11/11 -

Be MORE conscious of barreling range questions/ramifications.
Do NOT make moves w/o a plan.

why do you say 'most likely' when refering to your connection to bovada. this is something you can determine by doing anything else internet related while playing. When the DC occurs does your twitch.tv or pandora stream keep working or not? can you run speedtest/load webpages? if you can its an issue at bovadas servers but im already guessing this is not the issue.

i dont quite understand how you have eliminated your adapter/isp/router as potential culprits. Wifi in 2015 is just as good as hardwire for maintaining steady connections. the main reason you see people prefer hardwire is wrt to time sensitive work/gaming where ping/latency are important. when connecting to poker sites there is no difference between 70 ping and 110 ping as long as the connection doesnt drop out is all that matters.

im going to just guess right now your connections issues are going to be 100% between your isp and your modem/router. what kind of isp do you use?(1 isp is not enough even if you have google fiber you still need to get adsl or 4g hotspot backup) is your modem/router wifi lockdown with wpa p2sk pw or you using the vulnerable basic WEP pw or worse yet is it open? do you share with roomates/family or all to yourself?

i could go on and on, just basic point is with all we need to deal with as poker players, internet issues should never be one, much less one significant enough you factor into your earnings

I say probably b/c sometimes my IE works and I kicked off anyway. Once in a while I'll see my WIFI signal w/ an exclamation and that'll take maybe 30-60 seconds to reconnect. When I'm reconnected, I'm kicked off anyway. My modem is outdated but my router is not. I have ATT fastest residential speeds and the router is directly below me in the office. There's about 7 devices in total and 2 PC's in the office and I have my ASUS and MacBook Pro up here. I have some NetGear software that shows me all the connections to the network. I'm pretty sure wpa, it's def. not open anymore. I see the exclamation maybe, once or twice every week... it's rare, but it happens. What's way more frequent is when I kicked off and my connection is still good and running properly.

The site I play on doesn't allow you to sit back at the tables if you get DC'ed, even if it's for 15 seconds. Since I've been using WIFI, I usually don't even have a chance to hit the "sit in" button. Normally, you get a minute or two to reconnect to the site, then you can sit back in. I don't get that chance anymore for some reason, so I'd like to try to keep the D/C's to a minimum w/ hardwiring. I appreciate your input. Today, I had 0 D/C's in 6.5 hrs. My last session I had 2 in 3-4 hrs.

1,640 H 6.8 HR's 4 TABLES NET +$3.20

What a brutal sess, better luck next time. Overall, I think I played reasonable well. Definitely think I misplayed a few hands but nothing too spewy. Will post some questionable hands later. These were my biggest losses for today.





Be more conscious of barreling range questions. B-
Do not make moves w/o a plan. B-

gl pal

also gl on toning down the weed inhales it's tough, but it's all psychological. I have a wife to bust my balls or I'd be ripping it too frequently. each day without it though, you begin to think less and less about it, and at the end of every day without it, I feel satisfied. so, it's still an issue for me, but for me, I'm simply dedicating to my wife and daughters. they don't need a husband or father that is dependent on marijuana. it kind of hurts to say it, as yes, it is fun, but there are more important things in life, and when you are getting high constantly, you lose sight of those things, maybe not entirely, but even if a little bit, that's a negativ. so, quitting will help your motivation levels and help your game, I guarantee it. Phil Ivey, Sauce, Ike, the ballers.......not one of them do it, let's emulate them.

keep it up, keep working, stay humble, stay hungry

I appreciate that p2. I was actually clean for 7-8 months straight at one time b/c I had to take the ASVAB, so I know it gets easier... but that was in my twenties. I could see why you've decided to quit. I'd do the same in your shoes. I remember that feeling of being very... sober, for months. Back then, I was just learning the game. I personally know some pros that do smoke, but you're right. 99%+ don't smoke.

Plus, the money saved from not getting more could be used to take shots, at higher stakes... not drinks. I switched from Newports to a ProVari Mini 3 years ago. I plan to give up e-cigs in a year or two as well. I quit drinking soda and have had very little fast food for over a year now, at least compared to the last 10 years of my life. I rarely drink alcohol, a few times a year max. I'm just gradually cutting out all the B.S. now. It's about time I started taking care of myself, which in turn improves my life and my game.

