype. We would share hands and comment on them while we were all grinding several tables. This was huge because it would not only open our eyes to different ways to play, but it would also shows us other ways to think about situations. Generally speaking each player attacks things differently. So hearing several points of view helps you to range different players later.
One of the things I want to offer with Variance101 is a live chat group of sorts. Each person that takes lessons with me will gain access to me through email and text, subject to my availability of course. I am usually around and accessible and that will give them someone to talk poker with. I also hope to be able to possibly pair some people up and have some group discussions of sort. My point being is that I know how important talking poker is, and I will help get Team Variance101 on that path.
I know if I get a few grinders out there interested in taking some steps to cutdown on mistakes, understand some things about the game that are hard to see until your shown, and to start talking poker, we could build us a "Team Variance101" that benefits us all moving forward as we improve.
#TeamVariance101
Got reconnected with the Merge Network / Carbon Poker today and got my grind on! I played two tournaments and a few hours of cash tables. The play was about what I expected and I was able to pick up a buy-in or two. I also re-joined pokerXfactor training site and watched some videos. I am always trying to stay sharp and work on my own poker game, but today I was also using pXf to prepare for some upcoming lessons I have. I get motivated when improvement is in the air and #TeamVariance101 is filling the air.
Contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info/appointment
5/11/2012
Lesson
Just ended an awesome lesson with an old friend from the pool hall that plays a lot of poker now. Wow how the time flew by, I enjoy talking poker so much. We only did one hour but it was actually a great lesson and we covered a lot. I love how much I get into the zone when talking poker. We mostly went over "having a plan" by far one of the most important things out their. The lesson went very well and I believe we were both happy. I cant wait to give some more, but it should be about a week. I sent them home with some light reading and my contact info so they can ask questions if they arise. I have been preparing for lessons and have several good ideas both verbal and visual and truly think I have what it takes to help people.
Please contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info or appointment.
Please contact me at variance101@gmail.com for info or appointment.
"I played perfect!"
I am sure you know these people. The ones that after a session or a tournament or liable to try and tell you they just played "Perfect". Uh, um, yea freaking right. Basically the best you could possibly do is play to your max potential or maybe try and reach the limit of your abilities. Not even Tom Dwan or Phil Ivey are capable of playing "Perfect". It is in the moment that they are telling me that I want to tell them the story about the two guys in the pool hall. One of them won and the other often lost. The winner knew how he played and kept his ego out of it. With this he was able to match up and get in gambling games he could win. The other was maybe a little better but cocky. So cocky that he thought he was better than he actually was, always ran up hill while gambling, and to often did not get the money. About the only way to make money at pool is to know how you play. If you think you are better than you are you will always get in games over your head and it will be very hard to win. But if you know what to expect out of yourself and have a realistic image of how you play, then you can get in games and win. Not only is this knowledge of how you play helpful when it comes to the matching up but more importantly if you ever want to improve you will need to know what to work on. Only by having a realistic idea of how you play will you be able to take the necessary steps to improve.
Here is a couple examples on how this relates to poker. Simply put if you don't understand your weaknesses you're liable to get in tough games or not notice when they are tough. You are liable to play on to long when the game may not be very profitable. You may play to many games and not have ever tried to learn enough about them. And very importantly if you already think you play perfect, then what room do you have to improve? I think it is very important to know how you play so you will know what to be working on and what steps you need to take to keep progressing in an ever evolving game. That's why most people mistakes are ones that they do not know they are making. They probably do not know that some of their plays are a mistake. A lot of people might not be giving this enough thought and should realize the only way to improve at poker is to work on your game, talk poker with friends, and maybe take some lessons.
No ego, no emotion, just poker! Long live poker! Good luck all!
Here is a couple examples on how this relates to poker. Simply put if you don't understand your weaknesses you're liable to get in tough games or not notice when they are tough. You are liable to play on to long when the game may not be very profitable. You may play to many games and not have ever tried to learn enough about them. And very importantly if you already think you play perfect, then what room do you have to improve? I think it is very important to know how you play so you will know what to be working on and what steps you need to take to keep progressing in an ever evolving game. That's why most people mistakes are ones that they do not know they are making. They probably do not know that some of their plays are a mistake. A lot of people might not be giving this enough thought and should realize the only way to improve at poker is to work on your game, talk poker with friends, and maybe take some lessons.
No ego, no emotion, just poker! Long live poker! Good luck all!
5/09/2012
Another set of lessons.
