So just to let you know, this is a continuation thread from a previous goal I had a little while back. The reason I made a new thread is because I changed the game I play. I took a break from the game as well because I just wasn't in a good state of mind to play even though I was able to do well. Last thread can be found here-

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/17...-goal-1489398/

The goal was to make 10k playing sngs which I was able to get up to about $2,500 before I stopped. I decided cash would be a better choice for me now since in general it has less variance unlike tournament setups. Each decision counts for more and directly impacts your win rate. In sngs it felt like the only decisions that really made a difference were in high blinds in which set play styles limited you in what you could do.
I'll be starting from $10nl as my minimum, working from there upwards through the stakes. Even though I've already played $50nl games, I wanted to start from the bottom working my way to the top (and I don't have the br for it now). My cash BR management may vary, but for now I'm going to be going with around 20BI per level. Potentially I'll take shots earlier based on how I feel and who's playing. Also since I had left, I withdrew all the money I had made.
This post will also act as my first diary journal. Whether someone reads this or not really isn't my concern, mainly I'd like to keep an easily accessible way to record my progress.

6/30/15--7/2/15
So I figured before starting that I'd probably just deposit around $50 and go from there, until I remembered one of the sites I hadn't played on (a trustworthy site) had given me around $5 in free cash to start playing. Initially I just decided to yolo it until I realized I didn't have to redeposit again which felt great. Turning the $5 into $10, $20, then $50 was a big confidence boost especially since I hadn't played in awhile. I can tell my thought process has evolved a lot over the break as well, constantly ranging opponents without much effort. Anyway kind of tired so just wanted to get this post out. I'll periodically update and post my graph.

7/2/15 - $100

So past few days have been kinda rough. Was up around $15 at the 10nl tables and then just wasn't hitting anything for awhile. I'll admit I tilted a little (the part where the graph crashes lol), then was able to make a bit of a comeback. It's easy to commit to something when you're winning, hard when you're losing. That's just poker and need to deal with it better if I want this to be a real thing for me. Not sure if I've mentioned it, but I'm playing one table at a time. In the past I've multi-tabled to little success and always did well when I was just playing one. It can be tilting though when you're getting like 80-100 hands per hour and it's just all garbage vs loose passive players that you just KNOW will pay you off while they chase their gutshots lol. Anyway happy 4th of july.

Edit: Oh and by the way things started flat lining when I got cocky and just figured I could watch youtube in the background while playing. Doink.

Alright so back on track. I decided that one of my biggest problems is lack of proper table selection. I do get a bit confused on what the line between bum hunting and table selecting is, but I know the most important thing is profit. I don't want to only play worse players though because I know I need to actually improve myself if I plan on moving up in stakes in the future. But yeah, I've mainly been looking for tables where I know for a fact I'll get paid and haven't been running terrible so that helps. My player base is smaller than a site like pokerstars so it can be tough getting an ideal table together, but have to work with what I got. Anyway, boom-

Account - $140

I was just wondering what site you are doing this from?
USA or ROW?
Good luck

Good Luck, I am about to start playing again and I think it might be a good idea for me to set some goals, not as high as 10k though

I'm playing in the US at the moment, but plan on moving to Canada and playing on pokerstars or something eventually. I hope you don't mind, but rather not say where I play at the moment.

Yeah go for it, goals are a great way to push yourself and track your progress. GL

Day continued...



How do you go from $5 to $182 in a week?

MAGICU!

So I'm going to admit something... I've been taking shots at higher stakes than my br should go for. The reason though is that... Some of these games are just so ridiculously soft. I mean when you find a table of ppl with vpips of like 50 on avg with like 0% fold to 3bet you just can't help yourself! The money is just soooo good. To the fish out there, never change, you're perfect just the way you are ^^

This was 50nl over the course of about an hour or so...

What happens when an unstoppable force meets and immovable object? Idk I'll tell you when I see one.



