Not Leaving Jobs

I've been in the IT field for over 20 years and my fiancee works for the state. I also am a crypto currency trader, IT consultant and also working on a small side business involving music and blockchain. I realize I'll need to scale back some of the projects.

I work remote, so I have a tendency to travel quite a bit and work out of the country. For 2017, I will remove that completely after my next trip ends in March.


Summary

At the end of 2017, I want to have a bankroll around $40,000 to play 5/10 and 5/5 PLO as my main game. On top of my 50-55 hours of work during the week, I will play about 30-40 hours of LIVE poker. I realize I have a LOT to learn.


No Limit Poker Background

I've been playing poker on and off for about 12 years. I played 2 years 'professionally' at 1/2 online and 2/5 casino with part of my income derived from teaching part time comp sci at one of the local universities around 2008-2010. I currently play a few home games 15 hours a week at 1/3 and 2/5 levels.


Omaha Background

I've played mid/high Omaha on and off for the last 2 years. I might only get in a few hours a month so it's hard to determine win rate. Although I do well, I could be on a heater. I don't seem to do as well in 6max and full ring. I've used money from Bitcoin to fund that adventure. Over the last few months, I've not played much at all. I'd like to clean up some fundamentals for live play.


Skill

Slightly better than average 2/5 live player


Study Material

I've read through all the major NL and PLO books. Although I've used some of the bigger training sites in the past, I've focused primarily on Bart Hanson's CrushLivePoker since it's focused on live play. Casino drive is 3hrs 45min, I stay all weekend, I plan on reviewing podcasts on the drive up and back.


Schedule

M-Thurs - Work - 11 Hours
M-Thurs - Fiancee - 4 hours
Friday - Sunday - Poker - 40 Hours *It's a lot, but I've done it for months at a time at a local casino 2 years ago*
Side Projects / Contracts - Limit to 5 hours a week


Why

Financially, there are no worries. I'm doing this because I want to see how far I can push my learning. I want to sit at the bigger tables next year. I love the game and want to make this a journey for 2017.


Bankroll

I've taken the last 2 months of profits - $6k as my starting point


Bankroll and Limits

I know some might find error with buying in for $100 at 1/3. This is to help me control my tilt issues. Over the last few months I switched to this initial buy-in and have been able to better cope with the ups and downs. I don't rat hole being a live player, I just run it up sitting at the table for 10+ hours a session.


Let's say I'm at 8k and my bankroll hits 6k, I go back to the original rules for 6k. I'm okay with moving up and down the ladder for experience.

$6,000 * 1/3 - 100
$8,000 * 1/3 - 200
$10,000 * 1/3 - 200 and 1/2 PLO - 200
$12,000 * 1/3 - 300 and 1/2 - PLO - 200 and 10/20 - Limit
$16,000 * 1/3 - 400 and 1/2 - PLO - 300 and 1/2 - PLO - 300
$20,000 * 1/3 - 500 and 5/10 - 600 and 1/2 PLO - 300 and 1/2 - 200 Big O
$25,000 * 5/10 - 800 and 1/2 PLO - 400
$30,000 * 5/10 - 1000 and 1/2 PLO - 500 and 5/5 PLO - 500
$35,000 * " " maybe deeper
$40,000 * " " maybe deeper


Start

I will execute this plan in full starting the last week in February. Over the next 30 days I'm traveling to 5 countries as well as playing in Vegas and LA.


Workout

3-4 times a week M-Thurs at 5am. I've also been working on cutting back on soda and other sweets.

Bankroll Start: $5,000

Current Bankroll: $5,204

150+ hours a week starts: Last week of Feb 17

Adjustment: I applied $1000 of the original 6k to another investment

Session 1: 5hr 45min, 1/3 NL

Profit/Loss: +$204

Location: Oklahoma

What went right:

- Experimented with increasing aggression on semi-bluffs
- Thin value on river
- Larger bet sizes on wet boards
- Focus on handreading first few hours
- Categorizing players and tendencies

What went wrong:

- Stealing pots with players that call down light
- Tilt which had me playing crap like 82s
- 3 bets against tight player preflop ranges
- Lazy hand reading toward end of session
- Need to smile more when losing pots
- Too many straddles, 1/3 players aren't paying much attention to image

Coolers:

Variance took its toll on AK vs AK and overpair against overpair on large pots.

I'm playing 4 days in Vegas next week and then onto LA.

Subbed, all the best! Will you ever be passing through and playing in London?

(Day 2)

I appreciate the subbing, good to hear from you. I was in London 2 years ago and really enjoyed the vibe. I'd like to get back there and play some cards this time in late summer. How's the live poker scene there?

Prep Focus:

I will be in Vegas for 4 days next weekend. Over the next 6 days, I'm focusing on tilt control. I've bought the 2 audio books from Jared Tendler on the mental game.