Just confirmed another set of lessons with an above average player with average problems. Here we have a person that has played for a few years and read a few books, but has some common problems. They play very straight forward so it's easy to tell where they are. Even when they bluff and value bet it seems straight forward. With some help on winning hands without a showdown, flop textures, c-betting, understanding how to 3-bet, how to react to a 3-bet, avoiding the limp, opening ranges, shove charts, squeezing, and aggression this player will be pwning in no time. I can't wait to get started.
If any of this seems appealing and you to want to see if I can help bring out more of your potential please contact me.
If any of this seems appealing and you to want to see if I can help bring out more of your potential please contact me.
5/08/2012
Next
I have at least one lesson this week, I think maybe more and other than that I will be probably playing some 1/2 NL at Riverspirit. It was a decent Mid-South Poker Series for my friends even though I couldn't manage a tournament cash. I am not sure what my next tournament will be yet but I will be sure to post when I know. I have enjoyed preparing for lessons because I get so much out of it. Having all this poker information running through my head is awesome.
5/07/2012
Poker and me
I was always a pool player, ever since I saw "Jeff Melton" play some 9ball at Billiards in Springdale, AR when I was 15. I knew right then that I would be a pool player. I had only played a little up until this point going with friends on some weekends but after seeing Jeff play I started going during the week to practice. It wasn't long before I was better than all my friends and the $1 ring games became profitable on the weekends. During this same time I caught my step-dad cheating on my mom and my sister had already been through several things including a child at 17, she is 4 years older than me, so I think I was rebelling a bit and I found myself at the pool hall all the time. My mother was having hard times, my sister lived with her husband and I had not seen my poor excuse for a real father since I was 9 years old, still haven't. I call a bomb threat at school and get expelled and then got my GED, wow what a great way to spend the most important controversial years of your life, weeee.
I had some jobs but most only lasted until I had a few hundred dollars then I would be playing pool. I was 16 when my mom was getting married again, selling the house she could not afford, and leaving to Nashville in the RV she got for the equity in the house. They said I could go with them but I chose to live with a friend and get a job. This lasted a few months then I went to Tulsa with a friend and stayed about eight months grinding at pool and staying in hotels and with friends, it was chaos, I didn't even have a vehicle. I learned a lot of hard lessons during this time but ended up broke and hungry and I had to do a very painful thing, I called my sister to come get me.
I lived with my sister a while but it was rough, she was married, with two kids, and it just wasn't an ideal situation. I was working and playing pool again and reunited with the friend I lived with and moved back in with him. He lived way out in the boondocks on this huge area of beautiful land all divided up by his family and most of them lived there. He loaned me a vehicle and kept me alive until I worked and earned enough at my job to reimburse him. I worked at a grocery store and did just that while always still playing pool a little. Then I managed to get to work at his families auto shop with him and started making even more money. We lived together, worked together, then we would go play pool and try and make money at that together, it was a blast. We hustled and practiced and hustled and practiced and took many trips to Tulsa on the weekends for the pool tournaments.
This was around the time I was also introduced to poker. We would play the occasional home games with guys we knew from playing pool. A lot of high Chicago, and number games, and kris cross, just all kinds of funky dealer choice games. I was able to win more than I lost at these games and felt like I was okay at poker, hahahahaha, so green. So we are working and playing pool but I knew I wanted more, and thats when a door to door magazine sales manager stops in the shop to get car work done and recruits me.
I am thinking I'll sale magazines door to door in all these cities then go hustle pool after. On the first stop after packing up and leaving with them and we go to Tulsa, OK. It's the first day and we are working an apartment complex when I run into some other guys working door to door. They sale automotive coupons and are based out of Dallas which is our next stop. I instantly hit it off with two of them and they fill me in on some knowledge about door to door magazines and they recruit me to join them. I tell them I will think about it and call when I get to Dallas after I have made a decision. So we get to Dallas and I decide to go, and four others come with me. Mutiny on the deck!
