Hey guys so I have recently decided to set myself a small challenge from $0-$50 in a month. The reason being for this is I want to challenge myself to become a more stronger, well rounded player and pay my dues to move up stakes. I want to learn all I can about the game and become the best I can be and maybe even one day become a full time grinder.

I understand that this may be nothing more then a distant dream and as such I have set my initial goal small and plan on taking small steps to move towards this goal of providing for myself purely by playing a game that a very much love. but before I get into things how about a little bit of backstory.

So many years ago when I was 18 I worked as a dealer at the casino, this probably being my first proper exposure to poker, I loved watching the game and just being a part of the action even if I was only dealing. Needless to say I was hooked.

I began playing poker games with friends and we would play cash games. I remember constantly winning these games and bringing home extra money and having such an amazing time doing this. I also played in a lot of local pub tournies and would quite often find myself HU.....more then likely this being beginners luck.

It wasn't until one night at work that one of the regs told me about online poker that I became truly hooked and oh how I wish I didn't rush so head fast into it. I then over the next year began losing half of my wages each week playing 5/10 online. I had no reason why I was losing and would constantly blame this on bad beats. I ended up quitting shortly after this as I just could not deal with losing so much of my money.

Fast forward 6 years and I am now a youth worker in residential care and I mainly work night shifts, With some of the down time at night while the kids are sleeping I began watching videos online (mainly Gripsed) and my passion for the game came running back to me.

So once again I downloaded multiple poker websites (888 poker, Full tilt and Full flush) I was happy to see that my 888 account was still bronze which means I am able to play more free rolls.

But this time is different, I now have an understanding of Bankroll management and I am always actively looking at ways to improve. I know I will get better and I hope that all of you can help me on this journey.

I will be starting off with freerolls and once I make $5 I plan at taking a shot at the 2nl tables where I hope to grind my way up to $50 over the month maybe at $25 i might even take a shot at 4nl but I guess I will see what you all think and how I feel my game is improving.

I will update as best I can after each session, I have tonight off so I plan on playing 4-5 free rolls before bed ( fingers crossed) I will also post hands or spots I find myself in where I don't know what to do ( hopefully I can learn from you guys)

Looking for any advice or help I can gain!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and I hope you can follow and guide me on this journey.

Best of luck on the tables

Goals for week one will include
Play minimum of 25 Freerolls
Spend 1 hour a day on studying
Get in the money for at least 4 freerolls

Hero is in the small blind

The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [8c 8s]
Villian UTG +2 calls 30
villian Hijack seat calls 30
Villian 1 from btn calls 30
Villain btn calls 30
Hero calls 15
*** FLOP *** [2d 8h Td] (Total Pot: 150, 5 Players)
Hero bets 90
Villian UTG=2 calls 90
Villian Hijack seat folds
Villian folds
Villian folds
*** TURN *** [2d 8h Td] [5c] (Total Pot: 330, 2 Players)
Hero bets 180
Villian UTG+2 folds

Hero wins the pot (330)

So 3rd hand of the free roll I get dealt this hand, with so many limpers ahead of me I don't really want to raise so I figure I will set mind and just call with the plan to fold to any large raises preflop. On the flop I figure I will lead out with the flush draw down and 5 runners I want to them to pay to see and if I get re-raised by 2 pair or top pair I'm happy to stick my chips in. The turn comes and I guess I just auto piloted here and bet without even thinking why I would bet out, I guess I just figured he was calling with a 10 or a flush draw and I could get some more value out of him however in hindsight maybe I should have played a check call here?

Any advice on how to play in this spot would be very appreciated

If you are playing freerolls, might wanna consider Stars, YachtingPoker, SWCPoker and Ipoker too. Good luck man.

I'd rather play games like 0.1$/360man on Stars or the rakefree 0.1$ steps on 888 rather than play NL2 where you could go busto within 3 hands if you want to (or not) - but it's your money

Thanks for the advice man, I will download those now.

Sounds like a good idea maybe to play some of the cheaper buy in MTT's however I want to get into cash games asap. but yeah thats true with a bankroll like that I could go bust easily if I jump to 2nl quickly.

Deposit $50 and make it $100. It's better. So much energy for those first cents.. Also I think $0--> $50 in a month is almost impossible.

It's totally ok if it's not any relevant money. I mean he could also play Harvest Moon or Sim City 2000 instead. Poker is more $EV

If this doesn't work out I will definitely consider making a deposit but for the mean time I want to try the $0 grind even if it takes me longer then a month that's fine but I want to at least try and get as close as I can and re evaluate my situation from there.

