Back to poker...what's your bankroll at right now? What about your life roll?

Since you plan to play in WSOP events, I'm curious how much of your bankroll will be on the felt at any one time.

Also would be cool to have starting numbers for you so when you make it, we know what your starting point was.

Sell some action for your WSOP dream in this thread, might be a fun rail. GL this WSOP, keep us updated!

i think i picked up the answers to 2 of these questions

$0

$0ish

1. Exercising
2. Studying (set a goal of 1hr a day to read, watch videos, or hand reviews/calculations)
3. Meditate/chill

I like this post!

I’m glad you at least understand that aside from a couple people no one has tried to attack or troll you here. As for those couple people, the only way to beat the naysayers is for you to kick life's ass.

As far as ideas on how to maintain sobriety and stay healthy. I've got one big one. Set goals. Goals are always the best thing you can give to yourself. Goals give you purpose. They give you a reason to get up in the morning and they give you something to fight for during the day. If your life has purpose it's much easier to avoid the pitfalls life can throw at you.

Obviously your goal is to become a pro poker player. Winning a bracelet can be a goal, but we all know that winning one is a crapshoot. But becoming a pro is attainable. So lay out a plan. Make a weekly schedule that puts you on that path. Tell yourself you’re going to put in x hours a day playing and x hours a day studying. The worst part about poker is that the game doesn’t give you reliable feedback. Get feedback from players you trust. Draw a line in the sand and say NO alcohol in the casino and NO pit games – both will destroy your bankroll, and that takes away from your goal.

You say you like to write too. I’ve never done it myself, but I know of a lot of people who keep journal or diary every day and swear by it. It allows you to sit down and reflect on your day. It allows you to take a more objective look at who you are, what decisions you are making, and if you’re okay with what direction you’re heading in. You can also take some writing classes at the local community college. You’ll be given prompts to write about which will give you a reason to write more and you’ll be guided by constructive feedback from a teacher and your peers.

And of course another less glamorous option is to get a part time job. It will give you some solid, steady income that will help take pressure off your poker. It might even add to your bankroll. If you’re the type of person who needs structure in their life, (I sure as hell am) a part time job will give that to you. Also, a lot of people don’t realize this but working makes you a happier person. I don’t know why, but the science is pretty clear. It also feels really, really, really freakin’ good to be able to support yourself. Nothing has made me prouder of myself than being able to be self-reliant. I’m not exaggerating.

The more I think about it, the more I recommend getting yourself part time job. You obviously don’t have to keep it forever. But until you get your feet on the ground and build the bankroll that’s necessary to succeed at poker, I think you’ll have so much to gain by getting a job.

But of course that’s just my opinion. Only you know what goals will make you happy. But as long as you find a goal, set it, and arrange your life and your acquaintances around reaching that goal you’ll kick life’s ass like you wouldn’t believe. There will be no room in your life for things that bring you down when your life has purpose.

Just caught up with the thread. Best of luck Blazin!

Blazein did you make it through the weekend sober?

GL on your journey !

Admittedly, I did not read through all 458 posts, but got some reports and skimmed through it. OP is trying to turn her life around. She opened herself and her choice up to some criticism by publishing her story here. On the other hand, some of you are taking that as a reason to attack her, her past, and her decision, in a way that is rude and insulting.

This is an unusual thread for LVL. I think we can learn a lot from it and OP needs some support. Maybe we can look back and be part of the reason a troubled person turned her life around. She may even make some friends here along the way.

If you want to criticize her current choices or actions and give advice in a polite way, go ahead. Some of these posts are completely across the line though and are turning into personal insults.

Please refrain from insults, as well as accusations that you cannot back up. I hate banning people and deleting posts. Please keep the discussion civil so that I don't have to do that.

Just caught up with the thread, this thread should be lauded for her sharing her dreams her life and everything in between but between the creeps, trolls and keyboard warriors #standarddayinthelife Im surprised more are not bashing her but Im glad this thread is about her story which has insprired me. Who knows maybe one day Ill be as brave as her and share my story but if I chose to do so on this forum I would never dream of derailing this thread for my own agenda or anything else.

Back to lurking but again this thread is pretty inspirational at least for me. If you are going to come in and spew hatred towards why bother just asking and its rhetorical just FYI

Hi Blazin,

Woman to woman, I wish you all the luck in the world and I really hope you succeed!

