I played 10 more hrs before leaving Vegas and won $26.

It was a fun and productive trip, I can't wait to go back. Here are a few pics.

Some casinos on the Strip-







Aria poker room-



My room at Holiday Royale (this place was clean and quiet, I would recommend to anyone on a budget, 15 min walk to the Strip.)-





Updated graph-



Added a few chips to my poker chip collection



Got a few decks from gamblers general store-



Cool, I hope not .

I've thought about it.

September 2011

Total hours played- 10
Pace- 12
Average hourly winrate- $21
Winnings- $208

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 571
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8137

I played 5.5 today and lost $166. My first day back grinding at the Oaks, got in the hole pretty quickly getting 99 cracked by 88 aipf, then ran middle set into top 2 aiotf and got 2 outed. Had a little poker karma at the end of my session when I cracked AA with KK aipf. Over all, I am satistfied with the way I played today.

I have a few more hands I wanted to share from my Vegas trip, here is one-

Aria 1/3

I am utg with AK I open for 13, I get 3 callers.

flop- AQ8

1 check in front and I bet 35 into 51, mp loose villain calls. folds to sb who c/r all in for 120 more. From what I had seen sb had played straight forward so I didn't think he was pulling a move and could easily have AQ or 88 which I am drawing slim against. I'm a slight favorite over KJ, K10. I study sb for tells and he wasn't giving off much but I could sense a little strength. I fold, other villain tank folds what I am assuming was a fd.


September 2011

Total hours played- 14.5
Pace- 24
Average hourly winrate- $9
Winnings- $142

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 576.5
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $7971

been following for a couple of weeks now and really enjoying this thread. wishing the best of luck to you OP. b/f-ing that board seems criminal but im lagtarded and experience bigger swings than you with most likely a similiar WR

Pure, what are your plans now? Back to the grind at the Oaks?

I played 7 hrs today and lost $119. I played in the 2/4 today, the game was good. I was pretty much treading water the whole session, missing most flops and taking some unsuccessful stabs.

It was a pretty sick spot and a tough fold but I determined it was a value raise and it was just big enough to push me out. I'm glad you enjoy the thread, any input is welcome.

Yes sir, I plan to just go back to grinding at the Oaks for awhile, maybe hit up some other local rooms for a change of scenery.

September 2011

Total hours played- 21.5
Pace- 28
Average hourly winrate- $12
Winnings- $261

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 583.5
Average hourly winrate- $13
Winnings- $7852

I played 5.5 hrs today and lost $45. No 2/4 running today. Spent most of the session digging a hole 3betting and cbetting overs but couldn't make a pair when I needed to. The action was pretty awesome at the table toward the end of my session and I played this hand-

I opened for 8 from mp with JJ I've got 263. 3 lp callers and I didn't realize it but the straddle was on and the staddler makes it 29 total he has over 1k behind and has been playing loose. I ask a couple questions to get a feel where he's at. I consider raising here but decide to flat.

Villain to my left calls and has 90 left, a tilted shorty to his left jams for 43 more, one lp fold. Straddler flats and at this point I am relatively confidant I am stronger than both lp villains. I also think I am ahead of straddlers range because I think he would certainly raise QQ+, and my hand is super under repped. So at this point the pot is already ridiculous so I raise 100 on top and of course we all get it in pf.

The shorty ends up shipping the main pot with K10, straddler missed with AQ (4th villain mucked) so I take the 425 sidepot.

Kind of funny how the whole hand got started by my accidental min raise pf, I can't remember the last time a minraised pf in a cash game haha, it always cracks me up when I see people do it.

I'm slightly behind pace for my target this month but I am feeling strong and ready to put in some volume.

September 2011

Total hours played- 27
pace- 32
Average hourly winrate- $11
Winnings- $306

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 589
Average hourly winrate- $13
Winnings- $7807

I played 5.5 hrs today and won $225. I took a trip down memory lane and put in a session at the first casino I ever played at, Jackson Rancheria. The tables were very loose passive, I had one neighbor mention that he doesn't get why people would raise before the flop.