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my thread mate I really value any time people take out to help me along.

So last nights free rolls didn't pan out very well, I got close to the bubble and got it in while I was ahead but the q's and aces just wouldn't hold, oh well what can you do? I have work for a few hours this afternoon and when I get back I will take another shot at it.

Also I will be receiving coaching for 2NL cash games in 2 weeks so hopefully I will be able to upload a video of one of those sessions.

Looking to improve and for any advice you may have.

Thanks guys

Bankroll
$0

I want to stake you for 5$. And I take half of your winnings and all your losings. Tell me what you think. Cheers

so I played a few free rolls and actually came 2nd in 888's $100 iron free roll for a massive boost to the bankroll of $10. I just played TAG poker using position to take down pots in easy position. ran into a few spots where I got it in good and lucky for me my high pockets held through the tournie. I was on the bubble with 3 all ins in front of me and I was holding aces. I tanked as I really just wanted to get in the cash but I called which actually got me into 1st of 677 at that stage from then on in it was easy sailing as short stakes would just shove into me and I would wake up with ace king or pocket 10's +.

Going to begin playing some 2nl on 888 and hopefully something can happen. I will also continue playing the freerolls as hey, money is money

Bankroll day 3
$10

I would be willing to discuss this. Shoot me a PM or add me on skype (Floydrone)

So I played a 1 hour session of 2NL for a profit of $1.12. Playing this and paying attention to my HUD has helped greatly however I have identified some of my leaks which brings me to my question.

Would anyone have a link to raising and calling hand raises for 2NL 9 Max?

Thanks heaps guys.

Going to take a 30 minute break and then I will attempt another hour session before heading to bed.

Bankroll day 3
$11.12

So my last night session went incredibly well I played one last free roll the Bonus $75 freeroll on 888 and came 4th for $3.75 and had a very good run on a 2NL 9 max table full of fish for a further $5.19 It was crazy these guys were just shoving all in almost every hand with absolute garbage and shoving in all in bluffs. I flopped a set with my pocket 8's in a 3 way pot to which both shoved all in one with two pair and the other with top pair. crazy hand but gave me a very nice boost to the bankroll.

I'm going to run another 2nl session today and update as I am going hopefully I continue to run good but hey variance will be bound to kick in at some point.

Bankroll day 4
$19.91

Wow respevt if u make the $50 this month. Especially because u started with $O

You could play 25c 45man on stars now, with 30$ the 90mans and with 40$ the 0.5$ 45man turbos

Hand one
So I know I played this horrible but I'm not quite sure where how I should have played this.

888 Poker - $0.02 NL - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB (BB): 65 BB (VPIP: 30.30, PFR: 12.12, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 34)
BTN (BTN): 46 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
Hero (SB): 143.5 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Dealt to Hero: 6c7c


BTN raises to 2.5 BB, Hero calls 2 BB, fold

Flop (6 BB, 2 players):5c4dqs

Hero checks, BTN bets 4.5 BB, Hero calls 4.5 BB

Turn (15 BB, 2 players): ts

Hero checks, BTN bets 11 BB, Hero calls 11 BB

River (37 BB, 2 players): 8d

Hero checks, BTN bets 28 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 28 BB

BTN shows: Jd9d

(Straight, Queen High)
(Pre 62%, Flop 52%, Turn 77%)

Hero shows: 6c7c

(Straight, Eight High)
(Pre 38%, Flop 48%, Turn 23%)

BTN wins 87.5 BB

Hand two
So i'm pretty sure I just played this straight bad and got lucky. once the flop hit I was wondering if I played it correctly or not.

888 Poker - $0.02 NL - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP+1 (MP+1): 63.5 BB (VPIP: 27.03, PFR: 10.81, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 38)
CO (CO): 98.5 BB (VPIP: 66.67, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)
BTN (BTN): 16 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)
SB (SB): 54 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
BB (BB): 90.5 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
Hero (UTG): 97.5 BB
UTG+1 (UTG+1): 20 BB
MP (MP): 99 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB, UTG+1 posts penalty blind 1 BB

Dealt to Hero: QhTc


Hero raises to 2 BB, UTG+1 calls 1 BB, MP calls 2 BB, MP+1 raises to 6 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 5.5 BB, fold, Hero calls 4 BB, UTG+1 calls 4 BB, MP calls 4 BB

Flop (31 BB, 5 players):QsTh2D

SB checks, Hero bets 31 BB, UTG+1 calls 14 BB and is all-in, fold, MP+1 calls 31 BB, fold

Turn (107 BB, 3 players): 9h

Hero checks, MP+1 bets 26.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 26.5 BB

