Looking forward to little more life balance

Life Balance:

Greetings everyone.  So far this month I have been continuing to read a couple of poker books, as well as follow the blogs of a couple of my favourite pro poker players. 
The main point that has been hammered home by http://www.philgalfond.com/it-always-comes-back-to-balance-doesnt-it/, is that in my current situation I am lacking life balance. 

I think Phil is such a great writer, and obviously a genius when it comes to playing poker.

Anyways, back to my situation.  Right now I get up every morning, work untill 5pm at my job in a computer repair store, mess around for an hour or so (either playing with my daughter Jessa, or sometimes playing Fifa 12 online with my good friend Rob Atha), eat dinner (which recently has been a lot of takeout, due to complete lack of inspiration when cooking), then play poker for 2-3 hours, then bed around 11:30-12:30.  Rinse and repeat Monday-Friday.  Weekends are normally spent mostly cleaning house, and playing as much poker as I can during the peak times.

I occasionally watch an episode of lost (we're up to season 5!) with my wife in the evening, otherwise I have no 'other' life outside of my job, and my poker.  I live in a very small town, so there isn't much I'd be interested in doing other than grinding away, trying to build my poker career. 

All is not lost though.  Hopefully within the next 3 months we will be moving to Lincoln, Nebraska.  Lincoln has around 250,000 people, with a lot of things I would want to do with both Jessa and Tasha.  Also, (most importantly for me right now in terms of what's missing) I have a group of friends down there that I would hang out with.  There's also a great foosball scene in Lincoln, so I wouldn't feel so rusty when I hit tournaments.

There is only two things that are missing from Lincoln when I think about my perfect life.  My mom and sister (I hate that they are missing out on my daughter growing up), and the best online poker solution.  Ideally I would like to move back to the UK (home!!) where poker is far more accessable, and also tax free whenever I decide to take a shot at being full time.

For now though, Lincoln is a great option to take.

Monthly progress:

As far as this month goes, its been pretty interesting.  I have found it VERY hard to not look at my total bankroll/sharkscope stats, or other monthly stats.  I know I'm floating somewhere around the $5k mark, which annoys me that I know that!  I haven't checked sharkscope once, but whenever I look at EV graphs I can work out how many buyins up or down I am for the day/month.  As of today I'm gonna try not to look at EV graphs either.  Bankroll will be hard not to look at, given it displays your bankroll everytime you register a new game.  I'll try my best to not look at it though!

Playing wise, I think I have played pretty good.  Last night was the first night where I felt I tilted a couple of games, otherwise its been a good month so far.  I think all of my games have either been $50's or $78's, with the exception of an accidental mis click register to a $40 super-turbo.  Action has definitely been slower, with a lot of the $78 games being against regs that sit me.  It seems that my stats are not quite worthy of open sitting a $78 lobby yet!  I am getting mostly weaker players sit me at the $50s though, which reassures me that my play is solid.



Goals revisited:

Goal wise, I don't think I will be able to hit 415 games.  I was naive to think I could, in hindsight.  I am going to Las Vegas on Wednesday for a big foosball tournament, and won't be back untill Tuesday the following week.  I simply can't make up that kind of lost ground in volume.  What I WILL try and go for though is 'water status' on CarbonPoker.  Its the equivalent of platinum star status on Pokerstars and will get me around $218 in rakeback for the month If I hit it.  As long as I keep playing $50's and $78's then I don't need to play as much and can get away with around 340 games for the month.  Still tough given my Vegas break, but definitely achievable with hard work. 

Hope this wasn't too much of a ramble!  Good luck everyone!

February overview: Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Stats for the month:

 

Total bankroll:

$4,190.70 - Probably my last bankroll update as I plan to cash out most of the profit I make from here onwards.  $4k, seems a good amount to keep in to play the $50-100 level.  

This month has obviously been pretty sweet. I've had bigger months than this before, but that was back in my degenerate days with no bankroll management / responsibilities. I used to play up to $3-$6 6-max cash games on a $2000 bank roll. Big pimpin :P

Due to some horrible periods of sickness, I actually don't feel like I've played my best poker at all times. I've had a really dodgy stomach for about the last 2 weeks, which has even meant taking a couple of days off from my full time job also.