Here is a hand I played-

I'm in lp with QJ, I make it 10 over 2 limps who both call.

Flop- AA5
checks to me I fire 15 into 30, 1 call

Turn- J
check, check

River- 6
villain snap shoves for 90 into 60, I am pretty sure this line is usually a flush I fold.

September 2011

Total hours played- 32.5
pace- 36
Average hourly winrate- $2
Winnings- $81

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 594.5
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8032

I played 4 hrs today back at the Oaks and won $71. Uneventful session, I squeezed from the blinds 3 times and didn't get looked up. Just about even on the month so that is good, time to venture into the green.

Here is one more hand I played in Vegas at the Mirage-

I pick up AA in the bb, I make it 10 over 2 limps, both call.

Flop- KJ9
I lead for 15 into 28, recreational player raises 40 and is all in. lp villain flats (I've got 180 behind and he covers) and I figured him for 2p+ so I let it go.

V1 ended up have tp no kicker and of course V2 had flopped the nuts. I guess I could have raised a little more pf but I wanted action from V1 and didn't want to annouce that I had a big hand, so I think I played it alright.

September 2011

Total hours played- 36.5
pace- 40
Average hourly winrate- 0
Winnings- $10

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 598
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8103

gl reaching your goal.

I think the way for you to be successful in Vegas is to get your expenses as low as possible. Shared accommodations.

The final analysis should be this: how much money can I save per month?

I would agree that living frugally is going to be the key. I have no problems with shared accommodations.

I have been keeping a budget on my computer tracking what I spend since June. It has been pretty helpful to me. I know that when I have 3 or more bad months in a row there are some things I can cut back on, for example I could survive off cup of noodles if I really had to .

Great Trend man, i have the same goal to move to vegas but my roll going there will be around 155k, or so, prob going to get into a poker house... if your still around that time ill hit you up..... when do you actually plan on moving?

I played 6 hrs today and won $157. I played 1/2 for the first half of my session and hit the 2/4 when it got going, with an excellent line up.

Made the worst hero call I can remember with 77 on a 853 flop vs btn who jammed for 2x the pot. I hesitated for a min and I was pretty confident he didn't have a set or 2p, I was thinking he could do this with a draw. But obviously given the bet in relation to the pot size, it was a pretty bad call. He ended up having 87.

Right on, looks like you will have a big advantage over me. I am planning on moving out there in April, perhaps sooner and hopefully not later than. Definitely let me know when you are in Vegas as well and we can have a drink.

September 2011

Total hours played- 42.5
pace- 48
Average hourly winrate- $3
Winnings- $147

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 604
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8260

I played 2 hrs today and won $181. I didn't get there until kind of late, played at another great 2/4 table. Before trying the new limit, I kind of thought the 2/4 was going to be much tougher than the 1/2 but my experience so far has been that there is plenty of consistantly weak play. Today I felt the line up was softer than the average 1/2 table.

Here is a hand I played today-

I have Q8 in the bb and check it to go 5 way to the flop

Flop- Q86
Very dry flop so I decide to slow play it and check, mp bets 12 into 15, everyone calls and I call

Turn- 3
checks through

River- Q
sb bets 55 into 75, I think for a bit then jam for 184 total. folds to sb who tank folds a Q.

So I could have possibly gotten more value by min raising or maybe flatting and hoping someone else would call. This happened about 10 hands after the table started so I choose to jam because it could be interpreted as a bluff and since I didn't have to show I think it was good for my table image.

September 2011

Total hours played- 44.5
pace- 52
Average hourly winrate- $7
Winnings- $328

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 606
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8441

raise flop bet turn, Qx is rarely folding to that line on the flop/turn

what dh said. don't slowplay live.

whats the max bet at oaks...100 or 200?

I didn't want to c/r the flop because that could set of alarm bells. I think betting like 1/2 pot on the turn would have been good. With so many people coming along on the flop I anticipated that I could c/c the turn. If the pot was just a little bigger on the river there is no way Qx can fold.

Can you elaborate please? Slow playing is not my standard line but I do slow play occasionally on safe boards for variety.

