WARNING LONG ASS READ BUT A GOOD ONE SORRY LOL

I feel it’s pretty entertaining but If you don’t care about how I got to this point please skip to the last 5 paragraphs and see what I’m needing to know.

What’s up gents I have been a lurker for about a year and a half, but decided I really needed to make this thread..

So you probably don’t care but a little background on me. I have played golf at a high level since the age of 12 (currently 23). My plan my whole life was to play professionally on the PGA tour. I travelled all over the southeast and competed in national level tournaments as a kid and in high school.we won the Georgia state tournament my junior year, one of the guys on that team is now playing right below the pga tour. My Dad played professionally for about 10 years on a much smaller level than the PGA tour but had a sponsor who gave him an American Express card to charge all expenses and tournament entry fees on and a free brand new BMW to drive at the exact same age I am now. He travelled all over the country and competed in tournaments so he knew what it took to make it to that next level. Well I decided to turn professional right out of high school and figured I’ll go to school only if I have to. We were that confident I would make a living playing golf. I set the course record at 16 from the very back tees at a course in Georgia that still stands today (62 -10). I told him “dad if I can just pay my bills even at a smaller level hitting a golf ball then I will have fulfilled my life’s goal.” Sure I wanted to be rich and on the PGA tour, but doing something you love for a job is what life’s all about and I would be happy.

So fast forward to me having only 3 professional tourneys under my belt.. I had only “cashed” in one of them for a couple hundred bucks profit. But was starting to hit my stride and play some great golf. So one day I’m in the Fitting center trying out some new driver shafts and just remember taking a rip at one and it felt like someone stabbed me In my spine with an ice pick on my lower back. I instantly doubled over in pain and I knew something was wrong. I went to one of the very best chiropractors in Tampa bay that is the Tampa Bay rays official chiropractor ( I live in Clearwater FL). I did this because my whole future is going to be in this persons hands. Well he took X-rays and it turned out my lowest vertebrae on the right side was literally bent outwards ever so slightly and that’s what was causing the pain. He told me the torque I was putting on my back with my swing speed was tearing my back to shreds (have a 120 mph swing speed hitting 300 yd drives since I was 17). I had never had any trouble until I turned professional and had to put In some serious hours. Well just like that it looked like my career was over before it started. He slowly but surely got me to where I could take full rips with a driver again and all looked like things were going up.

However in the back of my mind every time I went and hit balls or played I was thinking about my back. What if it gives out on me it feels tight all the time. It doesn’t hurt but will ache a little and it is so worrysome while you’re out there trying to focus on the course and shot at hand.

Then one day while I’m moving I get a call that my mother had passed away in her sleep from heart failure. Out of nowhere. I was already teetering on what I’m going to do with my golf career and that just ruined me. I don’t remember the 4 months maybe even the 8 months after she passed away. I was in such a funk that cannot be explained. We were very close even though she still lived in Georgia. When I went back to play golf I just didn’t have it mentally or physically. I knew that ship had sailed. Such a sinking feeling.

So 3 weeks later in December of 2016 I’m at my house and my roommates friend is talking about going to the casino which I loved to do when I had the money too I’m like alright cool let’s go. So I’m wandering around and see this hallway people are walking down and out of pure curiousity I go down it and find the poker room. I see all these tables with people sitting playing poker and had no idea what I was looking at. I thought they were playing against the house as far as I know. That’s how little I knew about it. My birthday was the day before so I had a lot of extra cash on me at the time I said the hell with it I’ll buy in for 100 at the lowest no limit table 1/2. One of the first hands I played I made a straight and got it all in with a set for like a 300 dollar pot. I walked out an hour and a half later with about 375 dollars in profit. I was hooked instantly.

Next day I’m on YouTube and I come across this thumbnail pic with Doyle sittIng in front of like 200k in cash and I’m like wtf is this old man and why is he playing a card game with all that money. Obviously had no idea who he was or how he got the money. Over the next week I probably watched 20 hours of Doyle playing cash games and read his book all in the same week. I was extremely intrigued and was learning everything I can about No limit Holden. I had messed around and played for pennies a few times as a kind but generally didn’t know poker from baccarat haha.

