Objective: To get the **** out of the micros. ASAP.

What and When: To be bankrolled for $1/2 or above by 05/20/12 (my birthday).

Starting Bankroll: $100
Ending Bankroll Goal: $4000+

Start Date: 02/08/12

Poker Locations: Merge/Local Card Room @ The Horseshoe Hammond.

Hello all 2+2 readers! This is my first post and I am currently on a mission to build up a substantial enough bankroll for some small to mid stakes action! This isn't going to be like the other wannabe Chris Ferguson/Daniel Negreanu because I WILL ACHIEVE IT! Why you ask?

#1: I have total and utter belief in myself and my poker skills.

I know thats not enough because what poker player doesn't otherwise why is he playing?

#2: I have been to the top and IT FEELS GOOD!

As I was moving up I had a bankroll of $25k at one point in my life but lost it due to lack of bankroll management. Which leads me to…

#3: I will exercise a very methodical bankroll management plan.

That means what? Yup you already know it: 20-25 BI for NL cash games. Mostly 6-max. 50 BI for SNGs. And 100 BI for MTT. I will mostly be playing 6-max NLHE cash games.

#4: I have time.

Apart from my job, which takes about 30 hours of my time a week, I can play poker whenever I want! And I exercise regularly so stamina is not a problem.

You guys can already do away with all the naysayers and Buzz Killingtons because I can simply ignore you! Much appreciated, however, will be insightful advice over the situations that will present themselves over the course of this thread. I will be posting interesting hands, graphs, and bankroll updates daily!

Wish me luck! And good luck too all!

P.S. Find me on Merge as Timbochamp002 and say hello!

I'm getting really excited to start playing! Couple of things I want to remember before I start my adventure.

1. Do not be discouraged by the short term runs of bad luck (or overly confident over a recent win streak).

2. Study the game at least 2 or 3 times a week whether I'm at work or night time reading before bed so that I can strengthen and mantain my fundamentals.

3. Take a 5 BI shot at a higher level when feeling frisky and good. Do not take this shot until you are in the poker groove probably at least 1 month into the challenge.

I am a big proponent of learning off other people's mistakes so if you guys have some words of wisdom or interesting anecdotes feel free to share

I'm on a similar path as you.. trying to build up a decent roll from scratch. GL with everything, i'll definately be following your progress. See you at the tables.

Thanks good luck to you bro! It's been done countless times by dedicated hard working people who have invested the time and energy into the craft they have choosen. Just show a little intelligence here and there and you may be the next durrrr!

First of GL, I hope you succeed!

Just a tid bit of advice though. Show a lot of intelligence every time and everywhere not just here and there. I know you probably didn't mean the above literally, but make a conscious effort to apply the "every time, everywhere rule." Don't allow yourself to go on auto pilot, may that be at the table or in life. You mentioned some set backs in the past. Truly examine those situations and identify the causes and make the necessary adjustments.

Again, GL and make it happen!!!

subbd! best of luck to you!

Thanks guys! Loving the positive energy!

S-15 good advice I sometimes have the tendency to go on auto pilot especially when I play multiple tables. I'll try and devote all my energy and effort into the current moment without the regret of the past or the anxiety of the future in life or in poker (Given that I actually learn from my past mistakes instead of forgeting about them).

I guess my biggest flaw was not knowing when to quit and not knowing how to control tilt so this time around I am going to play on a strict schedule, at least in the beginning, and I'll also be taking frequent breaks after tough beats like going outside for some fresh air or quitting all together for that day.

I'll be playing my first session of this challenge from 1:30 pm to 3:45 pm tomorrow and I will post results and interesting hands after.

By the way this isn't just a poker challenge I will try and revamp my entire life by exercising and eating healthy and getting on a regular sleep schedule (with the aid of sleeping pills for the first few days because I have pretty terrible insomnia). I am currently 5'11 155 lbs with a six pack and my body is lean and cut but I want to add a bit more size and mass I'll MAYBE post before and after pictures if the results are outstanding. Again no need for haters because I just don't care!

Live well brothers (and sisters)

Day 1:

Pretty good start in my first session I'm up $11.44 in the $0.02/0.04 6-max cash games and up $4.00 in $2.00+0.20 SNGs.

Ran a couple I'll timed bluffs like this one but ended up winning!

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

SB: 2,002.00
BB: 2,548.00
Hero (BTN): 4,450.00

SB posts SB 50.00, BB posts BB 100.00

Pre Flop: (150.00) Hero has K 2

Hero raises to 200.00, fold, BB calls 100.00

Flop: (450.00, 2 players) 4 9 2
BB bets 400.00, Hero calls 400.00

Turn: (1250.00, 2 players) 7
BB bets 400.00, Hero calls 400.00

River: (2050.00, 2 players) J
BB bets 400.00, Hero raises to 3,450.00 and is all-in, BB calls 1,148.00 and is all-in

Hero shows K 2 (One Pair, Twos) (PreFlop 58%, Flop 20%, Turn 11%)
BB shows 9 J (Two Pair, Jacks and Nines) (PreFlop 42%, Flop 80%, Turn 89%)
Hero wins 0.00
BB wins 5,146.00

The other one I played tight till the blinds were at 50/100 and I had about 1300 left and got in AQs vs JJ and lost. Oh well..