Anyways, the stats/graph speak for themselves. I have ran pretty good.

Things I am happy with this month:

My volume. If it wasn't for the sickness, I think I could have hit 400 games in a shorter month which included a foosball tournament.

My ability to 2 table with less mistakes for longer periods of time.  I can't see myself 3 tabling anytime soon (nor wanting to).

Forcing myself to feel comfortable at the $50 level. It's easier when you are running well, but I definitely feel more comfortable at this level now.

Poker goals for next month:

Play 425 games – That will be my biggest month volume wise.  It will also be more of a challenge given that action is definitely slower at the $50 level.

Play a minimum 5% of those games at the $78 level – Although I certainly don't feel ready to take on the $78+ level, I have a good enough bankroll for them. No harm in taking a few shots and evaluating from there.

DO NOT CHECK ANY STATS OTHER THAN GAMES PLAYED!! - This will be interesting. I want to go a whole month without checking my bankroll, sharkscope graph, total profit for the month, etc. I will edit my poker tracker to only display total games played, that way I have no way of accidentally seeing any of my stats. I am curious to see how much this will help me focus on my A game, and not worry about results. If I go on a downswing, then I will be able to check bankroll purely for good management reasons. 

Keep studying – I will finish reading 'The Poker Mindset' (Boo, I failed my Feb goal), 'Let there be range', and continue to discuss interesting hands that come up with friends on skype / forums. 

Interesting hand:

SB: 1,660.00
Hero (BB): 1,340.00

SB posts SB 10.00, Hero posts BB 20.00

Pre Flop: (30.00) Hero has As Jh

SB calls 10.00, Hero raises to 80.00, SB calls 60.00

Flop: (160.00, 2 players) Th Qd 6s
Hero bets 80.00, SB calls 80.00

Turn: (320.00, 2 players) Jd
Hero bets 220.00, SB calls 220.00

River: (760.00, 2 players) 5d
Hero checks, SB bets 1,280.00 and is all-in, Hero calls 960.00 and is all-in

SB shows Kh 6h (One Pair, Sixes)
Hero shows As Jh (One Pair, Jacks)
Hero wins 2,680.00


I really tanked into the time bank before making this call.  He was a pretty weak player who had played top pairs fast on a couple of boards previously, so I just couldnt see him check calling two streets with QX.  I was fairly happy I was ahead by the river, but didn't put him on much of a hand.  For this reason, I think checking is best to induce bluffs from hands that can't win at showdown.  Obv wasn't an easy call, but I think its profitable against this player in the long run.

Taking a break:

I'm gonna spend the next two days trying not to play any poker at all.  I wanna fully recover from this illness as well as catch up on housework / other life duties.  Hopefully I will be 100% and raring to go when March 1st gets here!!


Good luck to everyone for next month and beyond!  Untill next time, peace!

Coaching session + Life goals

Monday morning I had my coaching session with HokieGreg that was made possible due to some legendary people who voted for me.  Thanks again everyone :)


Obviously was happy with how this went.  We got loaded up skype, teamviewer, and began to review one of my matches.  Its cool to see where you went right, but MUCH cooler to see the spots / thought processes that were perhaps not the best. 
The main thing I took away from the session was that I have a tendency to 'get it in good', which means folding in spots that are +EV, in order to find better spots later in matches.  Given that you never know when that next spot might come up (if it ever does!), it is important to take the +EV whenever possible. 
Perfect example is if you are 100% sure that your opponent is 3 bet shoving you with a low pocket pair and you have A9 suited.  You have 1500 chips and the blinds are 15/30.  Pot odds say you need 48% to be break even.  A9 suited has 49.7% equity vs 22.  This makes it a +EV call.  Not only is it a +EV call, but it is far better for your hourly rate in the long run also.  I hope I got the maths right in this equation.  I have always been an average mathematician at best. 