Now I am working as a door to door salesman based out of Dallas living in a one bedroom apartment with my manager and two others working 6-7 days a week, traveling a lot and staying 5 to a room in motel 6s with low sales on the floor. It's here I meet the mother of my two boys that lives in Atlanta, GA where she was recruited into that business. We worked together for a while which made the "two to a bed" thing not as bad because I was never low sales and she would sleep with me. We end up getting pregnant, about the same time she gets really homesick, and we were both tired of the door to door sales thing even though I was pretty good at it. We had just got our own apartment when she decided to quit, but I was still working. She manages to get a ride to Atlanta from her father that drove a truck, and I end up quitting soon after and going to Springdale to see my friends and family. It's here that something brutal happens, we spend some time apart and she falls in love with Atlanta again and won't leave her family. The only way I get to see my son is if I move to Atlanta too, but I'm broke with no family to really fall back on, and with pool and gambling as my background I needed my friends and connections to stay alive, I was horrified. I really wanted to head down their but had no money and kept hustling to try and gather money but as I did that, time kept going by and we grew further apart and then broke up long distance. I was selfish and in a way confused, I really always thought I was going to be this great pool player and when I made it things would be so much easier, but time just kept passing by.
As my son was turning a year old his mother and I had been talking more and more and I finally decided I would head down there and see if we could make it work. It was a cool reunion and getting to see my son was amazing, although his mom was so different and I couldn't really figure out why. I was there a couple weeks or so before heading back to Dallas to meet up with one of our old co-workers who had his own door to door company selling automotive coupons, and I was going to get to work. When I got there though, we didn't do much working, it was hot outside and we could not get motivated. So after a week or two of hanging out and being lazier than I should have, I took off to Tulsa to start playing pool and try to get myself where I wanted to be.
It was at this time I started staying with a girl I met after I caught her watching me play pool a few times. She said that she could not get pregnant, but then a month or two later in the same week, I found out I had two more kids on the way. One from the girl I was living with, and another from my sons mother in Atlanta, and we had been safe all but one time, oh no. Needless to say I felt like the girl I was living with had lied to me and after some other weird brutal issues I also thought she might be crazy, so I moved on.
It was around this time while having my own apartment in Tulsa and a live in GF that I started to run a poker game out of my apartment. Holy cow, I might start to talk poker now. So I run a game one day a week and it's going well. I am not really learning anything about poker just hosting a game and usually winning and still knowing I am pursuing pool. Thinking back on it now I am amazed at how green I was and that I never even thought to try and get better. After a while my game got popular and one of my friend wanted to join in. I helped him get a table and was going to share the game and work together, we would both have a day of the week for our game and tell each crowd about the other game and share players. But soon after I got falsely accused of cheating by an idiot and my game died and his flourished, I was so pissed I just gave up and focused on pool.
I was pretty much done with poker after that except the little bit I would play in Vegas while there for pool, but was always over my head. Then I hear about online poker in 2003 or 2004. I join Partypoker and play, but never really gave myself a chance and very stupidly and cockily thought I was better than I was. I never even knew to think about trying to learn the game and improve at it like I did pool. I am truly ashamed at how cocky and foolish I was. I would play $55 sit n go's all day and when I would win, I would usually lose it all back. I was a fish.
A few months later I get a call from a friend saying he secured a position at a casino and that poker was coming Tulsa. So I went and got hired and was trained to deal, then floor, then train dealers. Now around this crowd and with some trips to Siloam to play poker in a sister casino for the first time I was introduced to someone that had tried to improve at poker but it was still over my head. I was to cocky and thought I was good, meh. It was around this time the Moneymaker boom happened and I started playing more online and losing and not knowing why. Then I got in the wreck, but actually played online while in the hospital and part of my own way for dealing with it and knowing I wouldn't really play pool again after putting my life on hold for pool was to tell myself that maybe poker is for me, everyone is sitting down. When I got out of the hospital I played a lot of poker, everyday after work I would play until time to sleep and do it again. I was a winning live player, maybe not a huge winner, but I had enough common sense to stay winner but would get killed online. Those things didn't change until 2010 when I decided to take the steps necessary to improve and here we are.
I had some jobs but most only lasted until I had a few hundred dollars then I would be playing pool. I was 16 when my mom was getting married again, selling the house she could not afford, and leaving to Nashville in the RV she got for the equity in the house. They said I could go with them but I chose to live with a friend and get a job. This lasted a few months then I went to Tulsa with a friend and stayed about eight months grinding at pool and staying in hotels and with friends, it was chaos, I didn't even have a vehicle. I learned a lot of hard lessons during this time but ended up broke and hungry and I had to do a very painful thing, I called my sister to come get me.