Live Vegas Focus:

- Tilt control (avoid playing nonsense hands after losing a big pot)
- Keep a casual smile when hit with a bed beat. If bad beats didnt happen, the table is not as profitable.
- Focus on what next cards either help or hurt me. This tends to weaken the longer a seasion runs.

I'm learning that plugging some of my major leaks is FAR more important than new study material.

Scene is pretty good in London, you can generally find what you're looking for. Most of the games are £1/2, 1/3 and 2/5 but run higher than that at the Vic and Palm Beach, sometimes at the Hippodrome and the Empire

You must really love the game to play 1/3 and buy in for 100$. More power to you but that just something I could never do.

Thanks for the message. Sometimes I will play really deep at homegames. Right now, I'm focused on tilt control and amping up aggression. I know I have a problem with that when I buy in bigger, just one of the MANY holes I'm trying to plug.

It's quite odd, the money is insignificant compared to our household income and yet I will tilt 4x harder losing an initial 200 buy-in as opposed to 100. If I can get over this issue, I will buy in deeper earlier than planned. Based on the proposed schedule, I figured that would be enough time to work on it.

Bankroll Start: $5,000

Current Bankroll: $5,204

I'm preparing for my Vegas trip.

Jan 21 - Jan 24 -- Vegas
Jan 25 -- LA
Jan 26 - Jan 29 -- Philippines

Then I'm floating around Asia hitting whatever poker rooms are available in that country for a few weeks.
I will back Maryland MGM last week in Feb. I'll be sure to include pics/video.

Over the last few days I've been working through Jared Tendler's 'The Mental Game' audio. 5 out of 5, he's hitting all the root causes that I come across at the tables. For like $15, it's one of the best purchases I've made in the last few years.

1/22

Original: $5,000

Previous: $5204

Current: $5614 (+$410)

Location: Vegas / 6.5 hours


Flew into Vegas late last night. The games at the 1/2 and 1/3 are fairly soft as expected. My big push right now is to apply the mental game lessons from Jared Tinder's book. When someone sucked out on a 2 outer, I caught myself getting mad and reminded myself that withour variance this would be closer to chess. Still felt the emotion but recognized the issue. I still have a long way to go but was proud I'm actively working on it. A few more days of Vegas and then off to LA.

Put in close to 80 hours a week the last 8 days at work, so I've set myself up for success for more poker time. I'll probably work about 6 hours over the next 2 days and the rest of the time on poker

Original: $5,000

Previous: $5614

Current: $5844(+$230)

Location: Vegas / 3.75 hours

I'm rethinking my strategy, I will add in 2/5 200 shots at 8k and then drop back to 1/3 at 6k. If the 1/3s are better, I'll have no issue skipping the 2/5s even if I'm bankrolled.

As much fun as it is to be one of the stronger players at most 1/3 casino games, I need to get involved in tougher games.

Tilt control is getting a little better each day. I'm really focusing on improving my mental game which would be a huge win. Vegas has been a great time, I will post pics later tonight. Some of the rooms were surprisingly cramped compared to my weekend casino 'MGM Maryland'. One reason I love Venetian is the ample room to walk.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $5,844

Current: $5,884(+$40)

Location: Vegas / 3 hours

I got hit with a few coolers and few flips but managed to 3bet preflop and semi bluff enough to pull off a small win.

Leaks in my play this session (about 80-100 blinds)

1. played 65s early and called a 10 dollar raise on 1/2
2. did #1 again
3. qq5... 5. i had qt oop.. check there would have been better.. maybe called with mid pair or A high
4. min raised with JJ.. at 1/2.. most likely aa or kk.. could have folded.
5. Caught myself for a few hands playing crap after losing a few hands.
6. Limped a9s early at aggr table
7. Called 3bet with qjs
8. Missed obvious checkraise spots

I thought I would be playing more poker in the Philippines, easy to get distracted.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $5,884

Current: $5,364 (-$520)

Location: Philippines, Cambodia / 14 hours

Although I did get hit with some massive coolers for 200+ blind pots (straight on turn to rivered full house, flush over flush and AA vs QQ), I'm attributing this loss from playing too loose, bluffing too much and getting lazy on hand reading. It's vacation, somewhat hard to concentrate when there's much I rather be doing than being in a card room. I knew better but decided to grind anyway.

Lessons learned.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $5,364

Current: $6,284 (+$920)

Location: Home Game 1 / 5.25 hours

I would say Home Game 1 has some of the toughest competition of all the different tables I play. I was playing 1/3, however, with the $6 rock and 2/5 grinder level players, it's not a walk in the park. There are some soft spots that sit down throughout the night, however, the regulars can put a player to some tough decisions.