Thanks again for the kind words, I really do appreciate it.

Here's some hands I could've played differently:

V was donking frequently.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P2_242913UA (UTG): 97.4 BB (VPIP: 21.84, PFR: 13.79, 3Bet Preflop: 7.69, Hands: 88)
P3_430952PQ (MP): 62 BB (VPIP: 24.47, PFR: 13.83, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 95)
P4_661845NB (CO): 96.8 BB (VPIP: 16.07, PFR: 8.93, 3Bet Preflop: 5.00, Hands: 57)
Hero (BTN): 219.8 BB
P6_601842UI (SB): 100.9 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
P1_394894TG (BB): 51.4 BB (VPIP: 35.42, PFR: 4.17, 3Bet Preflop: 4.76, Hands: 49)

P6_601842UI posts SB 0.5 BB, P1_394894TG posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 T

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, P1_394894TG calls 2 BB

Flop: (6.5 BB, 2 players) 7 6 5
P1_394894TG bets 6 BB, Hero raises to 24.5 BB, P1_394894TG raises to 48.4 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 23.9 BB

Turn: (103.3 BB, 2 players) 2

River: (103.3 BB, 2 players) A



V was new to the table.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P2_554473IV (SB): 16.2 BB (VPIP: 24.00, PFR: 8.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 25)
P3_165375IP (BB): 56.8 BB (VPIP: 42.50, PFR: 2.50, 3Bet Preflop: 5.26, Hands: 40)
P4_405394YP (UTG): 65.7 BB (VPIP: 63.16, PFR: 36.84, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 21)
Hero (CO): 123.4 BB
P6_675502SB (BTN): 97.5 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)

P2_554473IV posts SB 0.5 BB, P3_165375IP posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J J

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, P6_675502SB raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 6 BB

Flop: (19.5 BB, 2 players) Q Q 3
Hero checks, P6_675502SB bets 19.5 BB, Hero calls 19.5 BB

Turn: (58.5 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero checks, P6_675502SB checks

River: (58.5 BB, 2 players) 2
Hero bets 16 BB, P6_675502SB raises to 69 BB and is all-in, fold




V had 3bet me 3/10 attempts or so.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P1_279027UR (SB): 111.4 BB (VPIP: 39.19, PFR: 31.08, 3Bet Preflop: 8.33, Hands: 75)
P2_781101WG (BB): 118.4 BB (VPIP: 22.73, PFR: 13.64, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
P3_106579CS (UTG): 117.5 BB (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 20.83, 3Bet Preflop: 9.52, Hands: 48)
Hero (MP): 148.8 BB
P5_809720KG (CO): 71.8 BB (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 100.00, Hands: 6)
P6_707311KE (BTN): 131.4 BB (VPIP: 72.22, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 33.33, Hands: 19)

P1_279027UR posts SB 0.5 BB, P2_781101WG posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 4 A

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, P6_707311KE raises to 10.5 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 26 BB, P6_707311KE raises to 131.4 BB and is all-in, fold



V was pretty tight and I didn't see him betting the turn and river w/ anything less than AJ+. Could've bet the flop myself... and lose more overall.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P2_414654CD (BB): 93 BB (VPIP: 8.33, PFR: 8.33, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 12)
P3_113475GS (UTG): 86.3 BB (VPIP: 27.27, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
P4_303156QQ (MP): 108.6 BB (VPIP: 55.88, PFR: 32.35, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 34)
Hero (CO): 218.5 BB
P6_101620WH (BTN): 99 BB (VPIP: 29.41, PFR: 5.88, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 17)
P1_922388YO (SB): 121.5 BB (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 19)

P1_922388YO posts SB 0.5 BB, P2_414654CD posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q Q

fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, P6_101620WH calls 3 BB, fold, P2_414654CD raises to 13.5 BB, Hero calls 10.5 BB, fold

Flop: (30.5 BB, 2 players) A A Q
P2_414654CD checks, Hero checks

Turn: (30.5 BB, 2 players) 7
P2_414654CD bets 16 BB, Hero calls 16 BB

River: (62.5 BB, 2 players) 7
P2_414654CD bets 23 BB, fold



Hope to get some feedback from you guys.