I lived with my sister a while but it was rough, she was married, with two kids, and it just wasn't an ideal situation. I was working and playing pool again and reunited with the friend I lived with and moved back in with him. He lived way out in the boondocks on this huge area of beautiful land all divided up by his family and most of them lived there. He loaned me a vehicle and kept me alive until I worked and earned enough at my job to reimburse him. I worked at a grocery store and did just that while always still playing pool a little. Then I managed to get to work at his families auto shop with him and started making even more money. We lived together, worked together, then we would go play pool and try and make money at that together, it was a blast. We hustled and practiced and hustled and practiced and took many trips to Tulsa on the weekends for the pool tournaments.
This was around the time I was also introduced to poker. We would play the occasional home games with guys we knew from playing pool. A lot of high Chicago, and number games, and kris cross, just all kinds of funky dealer choice games. I was able to win more than I lost at these games and felt like I was okay at poker, hahahahaha, so green. So we are working and playing pool but I knew I wanted more, and thats when a door to door magazine sales manager stops in the shop to get car work done and recruits me.
I am thinking I'll sale magazines door to door in all these cities then go hustle pool after. On the first stop after packing up and leaving with them and we go to Tulsa, OK. It's the first day and we are working an apartment complex when I run into some other guys working door to door. They sale automotive coupons and are based out of Dallas which is our next stop. I instantly hit it off with two of them and they fill me in on some knowledge about door to door magazines and they recruit me to join them. I tell them I will think about it and call when I get to Dallas after I have made a decision. So we get to Dallas and I decide to go, and four others come with me. Mutiny on the deck!
Now I am working as a door to door salesman based out of Dallas living in a one bedroom apartment with my manager and two others working 6-7 days a week, traveling a lot and staying 5 to a room in motel 6s with low sales on the floor. It's here I meet the mother of my two boys that lives in Atlanta, GA where she was recruited into that business. We worked together for a while which made the "two to a bed" thing not as bad because I was never low sales and she would sleep with me. We end up getting pregnant, about the same time she gets really homesick, and we were both tired of the door to door sales thing even though I was pretty good at it. We had just got our own apartment when she decided to quit, but I was still working. She manages to get a ride to Atlanta from her father that drove a truck, and I end up quitting soon after and going to Springdale to see my friends and family. It's here that something brutal happens, we spend some time apart and she falls in love with Atlanta again and won't leave her family. The only way I get to see my son is if I move to Atlanta too, but I'm broke with no family to really fall back on, and with pool and gambling as my background I needed my friends and connections to stay alive, I was horrified. I really wanted to head down their but had no money and kept hustling to try and gather money but as I did that, time kept going by and we grew further apart and then broke up long distance. I was selfish and in a way confused, I really always thought I was going to be this great pool player and when I made it things would be so much easier, but time just kept passing by.
As my son was turning a year old his mother and I had been talking more and more and I finally decided I would head down there and see if we could make it work. It was a cool reunion and getting to see my son was amazing, although his mom was so different and I couldn't really figure out why. I was there a couple weeks or so before heading back to Dallas to meet up with one of our old co-workers who had his own door to door company selling automotive coupons, and I was going to get to work. When I got there though, we didn't do much working, it was hot outside and we could not get motivated. So after a week or two of hanging out and being lazier than I should have, I took off to Tulsa to start playing pool and try to get myself where I wanted to be.
It was at this time I started staying with a girl I met after I caught her watching me play pool a few times. She said that she could not get pregnant, but then a month or two later in the same week, I found out I had two more kids on the way. One from the girl I was living with, and another from my sons mother in Atlanta, and we had been safe all but one time, oh no. Needless to say I felt like the girl I was living with had lied to me and after some other weird brutal issues I also thought she might be crazy, so I moved on.
It was around this time while having my own apartment in Tulsa and a live in GF that I started to run a poker game out of my apartment. Holy cow, I might start to talk poker now. So I run a game one day a week and it's going well. I am not really learning anything about poker just hosting a game and usually winning and still knowing I am pursuing pool. Thinking back on it now I am amazed at how green I was and that I never even thought to try and get better. After a while my game got popular and one of my friend wanted to join in. I helped him get a table and was going to share the game and work together, we would both have a day of the week for our game and tell each crowd about the other game and share players. But soon after I got falsely accused of cheating by an idiot and my game died and his flourished, I was so pissed I just gave up and focused on pool.
I was pretty much done with poker after that except the little bit I would play in Vegas while there for pool, but was always over my head. Then I hear about online poker in 2003 or 2004. I join Partypoker and play, but never really gave myself a chance and very stupidly and cockily thought I was better than I was. I never even knew to think about trying to learn the game and improve at it like I did pool. I am truly ashamed at how cocky and foolish I was. I would play $55 sit n go's all day and when I would win, I would usually lose it all back. I was a fish.