River (160 BB, 3 players):As


MP+1 shows:KhQd

(One Pair, Queens)
Main Pot [73 BB]: (Pre 71%, Flop 12%, Turn 10%)
Side Pot [87 BB]: (Pre 78%, Flop 14%, Turn 14%)

Hero shows: QhTc

(Two Pair, Queens and Tens)
Main Pot [73 BB]: (Pre 9%, Flop 86%, Turn 86%)
Side Pot [87 BB]: (Pre 22%, Flop 86%, Turn 86%)

UTG+1 shows: TdKc

(One Pair, Tens)
Main Pot [73 BB]: (Pre 20%, Flop 2%, Turn 5%)

Hero wins 68.5 BB

Hero wins 81.5 BB

Bankroll day 4
$21.58

Thanks man, I have some of that run good right now haha

I appreciate that but I really want to learn cash games over MTTS or SNG's. I feel I have somewhat of a decent bankroll for this now even though its quite risky and can't handle variance I feel I can do it.

Had a really good session on one table and thought I would update it was originally heads up and this guy just came at me with an easy double up. 4 days in and I am already halfway there!!! at the end of today I am going to come up with some new goals for my cash game as I won't be playing anymore freerolls for now and will focus on my 2NL cash games. playing one table at the moment but may add a second soon.

First hand
I think I should of gone for a check call on the flop or maybe let him catch up. Thoughts on this?

888 Poker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 100 BB
SB (SB): 60 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Dealt to Hero:
AcAd

SB raises to 2 BB, Hero raises to 5 BB, SB calls 3 BB

Flop (10 BB, 2 players):
3D2CAh
Hero bets 5 BB, fold

Hero wins 9.5 BB

Hand two
Thoughts on this hand? How would you have played it?
Hero (BB): 142.5 BB
SB (SB): 100 BB (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 22)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Dealt to Hero:
AD4D

SB raises to 2.5 BB, Hero calls 1.5 BB

Flop (5 BB, 2 players):
5H6H3S
Hero checks, SB bets 5 BB, Hero calls 5 BB

Turn (15 BB, 2 players):
Tc
Hero checks, SB bets 7.5 BB, Hero calls 7.5 BB

River (30 BB, 2 players):
7c
Hero checks, SB bets 30 BB, Hero raises to 127.5 BB and is all-in, SB calls 55 BB and is all-in

Hero shows:
Ad4d
(Straight, Seven High)
(Pre 57%, Flop 36%, Turn 23%)

SB shows:
6D7D
(Two Pair, Sevens and Sixes)
(Pre 43%, Flop 64%, Turn 77%)

Hero wins 187.5 BB

A couple of other good hands on this table which bought my bankroll up a bit more. I stood up from the table as it was a little over a double up going to have a bio break then sit back down and take advantage of these fish. I may as well keep playing while I am running so good.

Bankroll day 4
$25.09

Had some a pretty standard session ran queens into AK preflop he went all in on the river so I lost a buy in and a bit during the session. It's ok because I am still running hot for today.

Anyway I am off to work, I will see you all tomorrow.

Bankroll end of day 4
$23.22

So pretty good start to my early morning session since I arrived home from work
scored a pretty decent sized pot so removed myself from the table and decided to grab some breakfast and shower before doing an hour or two session before going out with the GF.

So I tanked on this flop for a bit thinking maybe he called with some A9/K9 type of hand maybe even the 10/9 but figured I was ahead of most of his range here.

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Ks Kd
fold, BTN raises to 2 BB, Hero raises to 5.5 BB, BB calls 4.5 BB, BTN calls 3.5 BB

Flop : (16.5 BB, 3 players) Td 9d 9s
Hero bets 12 BB, BB raises to 86.5 BB and is all-in, fold, Hero calls 74.5 BB

Turn : (189.5 BB, 2 players) 7s

River : (189.5 BB, 2 players) 8c

BB shows Ts 5s (Two Pair, Tens and Nines)
(Pre 16%, Flop 12%, Turn 23%)

Hero shows Ks Kd (Two Pair, Kings and Nines)
(Pre 84%, Flop 88%, Turn 77%)

Hero wins 178 BB

Bankroll start of day 5
$27.77

Good job.

good luck, are you playing snap or normal ring games?, i'm in the middle of a 50k challenge at 2nl on 888 snap and have gone from $6 to $70 in 9 days by playing 3 tables for ~1.5 hours a day.

So pretty long time. Since I posted but I made the $50 pretty easily. With some run good

Currently playing heads up sit and goes and have run the roll up to $71.

Will start a new challenge thread in the near future.