With the holidays coming and a family I doubt there will be a lot of time to grind 😞 8k seems unlikely at this point but I'm sure he will give it a shot! GL BS!

Just curious on why you don't sit at a tournament until 3rd-4th level.

What's the reasoning/strategy behind?

@battagd1 gd question. The reasoning I late regg’d yesterday was I thought it was more profitable to play in the 1/2 game until I had to sit in the $50T. Tourney paid top 4, 1st $800ish, 2nd $500ish, 3rd $250ish, 4th $150ish; I thought I cd make 4th place money in cash before sitting in the tourney. That was my logic yesterday, but even in bigger buy-in tourneys I still like to sit late (usually around 2nd level). Mostly by virtue of, I want to b in control of my own fate/destiny. It’s totally bizarre thinking, but if I don’t sit when they tell me, then I control my own destiny of cards, and outcome. It’s the whole butterfly effect thing (no pun intended). For instance, I never hit the queen ball on the river last weekend in the Horseshoe Poker Classic main event, w 4 players left to double me up, eliminate a player, and go on to win the trophy; if I didn’t sit on my own terms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s REALLY weird thinking on my part, but I like to have as much control of my fate as possible. That’s pretty much it. U dig? #chaostheory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBqe9WTbU7Y

Today: Arrive at 10:30am, and a game was running through the night. Avg stacks size $450ish. I buy in for $300, and my 3rd hand I check raise flop w trip 9s (929rainbow). Villain calls my raise after he initially checked. He had me worried, so I checked turn (K) for pot control, and he bet $40 into a pot of $70ish. Its heads up, and I call w my J kicker. The river is a J, I check, he bets $50, and I shove it all, he calls. 9sfull>2sfull. I got off to a great start, and after first couple hrs I was up $400ish. Then the last couple of hrs, nothing was going my way, and started losing my winnings. I sensed the downhill vibe, and left +$142 up after 4hrs. 7 winnings days in a row!

Fasting Update: I’m so hungry! Drawing my closer to God.

Chest Pain Update 5 out of 10. Getting better

Too much stuff going on tomo, so I will b taking the day off. I’ll post pic updates tomo, and end of the month report Saturday.

Happy Thanksigiving y’all.

Thanks for the explanation. I wonder whether u r losing chips but letting some weak players get out before u even enter tournament.

U certainly know what u r doing so keep it up!

Do ant of the 2/5 regulars give u a hard time for not playing 2/5? I assume that being a regular they know u

For those that haven't played at this particular casino, I don't think most realize how impressive Rays results are considering hours played and times of day he's playing.

The best $1/$2 action at this casino is at night and on the weekends. Ray would be slaying this challenge if he played at night and Saturdays. In my experience at this boat is the weekday crowd for the most part is your "older in age regulars" who are content grinding for a small payday.

Keep it going Ray.

^ +1.

I used to play at this casino a lot and know first hand that night times are bananas. Tons of loose gamblers frequent the nights providing some sick action. Day time is slow and old, but I understand with kids it hard to be away at nights.
I asked a couple dealers last time I was there about Ray'z game to see what they had to say. Just about all the dealers in that room would put Rayz at the top of the list as best player and nicest player. I doubt if he knows, but I played with him a few times, and would have to agree with the dealers.
Also wanted to add that a couple of months ago I saw Rayz take a horrendous beat on a huge pot. To this day, I still remembered what he said right after he got 2 outed on the river. he said, "Moments like these makes me feel alive". He owned it, and moved to the next hand like it didn't even happen. Not one gripe.
Battagd1 i dont think 2/5 never runs here. 5/10 no limit runs every Friday.

Thanks for the December sweat! This is awesome! Get it Rayz.

@battagd1 its been years since 2/5 ran regularly. The Friday 5/10nl players have been supportive of my goal, and understand that I won't play anything higher than 1/2nl (1/3) until next year. I do get a little needle time to time from a couple of my gd buddies that play in that game.

@JRH @Callygal wow thanks...checks r in the mail.

PICTURE DATA UPDATES

CASH GAMES





TOURNAMENTS





OVERALL (cash and tourney combined)




5 weeks to go.

Good stuff. If you can work 70hrs/wk in December you have a great shot for $40,000.
What's the next tournament on your schedule? I saw Southern Horseshoe is having a Ho Ho Ho Holdem Tournament around Christmas time. $5,000 added to the main event winner. You playing in it?
Gl B.S.

