ill keep this introduction short and sweet. i will be playing 2500 hours at 1/2 over the next two years. i will be recording my results, random poker thoughts, and possibly some random life thoughts as well (we shall see). i don't live close to a casino, so my schedule is not ideal. i make poker trips once or twice a month and really grind out massive hours while there, sometimes putting in 12-15 hour sessions. again, this is admittedly not ideal, but it does afford me plenty of time off and it seems to work for me.

my next trip will be June 18-21, where i will be expecting to put in 50-60 hours.
ive started posting in hand history threads on the Live, Low Stakes NL forums in an attempt to get warmed up for the grind. i look forward to posting more of my own hand histories during an after my poker trips, as well as any in depth study/analysis/combinatorics work i will be engaging in.

thanks.

I won't be making another casino trip for a few weeks, so I decided this would be the perfect time to re-dedicate to a period of intense study. My main sources will be:

1. The Grinder's Manual (Peter Clarke)
2. 100 Hands (Peter Clarke)
3. Applications (Matt Janda)
4. NLHE FAP (Matt Janda)

5. CLP - Fast Track Poker (Ki Lee)
6. RCP - All videos by Andrew Brokos
7. RCP - A few other random videos on RCP

I've decided not to study each of these sources in its entirety to the exclusion of the others, but instead to organize my study in step-wise fashion and take from each source as the topic I'm on dictates. My hope is to synthesize the material for each topic into a more complete and thorough understanding. I've started with a refresher of the basics. This will not be any new material, but it will prime my mind for the more intense study to come. And it will also get me back into the habit of daily study.

Today's Study (2.75 hrs):

1. Ch.1 Introduction, The Grinder's Manual
2. Introduction, Applications
3. Part One: The Basics, Applications
4. CLP Fast Track Poker - Basic Math, Videos 1, 2, 3, and 4


In addition to the poker, I will also be updating on my fitness progress. Today I lifted (shoulders) for 30 min, followed by 30 min. walking the treadmill at 4mph and 3% incline (2 miles). I also rode the exercise bike in my apartment for a total of 1.5 hours during the day. My diet was pretty healthy at 1710 calories, 70g fat, 23g fiber, 142g carbs, 142g protein. If anyone is interested in details about my measurements, goals, exercises, weights lifted, or specifics of the diet... I'm happy to share.

Today's Study (2.75 hrs):

1. Introduction, NLHE FAP
2. Part One: Key Terms, NLHE FAP
3. Part Two: Advanced Software and Mixed Strategies, NLHE FAP
4. Part Three: Why Bet and Raise, NLHE FAP

almost done with the basics refresher. one chapter left, "You Don't Want Action" (NLHE FAP) before delving in depth into preflop analysis. giddyup!

fitness: i lifted (squats and deadlifts) for 30 min, followed by 2 miles on the treadmill (half jogging at 6mph, half walking at 4mph and 3%). I rode the exercise bike at home for 1.5 hours again today. diet was very similar to yesterday: 1860 calories, 68g fat, 28.5g fiber, 178.5g carbs, 154.5g protein.

correction: yesterday's diet recording was off a bit as i had some food after posting. update: 1820 calories, 68g fat, 28.5g fiber, 172.5g carbs, 152.5g prot.

very happy with the energy level, lack of hunger, and weight loss so far.

Today's Study (1.25 hrs):

1. Part Four: You Don't Want Action, NLHE FAP
2. Listened to Episode of "Thinking Poker Podcast" passively (didn't count this as much time)

a light study day today. all done with the basics refresher. ready to delve into the intensive preflop study tomorrow. im excited to go at this for the next week or so.. however long it takes to get through the material i've pre-determined... but, im really ultra excited to get preflop out of the way so that i can spend the majority of the coming months at learning and improving postflop! yay!

fitness: i lifted (arms) for 30 min, followed by 2 miles on the treadmill (all at 4mph and 3% incline). i rode the exercise bike for 1 hour at home. diet was again similar. 1820 calories, 68g fat, 28.5g fiber, 178.5g carbs, 153.5g protein

the weight loss is amazing. still zero issues with energy or hunger. and no decrease in strength. im happy.