The important thing to take in, is that I mostly pass up on this opportunity hoping to find a better spot.  Problem being, I cannot guarantee that a better spot will ever come up.  Especially in a short format heads up SNG match.  No matter how bad the opponent is.


So yeah the session went great, and I definitely took a few things from it.  I wish I could continue coaching with Hokie, but for the forseeable future I will be utilizing other learning tools as much as possible. 


With regards to how things are going in life at the moment, I have not been 100% well this last week or so.  This has stopped me from going to the gym on a few occasions, so I plan to get back on track in that area.  Other than that, things are good!  The winter hasn't been too brutal so far, my baby girl has been stringing some asburdly huge sentences together (for a 2 year old!), and I've just been promoted to Division 3 of the online Fifa 12 head to head seasons mode.  :P

February stats - On schedule to complete volume goal...

Stats for the month so far:

Pretty pleased with how I've played this month.  Not hit many patches of run bad, which has allowed me to feel pretty positive about putting in good volume, with a lot of 2 tabling involved.  I could easily see myself winning at the $50 level, but it is just ridiculously slow action in the USA at that level.  I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do yet.  I'll keep playing them when I get action, but long term... I'm praying that online poker gets fixed soon in the states!! 

February goals and where I stand currently:

Play 350 Games - Only 84 more to play in 8 days.  I'm gonna try and shoot for 400 total actually.

Play at least 20% of games at the $50 level - 29/75 so far.  I should do this, action permitting.

Finish the poker mindset book - I'm still getting through this, although I still have a good chunk left to go.  I don't want to race through it and not absorb it, but I do intend to have it finished by end of the month. 

1 session a week with poker buddies - This has happened, although its not been a fixed session.  One week it has been a Thursday, the other week it was a Monday etc.  I haven't spoke with my main poker buddy for a while, but we have both had busy weekends recently.. I'm sure things will be back on track this week.  I really do think this is my favourite part of poker at the moment!  I love having someone I can go to with hand histories etc.. 

So far so good!  Good luck with all the goals everyone is working towards!

Foosmania - Good times

Hey guys, sorry its been a while.

I'm gonna split today's entry into seperate entries for easy reading.

Since I last spoke to you I've had a foosball tournament, a poker coaching session with Hokiegreg, and played a decent amount of games. 


The foosball tournament called Foosmania was in Lincoln, Nebraska so I didn't have to travel *too* far for this one.  Although 4.5 hour drive is not exactly close!

I always love playing in Lincoln.  They are such a great bunch of people, and there is always a real nice vibe when you're playing.

Results wise I am a little dissapointed with how things went, but since I am rarely practicing at the moment I can't complain too much.  I took 3rd in Open Singles (behind 2 very strong players), and I won Pro doubles.  Open Doubles was a disaster, finishing pretty much last, lol.

In a month I go to Las Vegas for the Hall of Fame Classic tournament.  Its one of the biggest tournaments of the year.  If my snake shot is anywhere near as good as the Lincoln tournament, then I fancy my chances in both pro singles and doubles again (current pro singles and doubles world champion).  My 5 row has never been an issue both defensively and offensively.  Its always been my 3 row which has let me down.  I have been using a tic tac series up front, but players are gradually wising up to this.  Luckily though I seem to have found some consistency on my snake so very much looking forward to vegas!

I spose I'll play a lil poker whilst I'm there :P  I have played a fair amount of $2-$5 cash there in the past, and it has always been profitable. 

Saturday night highlight... Denny's

I decided to take my wife out for a meal on Saturday as a half valentines day type meal..  Relax people, I've got her a gift as well.  Let's hope she likes NBA's greatest dunks on DVD as much as I do... 


Anyways, it was a meal of her choice.  There is not a whole lot of choice where I live, and she picked Denny's, Lol.  Classy.  


We took Jessa with us, and took a few snap shots messing around.  I thought it was time I showed everyone how beautiful my baby girl is, and once again how terribly ugly I am.. Please excuse the food in my mouth..