BR: $305

Goodluck man, I would be careful taking shots at 50nl when you have a 305 BR though. You're not going to be playing optimally =/

well technically i was playing 50nl with $180 br. The thing is these aren't new stakes for me because I used to play 50nl before I stopped playing and was doing quite well at the stake (see original thread). The amount wasn't making me play differently at all, but I get the concern.

down $70 today. Got frustrated vs this guy paying everyone with nothing and I just couldn't get a hand to play. Finally made something and should've made the right fold, but out of frustration called. Idk, I suck at poker.

so was crashing the past few days. wasn't getting much to play with and also my thinking was just really stale. I noticed myself searching for only soft spot tables and just trying to wait for a hand to bust em and just frustrating myself when they wouldn't call. I ignored position and made the more passive play overall. Idk when, but it just kinda hit me like wtf am I doing? That's not playing poker and improving that's just being a weaktight nit. So to loosen myself up, the other day I just 3bet every single button. It was glaringly obvious vs some of the regs who did fight back with me in which I'd have to 5bet and play super aggro post flop to do well. Didn't really make any money that day since I wasn't really hitting anything and all the money I had made was from getting people off hands, but the experience was great. So playing more lag in general and forcing myself to actually play poker. Anyway was down about 100 until today, then boom, up again.



BR: $309

so took a brief break from playing since I had lost a little confidence. Came back with a fresh mindset. Staying at 10nl-25nl when I find good games.



BR: $336

Looks like you are tilting / losing confidence pretty quickly. Should be getting more used to variance, and accept the moments that you are card-dead for a while.

This is the reason that, even though you did play 50nl before, shouldn't play 50nl with a 305$ BR. Losing 6 bi's due to variance is right around the corner.

You seem to be doing really good around 10nl though, so just build up your BR there, get used to variance around this levels, and build your way up from there. I feel like you can easily do it if you get your mental thoughts together.

GL

yeah I agree. Didn't want to admit it to myself, but I wasn't playing my best at 50nl simply because I'm not rolled for it and the losses just impact me more. I've been sticking to 25nl and doing well. I'll probobly take shots at the next bi lvl when I have around 12-15 bi. Anyway day continued, up $100 (started at about $270) for the day

Edit: It was actually pretty hilarious the 2nd session I had. Like EVERYONE kept trying to bluff me in thin spots. I'm not usually one to call river bluffs, but they all felt off.



BR: $367

Still on the low side. I'd go for at least 20 bi's for next level. Even that's pretty aggresive.

nice thread man.
care to share some positional stats?
keep up good work and get your hands on mental game of poker two

Decent graph mate tbh. Interesting that you only play one table though, that must be great for bb/100 but maybe not so good for bb/hour?

How many hours has it taken you to play those 8k hands?

Yeah I know the standard is 20-25 and is the safer smart play. I'm not as volatile as I used to be and I know I can beat these games so when I lose 1 bi I generally stop and do something else, but yeah I hear ya.

I'm assuming this is what you mean?



Yeah I actually read a some of the mental game of poker 1. It's a good book, but felt the amount of help it could give me was limited. I'll look into it though thanks.

yeah, that's the one. ty.
about MGP i did felt same as you. MGP2 is pure gold though, life changing.

Max I can do is about 2 tables, any more than that (for now) and I can almost guarantee a losing session. Not because of a confidence issue, but I just can't track all the info being given. For the most part when I'm playing one table, I make the right decision and it's fairly easy because it feels like I already know what they're holding. Not to brag, but think right now I have about a 30bb/100. This will obviously go down over time (hopefully not xD), but I think it's mostly due to the fact that I'm keeping tabs on all my opponents and their tendencies. Playing each spot differently based on who I'm playing. The hours I have no clue :P

Edit: I'm also not really concerned with bb/hour. I mean as long as you're working on your game and moving up that will increase over time. My only focus is to be consistent and improve my play.

I'll have to give it a try then Thanks a lot

ashamed with myself. These ppl try to give me their money and I'm not confident enough to take it. Don't deserve to win today.

my new favorite way to go off tilt. Play freerolls or playmoney and go all in every hand lul.

yeah so I tried 4 tabling and started off well. Then I made 3 huge river calls I wouldn't normally make. Not multitabling again.