So I started researching the best books and watching everything I could find on NL strategies. I came across Andrew Neemes Vlog on YouTube and that was where I started training myself. Stupid I know but I had to start somewhere and with no advice it was what I thought was best. I started taking 100 bucks to the hard rock sometimes 85 but I would always try and short stack it. Certainly not GTO but I had no idea about variance and bankroll management or anything like that. Well I’ve always been a lucky person I know That. I won like 1500 bucks over about 20 hours the first month I played 1/2 cash games. Went broke quick by buying in the fulll amount and skill and variance got the best of me haha. After that I would go broke and be taking 100 dollars that I couldn’t lose to the casino. And just losing them. This went on for like 2 months when one day my dad asked me to deposit some cash for him and on the way to the bank a lightbulb went off. “Hmmmm lemme just take 100 and go buy in and win some money I really need it.” Long story short I lost 1k dollars that day after playing for about 15 hours chasing my lossses. and had picked up aces 7 times and lost with them 5 times.. Not an exaggeration. Variance is a *****. At the time I knew nothing about Variance and should have never taken the shot to begIn with. I had to tell my dad what happened and he was more than upset. I couldn’t mention the word poker around him for probably close to a year after that. He thought it was basically like going to a slot machine. He knew nothing about it at all so I can’t blame him all he knew was that I lost 1k dollars of his money.
I didnt play near as much for the next 4-5 months but would still study and keep up with the game watching tourneys and live at the bike streams.

Fast forward to summer of 2017 and I’m playing as many tourneys on America’s card room as I can afford to while taking a shot in live cash games every now and then. But this whole time I’m training myself watching videos reading strat. And following the game studying as much as I can. My best friend who I started sharing my love of poker with had gotten into the game. So in Fall of 2017 He gets with this Asian girl who’s parents are veeeeery wealthy. She likes to go to the casino. I think you know where this is going. She starts staking us in the cash games and not asking for any return or even make up. She was thinking she is staking my friend but obviously he is helping me out as well. During this time I really learned how to play live cash and was also putting that money into online MTTs. I really got some experience he moved In with me and we started playing full time. Our lives were poker. Well one day he decides to go nuts and basically spends the whole bankroll at a 2/5 table and a baccarat table over 3 days. About 16 thousand dollars just down the drain. Next thing you know I am moving back to Georgia where most of my family was, broke to take a job selling cars. I had done this for a short stint right out of highshool so knew I was decent at it and could make good money. I had no choice. I hated it. But was making about 4500 bucks a month and not even breaking a sweat. The hours were grueling and you have no life outside the dealership that’s the problem.

The whole time I’m working I’m playing online poker nonstop. Even at the dealership I’m playing BetOnline on my phone lol. I had access to my own bankroll and no one could tell me what to do with it. Plus I was armed with so much more understanding of the game. Well the swings online are absolutely nuts and betonline may or may not have rigged hand algorithms but that’s another story lol. After running very deep and cashing a good amount in a big tournament I decided you know what I just need a break from poker I have been studying and playing for 2 and a half years straight and I can’t even play seriously there’s no casino anywhere near me I have to play on these shady ass websites. Screw it. I withdrew it all And I didn’t play a single hand for about two months. I focused on work and saving my money.

About 2 months ago The manager that really knew how to run the dealership left and the place went to ****. People stopped coming in to buy. I knew it was time to move on. I go back and move in with my uncle and worry about what to do with my little nest egg of money. 2 weeks ago I’m sitting at my grandmothers house and playing some online very small stakes for ****s and giggles. (Made like 100$ deposit on ignition). My dad calls me and we’re talking he tells me he’s been going to the poker room out of boredom and playing 2/4 limit. (He is retired at 58 he did very well for himself..Not bragging because he was the kid who had to pick 2 used shoes that matched out of a bargain bin. People would make fun of his clothes and **** because they were so poor. So he had this inner drive to be successful and I’m very proud of him for that. It’s provided a great life for him.) anyway in this phone conversation he ask if I want to go to Vegas. Super random. I’m like.... uh ya. So I drive down here to Clearwater and plan on staying for a week or so and maybe we’ll go to Vegas maybe not but I will get to spend some quality time with my pops regardless. He starts talking about poker and ask if I want him to stake me a buy in and go play at the hard rock. Obviously the dude abides.

He goes and sits at the 2/4 limit so he can learn how to play more before he jumps to no limit if at all. My dad couldn’t handle the swings and losing aspect so I don’t think he ever will play it. He is legit pissed off and ready to leave after losing 50 dollars hahahah. Anyway We do this same ordeal about 4 times and I won on average about 200$ over about a 3 hr session every time. He said to me I honestly am shocked to see my money back and I considered it gone. He did not think it was possible to see an ROI.

Tonight were standing outside the poker room before going in and he says you know I’d like to see you make a living in this poker thing I believe you know what you’re doing.