As for my big pot of the night, we were 4 ways all-in on the turn for effective stacks of like $220. K high flush, J high flush, straight and A high flush draw. I usually play my flopped flushes a little slower, however, have become more aggressive after listening to a Deuces Premium Podcast.

I'm still cbetting and bluffing overall too much at this level when it's a full table. I've been experimenting with my aggression and starting to recognize I need to dial it back in some situations. I've also been experimenting with thin value river bets rather than just keeping it polarized. I'll report back when I get some more data points.

I'm about ready to put in 40 hours of poker in the next 3 days. I wanted to make a quick update, thanks for taking the time to read.

MGM National Harbor Maryland

I'm at the poker room all weekend. I'm wearing a black/grey NY hat. If you are around, come say hi.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $6,284

Current: $7,068 (+$784)

Location: MGM Grand Maryland / 11:45 hours

Game: 1/3 - 200 buy-in (500 max)


I originally planned to play 14 hours yesterday, unfortunately my body had other plans just shy of 12 hours. What needs improvement:

- Chasing when I know I have the wrong odds
- Not able to drop a big hand when I'm obviously beat
- Too much cbetting when people hate folding
- Here's a big one, limping garbage hands because I'm bored.

Tilt control is getting better, it's a constant battle that I'm paying attention to every session. Grabbed a solid 5 hours of sleep at the hotel, getting ready to start another 10-14 hour day.

If you are at the MGM National Harbor, you must try the Ruben from their deli. Yum.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $7,068

Current: $7,560 (+$492)

Location: MGM Grand Maryland / 8 hours

Game: 1/3 - 200 buy-in (500 max)

Hours Total: 65

Highlights:

- Fast played a set to make it look more like a draw
- Bluff raising more
- Scaling back cbets at this limit
- More isolation raises
- Playing less trash when bored

Decided to come home a day early and play local home games.

Will post more pics of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines trip. If u see that hat at the Maryland poker rooms, come say hi. Snuck in a MGM National Harbor pic, the last month has been a lifechanging adventure.

Subbed glgl

If you don't have an edge keep buying in for $100. But it sounds like your savings are very large, so why not buying for the max to max your winrate. You say so you don't tilt, but you tilt because you tilt, not because of your stack size. Sounds like you have a long way to go with your mental game. Play for a while online, you might find your mojo.

Very nice to hear from you. Since I got back from Asia, I've started buying in for $200 (ahead of schedule). I'm getting use to swinging $200 buyins more favorable than expected. I definately tilt, but been working through Jared Tindner's Mental Game audio. I'm putting in the work, it's a process, but already seeing some improvement. I know I have a long way to go.

I do play a little on Ignition, will post last night's results in a few minutes. As for buying in for the full $500.00 at 1/3, I know I need a better understanding of deep stack play. I've been spending about 90 minutes a day with Crush Poker Live podcasts and videos.

I appreciate the feedback, you are absolutely right that I have a long way to go on the mental game.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $7,560

Current: $7,870 (+$310)

Location: Online / 7 hours

Game: Online NL - Different Limits

Hours Total: 72

Highlights:

- Since one of my home games canceled last night, spent my time playing online again
- I played mostly 6 max, I enjoy it over FR because the spots are more interesting
- It was nice to change it up, I don't play online much anymore.
- I went down as low as $700 and high as $900 through out the session

I'm back to playing at Home Game 1 again on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Tuesday is my poker review and tilt control day. My girl wants to spend Fri togrther so I'm leaving for the casino at 6am on Saturday.

Thank you, much appreciated.

Original: $5,000

Previous: $7,870

Current: $8,165 (+$295)

Location: Home Game 1 / 6:15

Game: 1/3 NL (100 buy-in)

Hours Total: 78:15

Highlights:

- Still buying in for $100 at this home game. I feel like I don't have that much of an edge over some of the players. $200 will continue at Casino until 10k bankroll which brings me to 300.00


- Lost a 175.00 pot Aq vs Aq on a Qxx with 2 clubs. Villian had one club and hit a club on turn and river.
- There was a very aggressive player at the table, so I had to scale back the bluffs which took me off my game a lite.
- Bluff raised a few flush and straigh draws successfully.
- Hand reading is getting better, was able to stay focused most of the game without playing with phone.
- When I lost the 175.00 pot the guy next to me said it was a bad beat. I smiled and said the guy deaerved to win, he had the backdoor. No hint of tilt, making steady progress.
- Over tip dealers as always
- Did a few merged ranges river bets with middle pair. Still experimenting with it.

Bangkok Sky Bars:

My favorite bar in Bangkok:

http://www.bangkok.com/magazine/maggie-choos.htm






The best way I can describe this bar is the feeling I got watching John Wick walk into the underground bar. There's private areas that are like mini caves, ladies on swings and a convincing old school orient vibe.