Today's Study (2.25 hrs):

1. Ch. 2: Opening The Pot, The Grinder's Manual

tomorrow i will hopefully wrap up the study of opening theory with the study of a few other sources. and then we will move on to other preflop situations.

fitness: a very light day. no lifting today. no treadmill. only 1 hour on the exercise bike. the diet was also a little lighter than normal: 1640 calories, 71.5g fat, 18g fiber, 121g carbs, 145g protein

Today's Study (2.5 hrs):

1. Open Raising Fundamentals, Red Chip Poker (Adam Jones)
2. CLP - Fast Track, A. Preflop: Introduction (Ki Lee)
3. CLP - Fast Track, A. Preflop: Opening Ranges (Ki Lee)

I've finished the study of opening ranges for now. I will revisit them when I get to the preflop section of Matthew Janda's books in the coming days and weeks. For now, I think I have a very solid grasp of default ranges from various positions, default open sizings for various situations, what to look for in terms of exploitative deviations in both ranges and sizings, etc. And I've spent some time thinking about how to best construct ranges for the 1/2 and 2/5 live games that I primarily play in. Tomorrow we will be moving on to responding to limpers. And then onto defending against 3bets after that.


i started looking at scheduling for the coming weeks and months to plan out my playing hours during that span. hopefully, i will have some solid dates/hours set soon.

fitness: no lifting again today. back to the gym for chest workout tomorrow! cardio was 1hr 45min on the exercise bike at home. i was hungry for the first time in a week today so i upped the calories some. actually stuffed as im typing this. i definitely want to be in a caloric deficit for fat loss purposes, but im going to listen to my body along the way. if it's telling me it needs a re-feed day or a boost in carbs, i will give it. 2000 calories, 63.5g fat, 21.5g fiber, 195g carbs, 154g protein.

GL with the fitness and study goals. Are you still shooting for 100 hrs a month over 2 years?

ty! i expect to likely average about that, but ive realized that its foolish for me to plan details that far in advance. some months will be significantly more, some less.

Today's Study (2.5 hrs):

1. Ch. 3: When Someone Limps, The Grinder's Manual
2. 2. CLP - Fast Track, A. Preflop: Responding to Limpers (Ki Lee)

finished up preflop scenarios for when we are not facing any aggression (either opening the pot, or facing limpers). since we already have our opening strategy down, i think the next logical place to study is how to defend that strategy when someone 3bets us. that will be next.

fitness: lifting was about 35 minutes of chest exercises. i ran/walked 2 miles on the treadmill today. 0.5 miles at 7.5 mph, 0.5 miles at 4mph/3%, 0.5 miles at 8mph, 0.5 miles at 4mph/3%. and i did an additional 1.5 hours on the exercise bike at home. diet was pretty low calories today. will see if i get hungry or weak. so far the strength is still improving and the weight is still decreasing, so im sticking with it for now. 1555 calories, 59.5g fat, 22g fiber, 129g carbs, 141.5g protein.

Today's Study (3.0 hrs):

1. Ch. 6: Calling Opens, The Grinder's Manual
2. CLP - Fast Track, A. Preflop, Episode 4: Responding to Opens

i deviated a bit from the outline today. was supposed to study responding to 3bets, but did calling opens instead. tomorrow, i will continue that line with a study of how to parse my continuing range between 3betting and calling when facing an open.

fitness: i spent about half hour lifting back today. 1 mile on the treadmill at 4mph/3% incline. and another 2 hours on the exercise bike. diet was a bit higher calorie today as i was starving after workout and ate a lot. unfortunately, ive felt super full and bloated for the rest of the day. i also had some fatty fish instead of chicken for lunch today, which i plan to do about once a week for the omega 3's. this boosted the fat content of today's meals higher than normal. perfectly fine. 1960 calories, 96g fat, 26g fiber, 160g carbs, 138.5g protein. i should also note that i ate about 130-135 calories of dark chocolate after recording last night's update. so the diet content in yesterday's post is off by that much.

today is the end of week 1 of recording both study and fitness progress. i look forward to a weekly recap post of each tomorrow morning.

now for some relaxation for the rest of today. NBA on ESPN time!

Week 1 Recap:

POKER:

Study:
17 hours of study. Beginning with a refresher on the basics of poker math and terminology and continuing onto preflop theory and strategy. 48 pages of hand written notes.