Weekends stats:

Happy with my volume, but definitely gotta start playing more $50's.  Whenever I am running below EV, I end up being pretty conservative with bankroll management. However, I wasn't really running THAT badly over the weekend. 

Considering I ran fairly bad over the weekend, I am happy with the results.  My play was good, and thats all I have control over! 


Next week I am not sure how much I am gonna play.  With Foosmania (Nebraska's state foosball tournament) coming up on Friday I am in desperate need of some practice.  I am gonna aim to play 50 games by Friday. 


Hand of the day:

Hero (SB): 1,498.00
BB: 1,502.00

Hero posts SB 15.00, BB posts BB 30.00

Pre Flop: (45.00) Hero has Jh Td

Hero raises to 60.00, BB raises to 150.00, Hero calls 90.00

Flop: (300.00, 2 players) Kd 6c Qh
BB bets 150.00, Hero calls 150.00

Turn: (600.00, 2 players) 3c
BB bets 300.00, Hero calls 300.00

River: (1200.00, 2 players) 2c
BB checks, Hero bets 898.00 and is all-in, fold

Hero wins 1,200.00
 


I have been reading a book called 'Let there be range' (still reading 'The poker mindset' also!), and it has been very interesting indeed.  

One thing it talks about is how a common leak at low stakes is how people don't triple barrel enough against the right type of player.  
They can 3 bet pre flop, then fire the standard C bet on the flop.  Maybe fire a second barrel, but then hardly ever 3 barrel as a bluff. 

I thought this description perfectly fit this particular opponent.  I had seen him raise pre flop and fire c bets nearly 100%.  Once he was called on the flop, he would occasionally fire second barrels, but mostly would shut down.

The turn call I guess could be seen as bad, given that he wasn't often betting the turn as a bluff.  I definitely thought there was a big chance he would check/fold on the river though.  Plus I had *some* equity.


The main thing I was happy with, was how I directly applied something that I learnt from my studying. 


Recap next weeks goals: 


Play 50 games with 25 of them at the $50 level.
Carry on reading 'The poker mindset'.
At least one foosball practice session before Fridays tournament.
Be an awesome husband (slave) on valentines day.

Poker, Poker, Snow, Poker, and Poker.

I am gonna have the song in the post, that way you can listen whilst you read. :P 


Sorry its been a little while, I've got a tad lazy with blogging due to a small downswing.  I have been trying to play as much as possible as long as I'm playing well.


Anyways, onto the stats for the month:

I was actually around $600 profit after about the first 4-5 days, but as mentioned I have run into a little downswing.  I'm pretty happy with the volume I'm putting in right now, and have been tinkering with the idea of increasing my volume goal (350 games) for the month.  


Next weekend I will be at a foosball tournament though, and the weekends I normally play far more than in the week.  

You may notice some $20s in there, and not many $50s.  The reason for the lack of $50s was because of the downswing.  Its pretty nitty I know, but at least this way I know I will never go busto!  The reason for the $20s is because there was a day where the $30s were running slow.  I needed to make use of the time as best I could.  

Altho I'm still prone to speeding up my timing when I'm in a downswing, I've been overall satisfied with my decision making.  I mean this mostly when I think about how bad I have been in the past during periods like this.  The Poker Mindset book is definitely helping me play better, and also has given me a real hunger to put volume in!


A new poker buddy made:

I recently contacted someone who used to play on the professional foosball tour around 6 years ago.  He quit foosball to play poker fulltime, and so I wanted to know what he was doing since black friday.  Talking with him has been really great.  He specializes in cash games, but its easy to see that he has a great knowledge of the game.  He's been very helpful, and I'm glad I decided to contact him.  I have used donk betting a lot more since speaking with him, and I really think its good vs other regs at the lower levels.  I know I don't like it when a player donk bets into me with a considerable frequency!




I will write something about what else is going on in my life on Sunday.  Having said that, it must be told that almost all of my free time recently has been spent either at the gym or grinding at the tables!  Makes for a boring post I know, but I suppose its a good thing!  :P


Good luck with whatever it is you're aiming for!