In the SNG I won I got extremely lucky HU in an AI pot

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

SB: 6,536.00
Hero (BB): 2,464.00

SB posts SB 100.00, Hero posts BB 200.00

Pre Flop: (300.00) Hero has 8 8

SB raises to 6,536.00 and is all-in, Hero calls 2,264.00 and is all-in

Flop: (4928.00, 2 players) 4 J 9

Turn: (4928.00, 2 players) 8

River: (4928.00, 2 players) 7

SB shows A J (One Pair, Jacks) (PreFlop 44%, Flop 89%, Turn 18%)
Hero shows 8 8 (Three of a Kind, Eights) (PreFlop 56%, Flop 11%, Turn 82%)
SB wins 0.00
Hero wins 4,928.00

Sweet... Quick food break and back to grindin =)

Total winnings today: $15.44
Total bankroll: $115.44

Day 1 2nd Session:

Up $13.31 in cash games and $5.20 in SNGs.

Running pretty bad but still winning... Wondering how much I'd be up if I ran like I was suppose to.

Bad hands:

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

SB: 5,172.00
Hero (BB): 3,828.00

SB posts SB 100.00, Hero posts BB 200.00

Pre Flop: (300.00) Hero has J J

SB raises to 5,172.00 and is all-in, Hero calls 3,628.00 and is all-in

Flop: (7656.00, 2 players) 3 6 A

Turn: (7656.00, 2 players) 2

River: (7656.00, 2 players) 4

SB shows A 7 (One Pair, Aces) (PreFlop 32%, Flop 91%, Turn 95%)
Hero shows J J (One Pair, Jacks) (PreFlop 68%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)
SB wins 0.00
SB wins 7,656.00

Earlier which gave away the chip lead...

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

BB: 2,984.00
Hero (SB): 6,016.00

Hero posts SB 75.00, BB posts BB 150.00

Pre Flop: (225.00) Hero has 3 3

Hero raises to 300.00, BB raises to 2,984.00 and is all-in, Hero calls 2,684.00

Flop: (5968.00, 2 players) A A T

Turn: (5968.00, 2 players) 4

River: (5968.00, 2 players) 8

BB shows 4 A (Full House, Aces full of Fours) (PreFlop 49%, Flop 89%, Turn 100%)
Hero shows 3 3 (Two Pair, Aces and Threes) (PreFlop 51%, Flop 11%, Turn 0%)
BB wins 5,968.00

Same SNG:

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

SB: 2,635.00
Hero (BB): 3,194.00
UTG: 2,443.00
BTN: 728.00

SB posts SB 15.00, Hero posts BB 30.00

Pre Flop: (45.00) Hero has A A

fold, fold, SB calls 15.00, Hero raises to 90.00, SB calls 60.00

Flop: (180.00, 2 players) K 8 6
SB checks, Hero bets 120.00, SB calls 120.00

Turn: (420.00, 2 players) 7
SB bets 120.00, Hero calls 120.00

River: (660.00, 2 players) 6
SB bets 240.00, Hero calls 240.00

SB shows 8 8 (Full House, Eights full of Sixes) (PreFlop 100%, Flop 100%, Turn 100%)
SB wins 1,140.00

Quick break and back to cash games I guess... One more hand this hand is so LOL:

Merge - $0.04 NL - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

MP: $4.65
CO: $9.38
BTN: $4.00
SB: $4.02
BB: $5.33
Hero (UTG): $6.32

SB posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.04

Pre Flop: ($0.06) Hero has Q A

Hero raises to $0.12, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB raises to $0.36, Hero calls $0.24

Flop: ($0.74, 2 players) A J J
BB bets $0.49, Hero calls $0.49

Turn: ($1.72, 2 players) A
BB bets $1.14, Hero calls $1.14

River: ($4.00, 2 players) 3
BB checks, Hero bets $1.00, BB calls $1.00

Hero shows Q A (Full House, Aces full of Jacks) (PreFlop 46%, Flop 92%, Turn 100%)
BB shows 7 7 (Two Pair, Aces and Jacks) (PreFlop 54%, Flop 8%, Turn 0%)
Hero wins $5.70

Thank god for fish eh?

Total winnings today: $18.11
Total bankroll: $118.11

Day 1
1st session

Hand 1 I think was okay til the river, I think personally i'd have folded even though his bets were kinda weak almost begging for a call.. imo if you're gonna try making a move on him take ur shot on the turn raising the pot and mucking if he shoves. Although I prefer calling the turn and folding the river.

Hand 2 with the blinds at 100/200 and his chip advantage, along with him being on the button having a wider shoving range.. definately agree with the snap call.

Day 2
2nd session

Hand 1 Snap call imo well played

Hand 2 Could make a case for folding here, him being in the OOP I think he's shoving a tighter range.. but with a 2-1 chip lead it's not a bad play either imo.

