Hello.

I have never before written threads about my life but it seems by expressing your feelings through writing about poker it seems to help your game by increasing your thought process and relieving a bit of stress. I have just recently began playing poker. Finally discovered it at a friend house where they played a quick 5$ sit & go. The game did not interest me at all. I didn't participate I just sat there and watched in boredum. Its not one of those things where a guy sees something and automatically falls in love with the game.

, I have been to the casino several times before but always playing blackjack , blackjack came after quickly loosing 100$at slots . After realizing theres nothing but loosing there I turned to blackjack. Walked out my first night minus 200$ including slots.

The game made me want to go back because I felt I could beat it, and I did . Doubling at right points and hitting/folding with perfection. Walked out with 300$ after only playing with 100$.

Went back and quickly lost that.

After the loss I wanted to fill my desire to continue going to the casino with something else. but what??

Week went by and WSOP 2014 came on . Shortly followed by downloading the app on my phone. Playing, doing some research on how to play. Then landed back in the casino.


So at the casino my first time I played with 100$ . ended up buying in for another 100$ at a 1/2 no limit holdem table . I got knocked out first with pocket queens . lost to two pair A and 2. I was all in . On flop my opponent connected with his 2. Then rivered the A. Left a bad taste in my mouth so I bought in my second 100 looking to make up my lost 100. I ended up with pocket QQ again and got knocked out after going all in to pocket AA. nothing major flopped, turned or rivered. I felt I had it.

I went back the following week and came out up 800 after playing with 100. I was ecstatic as anyone else would be. Played a couple tournaments. first tourney I made it to 9th place out of 24. Second one I got knocked out first couple minutes (played stupid. 50$ buyins)

Now here I am minus 230$ playing online with carbon poker. Now I have lost 230$ over the course of 3 nights. I made several mistakes. Today I lost 100 of that 230$ playing stupid. called when I shouldn't. bet when I shouldn't . Got away with a lot of bluffs and got cocky because of it.

I do not feel as down as I should about loosing that money. I learned so much with that 230 I feel like a better player. When to call, when do fold, reading others based on there checks raises folds. This has me feeling very confident in the game .

I am nowhere close to tilt. Only reason I am not continuing to play for the next week or maybe longer is because my account Is at 0. I have the ability to go into the negative but after careful consideration that would just confirm I have a problem and im stronger then that . To many responsibility's at this point . but happy to have them because otherwise ide have nothing to loose.

my questions:

Have you had that urge to continue playing poker until your broke? have you been able to fight it if so.

When you first started did you start as phil ivey or did you start like me and loose before learning the game more and taking off with your bank roll.

I do not plan on playing professionally no matter how good I get if I do even get good. I would like to make extra income from this hobby if possible. Would love some advice.