The thing is he was going to fork up 4500 dollars to send me to PGA tour Qualifying school. You play about 20 rounds of golf and out of god knows how many people 125 people make it. Talk about a shot. I told him I want to use that money and another 5k as a poker bankroll and try and grind 1/2. He told me to lay out a game plan and how I will use the money and we will get it done.. This is my chance. If I’m ever going to do something with this game the time is now. I know I am good enough to beat the live games at the hard rock. .The players are incredibly bad and I hardly end up at a table with a good reg I recognize. If they are I sniff it out quick we stay out each other’s way and pick on the fish. Or I’ve gotten so much better with table selection so I’ll just transfer tables all together because there’s literally 13 1/2 tables going at night most of the time if not more. I’ve read on here a lot of people saying a 20-25 am hr win rate.

What do you guys suggest I do and do you think 4500 is enough of a roll to get started grinding 1/2?

Even though I usually buy in @ 100BB i told him that a super safe roll would be 30k.. (max BI is 300$ at 1/2 so 100x Buyins.) however I know we are going to have to compromise.It took me an hour to write this and if you read all of it I really appreciate it I hope you enjoyed it. I am welcoming all advice on how to go about this and really appreciate you guys input. GJ


Feel free to follow me on Instagram or twitter and let me know you did, I’ll follow you guys back. Always love having someone to talk poker with.

IG: g_jonesi Twitter: DoUseeThisCoat0

I will be updating the thread as I progress. GL to everyone.

Yeah $4500 should be enough for 1/2 live with $200 max buyins, provided you're a decent winner at the games and you don't take money out of your bankroll for life expenses.

Good luck!

4500 is enough of a roll for 1/2. If you go go on a 15 BI downswing at 1/2, you really shouldn't be doing this.

30k I'd expect to be playing 2/5 and shot taking at 5/10 at worst.

If you're going to try to take this seriously, I'd post some hands and get some feedback from people.

Awesome I figured it would be but wanted to make sure I got the confirmation. Thank you

Yeah I’ve never even went on more than a 3-4 Buy in downswing tbh. I will post the memorable hands from my session last night when I get a chance.

Welcome, OP. The "my journey" threads belong in Poker Goals and Challenges, so I moved it there.

GL!

Few hands from my session tonight +150$ over 2 1/2 hours

Forgive me as I don’t know the exact format you guys type these hands in I will do my best.

First hand I played. 1/2 NL Hardrock Seminole Tampa Fl

Hero (100bb): make it 8 with 10 2 off early position.
(Lol I know.) the guy to my right raised like 3 pots in a row took em down and was bitching about how boring the action was I figured I’d get my table image going. I love the Doyle special though especially when I first sit down.

BB CALLS

FLOP: 9 10 x rainbow

Hero bets 12

B.B. calls

Turn is 2 (thought gin if he has overpair) obviously no history with this player no idea his playing style.

Hero bets 25

B.B. shoves remaining 75

Pretty much a snap

River 10h

Flip my winner over and he shows POCKET 9s yikes.

Scoop that one






By this time for whatever reason the action had exploded one of the biggest action players in our cardroon had sat down and announced exactly what I just said haha.

Folds to hero in cut off A9 off makes it 12 (very loose image at this point they called whatever I raise)

B.B. CALLS

Ax7s9s

Hero makes it 15

B.B. CALLS

turn is 4x

Hero bets 25 I really don’t put him on an ace thinking flush draw or middling pair.

B.B. calls

River is 2h

B.B. LEADS out for 65

Made 0 sense put him on bricked draw or a set really nothing in between given his range.

Thought about it for about 45 sec and call he says nice call and mucks.




This hand I really couldn’t even sleep tonight I played it so terribly.

Kid sitting to my left is super nit and I even joked about how he couldn’t have convinced me he was bluffing in a hand earlier by betting more because I know he doesn’t bluff he agreed.

Folds to HERO in CO make it 10 w j8ss I stole this kids button every time literally. He makes it 20 I look at him laugh call and say aces huh. His reaction tells me immediately I could be 100%right about a big pair.

Flop is 9h10cX

Hero check

Villain makes it 20 Hero calls


Turn is Jc

Hero checks

Villain checks

RIVER is blank.

I lead out for 25 completely forgetting what I said to myself preflight about him having a big pair.

He calls tables Queens.


Very last hand I played


UTG +1 straddle

MP CALLS

Folds to HERO in the button who makes it 20 w 8d8h

Both straddler and MP call

Flop: 73xhhh

Checks to Hero makes it 25

Both players fold I take it down.

Will add more hands as I remember them.

Have bought a subscription to a bankroll and session tracking software so will obviously be much more attentive to tracking my hands. Thanks for your input guys.

Alright thank you