Just wanted to offer my 2 cents. I hope it may help a little on your journey.

The reason these guys keep asking about your bankroll is not to badger you or be negative. It's because building and maintaining a healthy bankroll (along with your mental fortitude) should be the single most important thing to any winning player.

A lot if good players never succeed because, despite their skills at the table, they are really bad with money. If they win a few big sessions they spend it all (as if it's a lottery win), or jump into bigger games before they're ready.

You said that you're currently being staked for the games you're playing. I don't know what your deal with your backer is, but it will be very hard to build up your own bankroll AND cover your expenses (even if they aren't too high) as long as you have to split your profits with someone else.

I get the impression that one of your goals you hope to achieve through poker is freedom. To me, freedom means not having to answer to (or owe anyone) anything. As long as you're playing with someone else's money, you may as well just be working a regular job.

Which brings me to my next point--The fastest way to build your bankroll so that you can keep 100% of your own action. There are only 3 options here:

1. Grind smaller stakes online (I'm not sure what the deal is with Nevada sites or if this is even possible). This will probably take the longest amount of time, especially if your goal is to play live cash games or MTTs.

2. Bink a big live tournament. This would of course be pretty fast, but the most luck-based option (i.e., the least likely).

3. Get a part time job. The service industry is huge in Vegas, and I know bartenders and servers can make very high hourly rates working just a few days a week. If you want to keep grinding poker at peak night/weekend hours, find a high-volume breakfast/lunch restaurant where you can work days. If your expenses are low, great. Save as much as you can from the job + poker to add to your bankroll. As soon as it gets big enough to where you have enough but-ins that you feel comfortable, drop your backing arrangement. Keep the job until you have a comfortable cushion and/or your poker hourly is crushing your hourly at work.

Jobs and poker don't have to be an either/or thing. Everyone knows that jobs suck, but they can be a means to an end, and a way to get where you need to be faster. If you hate the job, you can use that as more motivation to work harder at poker so you can quit sooner!

Also, the restaurant industry can be fun and easy. You get cash every night and usually work with some interesting people. It can be a great way to get to know people that aren't involved in poker/gambling. There are a lot of partiers/addicts in the bar/restaurant world too, but a lot of people are just going to school or working on creative things too.

I spent most if my 20's pursuing various gambling ventures, and I always had some other form of income on the side. It definitely helps for peace of mind, especially when you're still building the bankroll
or trying to move up stakes and you suddenly go on a crazy downswing (this will happen, many many times). If you have a steady side income you won't have to worry so much about depleting your bankroll to pay bills or buy groceries.

Please disregard this if you already have some other form of income (although I didn't catch any mention of it in your posts).

Remember, the bankroll is your precious child. Do anything and everything to protect it! And get off that stake as soon as humanly possible. This should be your number one priority.

Good luck at the tables. I can't wait to hear more of your poker adventures, especially at the WSOP!!

Haha I'm a gyp-setter

When I went home I went home to get a break from reality so I wasn't working. My dad bought me a laptop for my birthday and told me he supported me chasing my dream as a poker player and as long as I helped myself he would help me. I did house and yard work for cash, and played daily freerolls on Dover Downs online poker website. Online poker is legal in Delaware, but they did't have WSOP.com yet (maybe now? Not sure..) I posted my results on social media and I was offered a stake on Bovada as a result. I grinded the $3+.30 1k guarantee tournaments every day, but I went busto 3 weeks later after getting drunk and spewing in the $10+$1 and zone poker. Obviously lost the stake and coaching opportunity because I told him what I did.

I stayed in Biloxi for like a week or two, I got back to DE around Sept. 15 if I recall correctly.

The people I was staying with were super dope. They played every event, and at one event 2 of my housemates were HU for a ring. OFC was pretty much what we did every night, they taught me and the 2 other girls how to count the points, so the guys would play for cash and we played for fun mostly lol I learned a lot in that house, I couldn't get enough of the tournament strategy talk every night, and I think taking a lot of the information in and using it when I could while playing on Bovada helped me figure out when and where I need to change gears during a tournament. I prefer tournament to cash, I'm also more comfortable in tournaments than I am in cash games, it's easier for me to focus.