A few months later I get a call from a friend saying he secured a position at a casino and that poker was coming Tulsa. So I went and got hired and was trained to deal, then floor, then train dealers. Now around this crowd and with some trips to Siloam to play poker in a sister casino for the first time I was introduced to someone that had tried to improve at poker but it was still over my head. I was to cocky and thought I was good, meh. It was around this time the Moneymaker boom happened and I started playing more online and losing and not knowing why. Then I got in the wreck, but actually played online while in the hospital and part of my own way for dealing with it and knowing I wouldn't really play pool again after putting my life on hold for pool was to tell myself that maybe poker is for me, everyone is sitting down. When I got out of the hospital I played a lot of poker, everyday after work I would play until time to sleep and do it again. I was a winning live player, maybe not a huge winner, but I had enough common sense to stay winner but would get killed online. Those things didn't change until 2010 when I decided to take the steps necessary to improve and here we are.
5/06/2012
Variance101 Training
Here is to give an idea of what you could see while starting lessons with me. Granted, each persons lessons will be tailored to the individual so keep that in mind while I tease you with an example.
I had a person come to me that plays a little better than the average player in this area. He/she has a decent understanding of a lot of concepts and does some things right pretty often even if he/she doesn't understand why he/she is doing them right or for what particular reason. He/she is also lacking a little in knowing about effective stack sizes and shove charts and how and when to apply that knowledge, which causes them to lose so much value. I don't think he/she has a plan for the way their hands play out enough and they reevaluate to often, but can still manage to sometimes make decent decisions.
Basically with that I have said that this person is above average in this area but then I just as quickly and simply pointed out four easy things I could help them with. If they were to have a far better understanding of just these four things they might quite easily increase their profits 5%-30%.
For this person I have chosen to have them start with reading about twenty pages of important poker knowledge and highlight anything that they have any slight question about. I will then spend the first of our lessons making sure every piece of that knowledge, including the four points above, is understood fully while using examples and videos and anything needed to help gain an understanding of the material.
I mean truly all I will be doing is sharing knowledge most don't know until you are told and making sure the most important fundamental rules and staples of no-limit hold em are understood. I won't be teaching someone how to play poker as much as I will be helping them understand more about the game, help them understand some of the most common mistakes seen in poker and how not to make them, and help them learn how to understand value and equity which leads to reasoning behind every move and ways to find which is correct.
I'll be waiting to here from y'all, good luck!
I had a person come to me that plays a little better than the average player in this area. He/she has a decent understanding of a lot of concepts and does some things right pretty often even if he/she doesn't understand why he/she is doing them right or for what particular reason. He/she is also lacking a little in knowing about effective stack sizes and shove charts and how and when to apply that knowledge, which causes them to lose so much value. I don't think he/she has a plan for the way their hands play out enough and they reevaluate to often, but can still manage to sometimes make decent decisions.
Basically with that I have said that this person is above average in this area but then I just as quickly and simply pointed out four easy things I could help them with. If they were to have a far better understanding of just these four things they might quite easily increase their profits 5%-30%.
For this person I have chosen to have them start with reading about twenty pages of important poker knowledge and highlight anything that they have any slight question about. I will then spend the first of our lessons making sure every piece of that knowledge, including the four points above, is understood fully while using examples and videos and anything needed to help gain an understanding of the material.
I mean truly all I will be doing is sharing knowledge most don't know until you are told and making sure the most important fundamental rules and staples of no-limit hold em are understood. I won't be teaching someone how to play poker as much as I will be helping them understand more about the game, help them understand some of the most common mistakes seen in poker and how not to make them, and help them learn how to understand value and equity which leads to reasoning behind every move and ways to find which is correct.
I'll be waiting to here from y'all, good luck!
Hard Rock $550 Main Event
40 players started at noon today with 4 getting paid, I got 7th after about nine hours, weeeeeeee! I really feel that I played well today and that the last week I have grown in my poker game. I knocked some of the rust off and realized a couple leaks while talking with a good friend. Poker is an ongoing work in progress. I also was able to hand out several business cards for Variance101 and I hope to be hearing from people soon so we can get started.
Good luck everyone!
Good luck everyone!