Hand 3 Well played, good job not shoving over the top and losing more chips.. When he check/calls the flop and raises the turn, definately had to be worried.

Hand 4 Well played, mabye 1/2 pot on the river for more value although he may have not called.. so nh.

You're making some good progress, keep it up bro. GL

Yea I don't think I played TOO bad although some spots were thin...

I got caught and lost a BI and half at cash game =(

Villian was 39/36 over 50 hands or so and attempt to steal was 71% with 4 bet at 100% 4/4...

Merge - $0.04 NL - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

CO: $5.96
BTN: $9.13
SB: $4.26
Hero (BB): $3.16
UTG: $4.06

SB posts SB $0.02, Hero posts BB $0.04

Pre Flop: ($0.06) Hero has J 3

fold, fold, BTN raises to $0.10, fold, Hero raises to $0.36, BTN raises to $0.95, Hero raises to $3.16 and is all-in, BTN calls $2.21

Flop: ($6.34, 2 players) 5 2 6

Turn: ($6.34, 2 players) 2

River: ($6.34, 2 players) 7

BTN shows Q Q (Two Pair, Queens and Twos) (PreFlop 84%, Flop 82%, Turn 91%)
Hero shows J 3 (One Pair, Twos) (PreFlop 16%, Flop 18%, Turn 9%)
BTN wins $6.03

Day 1:

2nd session is now over whew my brain is on fire! I ended up playing the 6-max turbo SNG and realized that so many fish just want a quick gamble and its crazy how loose they are. I placed 2nd and I was aggravated because I got my A3 in against K10 HU about 10 BB deep and lost it but I knew I could beat it.. I signed up for 2 more and:

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

Hero (BB): 7,592.00
SB: 1,408.00

Hero posts ante 25.00, SB posts ante 25.00, SB posts SB 150.00, Hero posts BB 300.00

Pre Flop: (500.00) Hero has 9 7

SB calls 150.00, Hero checks

Flop: (650.00, 2 players) 6 7 Q
Hero bets 7,267.00 and is all-in, SB calls 1,083.00 and is all-in

Turn: (2816.00, 2 players) J

River: (2816.00, 2 players) 6

Hero shows 9 7 (Two Pair, Sevens and Sixes) (PreFlop 36%, Flop 59%, Turn 75%)
SB shows 9 8 (One Pair, Sixes) (PreFlop 64%, Flop 41%, Turn 25%)
Hero wins 0.00
Hero wins 2,816.00

and then...

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

Hero (SB): 7,880.00
BB: 1,120.00

Hero posts SB 75.00, BB posts BB 150.00

Pre Flop: (225.00) Hero has 4 K

Hero raises to 300.00, BB raises to 1,120.00 and is all-in, Hero calls 820.00

Flop: (2240.00, 2 players) K K 6

Turn: (2240.00, 2 players) A

River: (2240.00, 2 players) J

Hero shows 4 K (Three of a Kind, Kings) (PreFlop 41%, Flop 100%, Turn 95%)
BB shows A 3 (Two Pair, Aces and Kings) (PreFlop 59%, Flop 0%, Turn 5%)
Hero wins 2,240.00

Two wins SHIP IT! Dinner time and then last session. First day so far so good!

Total winnings today: $26.23
Total bankroll: $126.23

Jeremy Lin is killing it! He inspires me to play better

Damn just got in 10s vs KK... There goes another buy-in...

Ima get back to the Turbo 6max SNGs... Hopefully it'll be better.

Well... There goes another two SNGs.... I can't believe how bad I played. I MUST be on tilt...

Ima take a quick break and try and finish off with a $20 win session today. All in all that would be a solid start to my challenge. Tomorrow I'm only playing cash games, promise!

Look at this bozo move:

Villain is 45/12

Merge - $2+$0.20|<> NL - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3

CO: 545.00
BTN: 1,255.00
Hero (SB): 2,319.00
BB: 2,056.00
UTG: 1,485.00
MP: 1,340.00

Hero posts SB 25.00, BB posts BB 50.00

Pre Flop: (75.00) Hero has 5 4

fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 200.00, BB calls 150.00

Flop: (400.00, 2 players) K 8 T
Hero bets 200.00, BB calls 200.00

Turn: (800.00, 2 players) A
Hero bets 400.00, BB calls 400.00

River: (1600.00, 2 players) 2
Hero bets 600.00, BB calls 600.00

Hero shows 5 4 (High Card, Ace) (PreFlop 38%, Flop 25%, Turn 0%)
BB shows 9 A (One Pair, Aces) (PreFlop 62%, Flop 75%, Turn 100%)
BB wins 2,800.00

I am done....

Just got JJ vs QQ and ran a bluff into a full house. Sure makes me wanna tilt and quit but gotta stay strong. I think I'm playing way to loose post flop and people can trap me real easy by donking their strong hands to me. Cash game winnings = $2.30 and SNG winnings = $9.80.

Total winnings today: $12.10
Total bankroll: $112.10

SIGH