1/2, 100 max bet
2/4, 200 max bet

looks good

I played 5 hrs today and won $54. Another day on the grind, was hopping around different tables trying to settle into a good seat. No real big or interesting spots, was winning medium pots and losing medium pots. The action was pretty thin.

September 2011

Total hours played- 49.5
pace- 56
Average hourly winrate- $8
Winnings- $382

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 611
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8495

I played 5.5 hrs today and won $109. Nothing much to report from todays session.

I wanted to let you guys know I'll be writing something tl;dr for my 1k post. It will be my perspective on transitioning from online to the live arena post black friday.

September 2011

Total hours played- 55
pace- 64
Average hourly winrate- $9
Winnings- $491

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 616.5
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8601

Ill be looking forward to it. You have had a very successful transition. Im interested in your take on ranges in live. Especially the dynamics of ranging 3 bettors.

I wouldnt worry about alarm bells, I dont think Qx is folding the flop too often, sometimes not even the turn. That how you stack AQ/AA/KK; by building big pots. PLus youre playing OOP, in a multiway pot. c/r for MAX EV

I played a short 2.5 hr session today and won $101. I'm continuing to run good after a slow start this month. I noticed I have been shutting down when scare cards hit automatically. I think there are times when I should be betting more rivers for thin value. I can always fold to a raise.

I'm behind pace and I know I have been a little lazy as usual about getting the hrs in. That's something I need to improve. I need to pick up some slack and play longer sessions to reach my 120 hr target by the end of the month.

As far as ranges go, as soon sit down with players I haven't played with before I start to gauge how tight or loose they are by watching the frequency they enter pots and see what kind of hands they show down from which positions. I always assume 3bets are a tight range until I see evidence to the contrary. I think it is ok to stereotype a little bit too, younger players are much more likely to 3bet wide, while some seniors only 3bet KK+.

I think c/r the flop would be ok. I definitely should have bet the turn no matter what to grow the pot and potentially stack sb on the river.

September 2011

Total hours played- 57.5
pace- 76
Average hourly winrate- $10
Winnings- $592

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 619
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8705

I played a 2.5 hr session today and won $50. I literally didn't pick up a playable hand for the first hr and a half, which is always a little irritating. I guess I should be glad I'm just blinding down and not getting coolered for stacks. I'm planning on putting in a full day tomorrow.

September 2011

Total hours played- 60
pace- 80
Average hourly winrate- $10
Winnings- $642

2011 YTD

Total hours played- 621.5
Average hourly winrate- $14
Winnings- $8755

Hey man, thanks for reading my thread, I'm glad your enjoying it. As a token of my appreciation, I'm going to give you my two cents on how you can grind up a bankroll and finally get a chance to move out here!

First of all, I love the simplicity. It's easy to follow your process and how your grinding up from the 1/2. And that's probably the way you should play the lower limits in live poker; abc, simple, level 1. I have to ask though, why is it taking so long to move up? I would think that it involves the simplicity aspect. I go over a couple pages and see that you don't play any interesting spots for hours on end. How can this be, in a game where there is limping+dead money all over the place? Maybe some interesting hands can involve pots where you squeeze to take down the blinds or over-isolate in position everyone at the tables because hardly anyone adjusts properly to this.

I would recommend not being so money-aware. Personally, I'm not sure what my exact bankroll is, and why should I, since from a psychological aspect, the less I think about money and results, the more I'm in tuned and aware in my performance.

I admire your dedication and passion for the game of poker. Anyone who reads just a few posts can see this. And I also see that your content with where you are, which makes you the richest man in the land. But...if you really want to grind up that bankroll and start making moves, then start wanting more for yourself. My heater is due to me wanting more and planning out trips to travel all over the world soon, so that was my motivation. Find out how bad you want it, how successful you really want to be, and you'll give it, since I have a feeling you can do better than your results show. And both of us have to remember, these threads are for ourselves. It's very pleasing the support you get and people that root for you, but in the end, it's for ourselves because its our journey. GL bud