5/05/2012
Day 1B Hard Rock 100k
About to head to hard Rock for the 100k gtd day 1b and I am feeling good. I came home after getting knocked out yesterday and chose to stay at home and relax mostly with the thought of being well rested and prepared for today. I caught myself yesterday making an error that I don't make much anymore, and honestly it was awesome. Say what you will but you will not learn anything by playing "perfect". It takes mistakes and correcting mistakes to improve. One very common problem with poker players is that they don't know they are making a mistake and they win just often enough to believe they are good winner. With not knowing and thinking that they are possibly better than they are their growth is stunted until they realize and start working harder at improving. I played pool for a living for many years and the only way to make money is know how good you are so you get in games you can win. I thought I was using that at poker until I took lessons and then I was so angry with myself for thinking I was better than I was. That realization alone helped me improve dramatically. I took a few months off at the beginning of the year and there is a little rust on my game, yesterday's mistake and the fact I didn't catch it until I was reflecting on my play last night at home, even more proves the rust is there and the necessity to stay sharp with your game, always talk poker, and keep learning by reading and taking lessons. I know after some reflecting last night, some poker review last night and today, and just the fact I realized I was rustier than I thought, that today will be an awesome day. Good luck to all of you and contact me for lessons I am ready to help.
Update- Got knocked out with about an hour left in play until day 1 ended. I went with what I thought and I ended up beat, it happens. Hard Rock has shown some improvement the last couple events by listening to the players so that's good news, good luck to any of y'all still in.
Update- Got knocked out with about an hour left in play until day 1 ended. I went with what I thought and I ended up beat, it happens. Hard Rock has shown some improvement the last couple events by listening to the players so that's good news, good luck to any of y'all still in.
A friend sent me this today!
| If If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream---and not make dreams your master; If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:. If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! Rudyard Kipling |
5/04/2012
5-4-12 100k GTD at Hard Rock, TULSA
Heading out to play Day 1A of the 100k gtd at Hard Rock. Good luck to all of my friends going to play. I hope this is a good turnout and that I get to pick up a few more students as well. RUNGOODPLAYGOODFTW!
Update. Made it through about three hours of play then got it all in pre flop with AQ vs 1010 flop com Q52810 weeeee, GG. I will be playing Day1B tomorrow.
Update. Made it through about three hours of play then got it all in pre flop with AQ vs 1010 flop com Q52810 weeeee, GG. I will be playing Day1B tomorrow.
5/03/2012
A brief history
When I started playing hard core online in 2010 I was a losing online player for 5 years and sick of it. I was a winning live player though. So I really took trying to get better to heart. I started a chat group and took some lessons while using bankroll management very wisely and slowly increasing my buy-ins. I started with a $500 deposit on Absolute poker and ran it up to about 15k before starting to attack Full Tilt and Pokerstars again. I am still probably a loser on Full Tilt but I am a winner on Poker Stars and a huge winner on Absolute. Right from the beginning I knew I wanted to someday give lessons. I used to play pool for a living and teach that and then I worked at a casino and trained poker dealers on how to deal, I love to teach. So with that in mind when I started playing I also started blogging so I could show my path. All 215 final tables have been screen shot captured and logged in this blog. All my lessons and time spent in the chat has been talked about and blogged. Take a look and see where my journey took me and why I think I am more than qualified to give someone my all and help them improve.
I also blogged on pocketfives.com check it out here http://www.pocketfives.com/blogs/cracker9ball/
I also blogged on pocketfives.com check it out here http://www.pocketfives.com/blogs/cracker9ball/
5/01/2012
Played the Hard Rock 100k gtd. and the Riverspirit 15k gtd. this last weekend in Tulsa,OK after a little break away from poker some at the beginning of 2012. I made day 2 but did not cash at Hard rock but did manage a 9th place at Rivespirit. My friend Mike who I have been helping with his poker game made the 4 way chop of the 100k gtd. for 11k, great job Mike!
I have been giving some lessons and enjoying it so I have been handing out several business cards while I play poker and hope to pick up some new students that I can help. Teaching is fun and fulfilling and believe it or not helps keep me fresh and have all the proper thoughts on the forefront of my mind.
If you have received a card from me check this blog out and email or call to set up and appointment and we will get started at fixing a few leaks you could have and get you making more money. Good luck everyone.
I have been giving some lessons and enjoying it so I have been handing out several business cards while I play poker and hope to pick up some new students that I can help. Teaching is fun and fulfilling and believe it or not helps keep me fresh and have all the proper thoughts on the forefront of my mind.
If you have received a card from me check this blog out and email or call to set up and appointment and we will get started at fixing a few leaks you could have and get you making more money. Good luck everyone.
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