FITNESS:

weight:
-7.2 lbs (205.6 to 198.4)

the majority of the weight loss came in the first two days and was likely water flushing. i don't expect this rate to continue. 2lbs per week is my goal rate.

waist:
-1.0" (39.0 to 38.0)

Lifting:
Wed-Shoulders, Thur-Legs, Fri-Arms, Sat/Sun-off, Mon-Chest, Tue-Back

Treadmill:
7 miles at 4mph/3% incline
1 mile at 6mph
0.5 miles at 7.5mph
0.5 miles at 8mph

Exercise Bike:
10hrs 15min

Diet:
1830 calories, 72g fat, 25g fiber, 164g carbs, 149g protein (average)

Today's Study (1.0 hr):

1. first half of Ch. 10: 3-Betting, The Grinder's Manual

fitness: lifted shoulders. up 10lbs from last week on overhead presses! walked on the treadmill for 2 miles at 4mph/3% incline. diet: 1760 calories, 69.5g fat, 30g fiber, 166g carbs, 146g protein

Today's Study (3.0 hrs):

1. finished up Ch. 10: 3-Betting, The Grinder's Manual
2. Started Part 5: Preflop Play, NLHE FAP

a few more sources of study on 3betting tomorrow and then on to the last part of preflop play - responding to 3bets after opening. hopefully less than a week left on preflop before moving onto the exciting stuff with postflop play.

fitness: lifted legs today. went up 20lbs on both squats and deadlifts. this is less impressive of a 1 week jump than it appears because i intentionally started very light last week with an emphasis on proper form. i felt even better about my form today on both exercises. working on pushing hips back before bending knees on deads, and was able to get a little more depth on the squats today, i think. keeping chest up on both. cardio was 1.5 hours on the exercise bike. treadmill 1 mile at 8mph and 1 mile at 4mph. diet: 1660 calories, 63g fat, 28.5g fiber, 150g carbs, 152g protein.

Today's Study (1 hr):

1. CLP - Fast Track Poker, A. Preflop, Episode 5: To 3Bet or Flat

fitness: nothing at all. lazy day. will be back at it tomorrow. diet: 1900 calories, 66.5g fat, 32g fiber, 188.5g carbs, 163.5g protein

Today's Study (3 hrs):

1. Ch. 11: Facing 3-Bets, The Grinder's Manual
2. CLP - Fast Track Poker, A. Preflop, Episode 6: Responding to 3Bets

today, i wrapped up the Crush Live Poker video series that i wanted to study as part of this preflop focus. i have one more chapter left to go in The Grinder's Manual... actually only the part of the chapter on stack depth that pertains to preflop play. after that, Red Chip Poker has a 4 part series on 3betting by Andrew Brokos that i intend to study. and the preflop sections in both of Janda's books.. Applications as well as NLHE FAP. not sure how long that will take me to finish up. but after its done, i will take a day or two to synthesize the material and then will spend some time playing online with an eye on getting good at using the new knowledge at game speed. and then onto postflop study! weeeee!

fitness: i skipped lifting yesterday b/c it was too ****ing cold to go outside. went to the gym and did my arms today. biceps and triceps, ftw! walked 2 miles on treadmill at 4mph/3% incline. also rode exercise bike for 1 hour. diet: 1800 calories, 64g fat, 22g fiber, 139.5g carbs, 178g protein

to-date recap:

i am posting a "to-date" recap today so that i can start a new week today. id rather have my poker/fitness updates run along the traditional Sunday through Saturday week.

POKER:

Study:
25 hours of study. Beginning with a refresher on the basics of poker math and terminology and continuing onto preflop theory and strategy. now up to 74 pages of hand written notes.

FITNESS:

weight/waist: 200.0 lbs/38.0"

this is still over 5lbs lighter than i was to start a week and a half ago, but it represents zero change in over a week since i lost all of that weight in the first 3 days. my fitness level is increasing, both cardiovascular and strength so im not concerned at this point.

Just wrapped up studying all the preflop material from both janda books, Pete’s book, a crush live Poker series, and 3 red chip poker videos (2 of them by Brokos). Took a long time. I didn’t simply read. I studied intensely. Did all the math out myself by hand. Thought about each concept in relation to both theoretically optimal and then again in terms of exploitation for my games.

Certainly not an expert, but have a good solid base for improving. Will spend the rest of the week going back over all of the notes (97 pages of handwritten) and synthesize the material.

Next week will be playing 1-2 tables online for a few hours per day. Trying to remember and train the concepts at game speed. With a review of the session after to reinforce/continue learning.

Week after that is back to the casino. Taking notes on hands at the table for continued analysis of preflop, but also beginning the long study of post flop play from the same sources.

97 pages of notes , very diligent, should give you a big edge on the competition.

whatever happened to this guy?