Invested $800 today, and cashed out $752. Lost -$48 on the day on in 4hrs 11mins. I was trying to get even or up before I had to meet the fam at 6pm church. Cdn’t quite get there, and showed up 5 mins late. The most up on the sesh was +$10, and most down in the sesh -$190.

It was gd to c @twspoker1 tonight playing sm 1/2nlhe and 1/2plo. I played w tswpoker once before, and my takeaway was: humble dude, competitive dude, and solid dude. Now I’m adding classy dude to the top of the list. I was thinking about playing at his table, but I was after some of the deep stacks on table 11…Surprisingly though the deep stack table was pretty nitty. I'm sure I cd hv had a more productive sesh on a different table. It was a reminder that deep stack tables don’t necessarily mean a better game…I should hv changed.
Congrats TSwpoker1 on the winning session!!

End of month Report:

Overall: +$31,996. W cash/tourneys combined averaging close 30hrs/wk

Cash: +$32,778 on 1197hrs. Averaging 25ish hrs/wk. Averaging $27.37/hr. Very satisfied w my cash sessions data.

Tournaments: -$782 in the red. Not sure on next tournament , but yes @seamsclean I will b playing the Ho Ho Holdem main. Still trying to master the tourney game, and hoping I ship a big one soon.

Real Talk: With one month to go it’s going to take a big score, and a great cash month. Smthing like a bad beat table share and/or a nice tourney score is needed to accomplish this $40K challenge. Current odds 7:1.

Back to the felt Monday. Mondays at HSI offers a nice promotion. All tables r splashed w the # of tables X $50 = $200+splash every 3 hrs. Chances are I will straddle splash hands, and shove if all limpers. Got to do what it takes to make this $40K. Swinging for fences!! Please don’t call!!

I can’t say it enough, thanks for the continued support.

There will be no called 3rd strikes in the last month of the $40k…if I go down, I will go down swinging.

I must play with you before your challenge ends, but I do suggest you play 1-2 PLO at cincy in your last month.

Last month of the challenge, good luck!

Regardless of the outcome you have been remarkable!

I think that you have to play some weekends to make it happen.

Could you go in late on Saturdays and play all night when the drunks are giving away cash for the holiday

@liveaction just 1/2nl. Any gd tournies in Cincy this month ($300+ buyns)?
@moaurlawn thanks man. Look forward to playing another tourney w u. I wish I had ur tourney stats this year!
@battagd1 planning on playing as much as I can this last month. Appreciate the support. Gl w your grind.

Anyone- Any gd tourneys out there? I want to make at run at this challenge. I still hv $4200 in the reserve. (Per $40k guidelines-not to exceed -$5k in tourneys losses). Tourney recommendations are welcomed and appreciated!

Also wd appreciate any insight/feedback to the following hypotheitcal. -
Mondays r the "Splash Pot Promo Hand" at HSI. It will be at least a $200+ splash on all tables every 3 hrs. My hypothetical is...What wd be the weakest hand u ship w preflop? Given: straddled $5 and EVERYONE LIMPS. Given: 2 $100 stacks, 2 $200 stacks, 4 $300 stacks in play, and Hero $300 stack. Given: pot size $200splash + $40limpers = $240 -$5rake -$1bbjp = $234 pot. Straddle option. Weakest hand shove???
Im thinking 77^, A9o+ might b my shove range in this particular hypothetical.
I guess I will let u know the results tomo. For 40k sake...Bet the farm, I'm shoving 77^, A9o+ if everyone limps my straddle during "SPLASH hand".

Interested to hear yo thoughts on the topic: weakest hand u shove straddle w after all limpers on "Splash Promo"? Thanks

First sat of every month in cincy has a 400$ buy in with 50k gtd

Cincinnati has the $400 buy in tournament on Dec. 7th. I think you start with 10k in chips and 30 min blind levels? Something like that. They are giving away seats for it right now through Dec. 6th, 6 times a day.

Columbus is having a $400 tournament the 13-15 with 20k in chips and 40 min levels and have two flights--one on Friday and one on Saturday. The Columbus tourney is also 50k guaranteed.

Thanks @lap and @moa. Cincy on the 7th sounds like a plan. Hollywd Columbus sounds gd, but HSI ho ho main same date. Instead of travel to Columbus, I'll opt to play the Ho Ho main event here on Dec 15th.

How did you do your first couple years as a professional? If you could go back and plug leaks you now know of but didn't then, what do you think they would be?

Hammond just had a $100,000 guarantee a couple days ago.

hero's $300 stack any pocket pair, 910ss+, Axo+ I would even ship a lot wider if I had $100 in front of me. I been running bad, so I wouldn't take my advice. I hope the situation comes up today!