Keep the poker related questions coming!

I did make it through the weekend sober, and as to no be discouraged by the forever sober endeavor I've set a goal to maintain sobriety throughout the series, then to set another goal with the same intention after I've reached my first goal which would be in August. (I have high hopes for this strategy)

As for my weekly schedule, I've started with designating days for cleaning areas of the house, my laundry, and yard work.

Every day I will study, as well as talk with my roommate about anything that might be bothersome to me. He's actually been teaching me how to do normal life stuff, like where I'm supposed to put the fabric softener so it works better,and to close the refrigerator door when I walk away from it lol

I've been writing in my journal a lot more recently, I used to write letters to the Universe everyday which I've begun to do again!

I've had a job since moving to Vegas in March lol I loved it, but hated it at the same time. I only quit because my 2nd week they scheduled me for 2 8hr shifts with only 8 hours in in between to go home and come back. I can't physically handle that because I have nerve damage and I was already in a lot of pain from the first week I worked. I've only been unemployed for like a month, and I was doing alright with money until like a week after.

I've definitely been looking for a job I feel like I could manage to work without jeopardizing my health, and I'll get one if I feel I absolutely need to, but I'd rather go through counseling and see a doctor before I get another job or I'll just quit again when I feel overwhelmed.

All in all I feel like I've been super productive this week. I took some time to try and go over my PF opening and raising ranges as well as PF 3-4b, cbet, and semi-bluff ranges in cash games only to realize I need to work on that because I have reverted back to not having much of a range at all

I'm here for those just like you! Inspiring others is my inspiration Thank you

Thank you!

Thank you for the advice!

Admittedly, I am not the best at managing money and I've been doing my best to work on this but I feel strongly that if I eliminate my Pit and VP gambling expenses then I'll have a lot more cash that stays in my pocket.

I responded to another post about part time employment, and I'm curious if anyone knows of temp agencies for local employment? I feel like that might be a great way for me to maintain an alternative source of income, as well as not overwhelming myself by working.

When I quit my job 03/2013 I started working under the table jobs, and once I got involved with the home games in SFV I was propped or had credit to play so I never really worried about maintaining a BR. Since leaving CA I have had various temp jobs but mostly I have done housework in exchange for shelter (I really like cleaning, it's like meditation for me and I feel accomplished after) and also have cleaned in exchange for cash. Maybe there is a way I could turn that skill into a service? I could possibly even build a business from it? Can't be more far fetched than my pursuit for a bracelet lol

Also, I did not make it to play last night unfortunately because of several reasons, bit instead I took the time to study so all was not lost.

I've also decided that it might be in my best interest to refrain from posting on which days or nights I'll be playing, so instead I will post updates the following day about my sessions when I do play

You are a chameleon and will succeed at life just because you will keep adapting to life let alone poker, just saying.

What WSOP Events are you playing in?

Haven't discussed that yet. I will update when I know what I'll be doing for WSOP.

Good updates A, your week was indeed productive and you're making positive steps in all areas, even if some are small steps - it's all positive self development.

I like the background info about Delaware it explains a lot more about your poker background and experience.

I agree with Kitty that a lot of the bankroll questions and staking questions are to try and help get a sense of where you're at. Some may seem intrusive but every day I'm in a poker room bankroll and staking and other similar topics come up so get use to that part lol

What WSOP Events did you play in 2014 ?

I didn't play any of the events last year. I only played 7 hours total in the cash games ... I played Blackjack more than Poker last summer, and most of the time I was in the pavilion I spent my time watching. I was going to play in the ladies event but the night before I had to go retrieve a friend who was stranded because I was the only sober person he could get a hold of and it was so late by the time I got to sleep I didn't really want to play either.

Last year when I came here for my first WSOP it was also my first time in Vegas and I came here without knowing what to expect. So as a first timer with less than a year of playing poker under my belt, it was much more about the experience for me.

I played and cashed in a WSOPC bounty at The Bike in March, but other than that I've only played daily tournaments and online..

My poker background started in California .. Not quite sure what more I could tell you about it?

With all that in mind do you think it likely that your backer will put you into a few satty's for some of the bracelet events given the considerable buyins or perhaps have you playing some daily deepstacks?

You don't have to, it was just nice to see the story filled in a bit more - that's all