Good Luck.

My advice is not to get too crazy with this. I hate to see someone slow playing a good hand and trap you.

Certainly be more aggressive preflop but I wouldn't necessarily ship it preflop. Win your hand by outplaying your opponents as u have done all year.

Thanks for the kind words Ray, it was really good to see you on Saturday and to not have worry about you taking all my money.

What you've done this year in nothing short of impressive, and you make a great representative for the players. You're kind, respectful, level-headed and genuinely a very nice guy. Hopefully you are helping to break the stereotype of your prototypical casino grinder.

I believe you have enough fold equity to profitably shove Q7s+ . That would be the worst hand I would shove with. I dont believe shoving is the most profitable play though. I'll explain in a bit.

Ok so given the $234 dead money in the pot we have to consider a few scenarios.

Let's say that the average stack in $200. So on average you are risking $200 to win $434 ($234 + $200). So it cost you $200 to win $434. You need to win 46% of the time just to break even. So as long as your hand has 46% equity versus your opponent you have the right price to call. This is assuming they call every time.

Let's say your opponent only calls half of the time that you shove. So 50% of the time you risk $200 and win $234 and 50% of the time you risk $200 and win $434. When we include both of these scenarios you risk a net of $200 to win $668. Now you need to win 30% of the time just to break even!!

I think we need to ask some questions:

1. What are the chances my opponents will limp/call an allin?
2. What are the chances my opponents will limp/fold an allin?
3. What are the chances my opponents with raise/call an allin?
4. What are the chances my opponents with raise/fold an allin?

Based upon these decisions your range may tighten or widen, but statistically speaking I would shove (raise instead of allin - see below) Q7s+ all day, and hope to hit or hold against worse.

Additionally, I DO NOT believe allin is the correct or necessary bet. Based upon the 4 questions posed above I think you can realistically raise $110 or so and expect the same results, with a much lower risk and much higher ROI. If they are folding to an allin they are also probably folding to $110 or so and the same if they call. Also if they flat and smash shove the flop you can at least save some money.

Just my 2 cents.

GL today Rayz.

I like your assessment. Shove isn't always the answer but your explanation sounds a lot smarter

@bobbycoconuts gd question.
First couple of years and beyond: 2003 won around 15k (played half of the year- mostly 6/12LHE w full kill and 2/5nlhe by end of the year). At the end of 2003 I left teaching to pursue poker full time. 2004 won 50Kish playing 2/5nlhe everyday + $5kish tournaments + $23kish cutting grass (all rough estimates, no data to support). I still had my Lawn and Landscape Co in 2004 which provided a little stability, but it was small scale/small pay. 2004 was my all time best year as far as annual earnings = $78Kish including (lawn service). Cutting grass was so easy, I had 2 48”commercial mowers and was averaging $1/min on the job. I wd cut, trim, and clean up a $50 lawn, and b done in 50mins. I smtimes wondered then why I even went to college. If I wd hv started my lawn business when I graduated high school instead of college; then I cd hv been the BMOC in the Southern Indiana Lawn game. Anyways, In 2005 I sold my small Lawn n Landscape Co (equipment and accounts) for $10K to invest in my poker abilities even more. So now it’s 2005 and I’m “All In” w poker full time! I quit teaching after 6yrs, and sold my Lawn Business after 8yrs all for this poker thing. I was taking a leap of faith in myself, but already showed a proven track record. 2005 was much of the same as 04, poker was still booming, and I played 2/5 everyday. I wasn’t even that great back then, but I was still making gd money logging 35hrs/wk. Made prob $50Kish in 2005. Following the year, I took all my $ out of my IRAs (took a slight penalty), and decided I wanted to invest it instead on myself/poker abilities. I was getting a far better rate of return at poker than I was w my struggling IRA, so it made for an easy decision. 2006-2010 I was playing both live and online 2/5nlhe up to as high as 25/50nlhe online (just a couple of shots), also got started in buying/selling houses. 2011-2012 dropped down to 1/2nlhe -5/10nlhe as my most my bankroll was tied up in the housing game (now doing rentals instead of flipping = more time for poker). 2013 playing 1/2nlhe, and collecting rent money the 1st of the month. 2014 ???

My leaks early on- too predictable (never gd), too tight, too scared. Went to showdown w hands I shd b betting. Wasnt gd at betting/raising for value. Didn’t pay enough attention to detail. I put myself in bad spots too much. Bet sizing mistakes.

Poker is becoming more of a solved game, and it's nothing like the free money 2003-2006. To b successful now, u cant have any leaks!