The JJ hand bothers me, I'm pretty much OK w/ the rest. Normally I'd check the river and re-evaluate once V bets, based on his sizing but I thought he'd only raise me here w/ Qx combos and just call w/ overpairs and fold the rest of his range that was worse than mine. I thought bet/folding was better than check-calling since I wouldn't be able to set my own price. I also thought calling his CB, he would shut down completely unless he had me beat.

Stretch - I go through a lot of different stretching exercises, but only for about 30 seconds each. It's less than 5 minutes in total but it's enough to get me to be ready to do some physical activity.

E-mails/Twitter - Checking forum responses and Twitter feeds from poker training sites is my first priority after a cup of coffee, w/ a cup of blueberries and a banana to hold me over until breakfast.

Awesome thread, man. It's great that you're committed to bettering yourself but even more impressive that you've put a lot of thought and planning into how you'll actually accomplish your goals.

It sounds like you've consumed a lot of poker training material over the past few months. Are you up for sharing what books or videos have been the most beneficial?

Also, thanks for sharing the medium articles and the meditation apps. I go through periods where I'm into mediating then life gets crazy and I stop (probably when I need it the most). I'm going to check out those apps and see if helps get me into a routine.

Thank you sir, it's taken me almost 3 months to set a routine, then adjust it so it's optimal for my personality. I've constantly been tinkering w/ it, rearranging certain tasks at first but now there's very few changes.

Don't mind sharing the resources at all, just tell me what kind of games you play and what you want to improve on the most and I'll compile a list for you.

Meditation is an integral part of my routine now. I used to hate it at first, but that was before I found these app. Since then, it's been a breeze. To accomplish any task, you need the right tools first. After that, it becomes so much easier. That is the reason why it's always at the top of my list. I see the effects it has on me after a few months and will not skip it for this reason. I used to skip it at times too, but that was when I had no routine set up. I actually look forward to it now and sometimes more than once a day. Once you realize that meditation helps EVEN MORE when life gets crazy, you won't ever skip it. I suggest you set up the reminder for the apps to alert you at the designated time... at least until you're conscious that you're missing a crucial step to your day. I'll admit I have missed a day or two of meditating in the past few months, but that's ONLY on days when I don't plan to grind and when I feel like I'm not too stressed, even then... it's very rare.

I normally wake up whenever I feel like it... usually around 9AM. I am SO NOT a morning person. I usually go to bed at 2am daily. I've been looking for some motivation to get me up at 7AM or earlier but it's been tough for me. I think this will help a lot.

https://medium.com/@chriswinfield/th...g-a9a44f165edb

Definitely DL the free PDF after a few clicks. Who knew Winston's routine was so gangsta?

Being organized...

https://medium.com/keep-learning-kee...s-c5136f0014b8

How to Be Confident and Reduce Stress in 2 Minutes Per Day...

https://medium.com/the-blog-of-james...y-f4e927438129

I think I just found another routine to add to my stretching exercises.

"Here’s a pattern that I have been playing with recently…

Each morning, I’ll wake up and stand in a high power pose for two minutes. While I’m doing that, I’ll close my eyes, breathe in deeply for a count of 3, hold for 1, and then breathe out fully for a count of 5. In this way, I combine breathing exercises, meditation, and power poses for a relaxing and confidence–boosting start to the day.

Plus, it only takes 120 seconds. It’s kind of hard to say you don’t have time for it".

Some other helpful tools:

http://www.chriswinfield.com/daily-r...ebook-download

11/13 -

Be MORE conscious of barreling range questions/ramifications.
Do NOT make moves w/o a plan.

I totally agree with the importance of planning, having the right tools and adjusting. Apps with reminders are great, especially for the little things that seem important during downtime but easily go by the wayside once life gets going.

Regarding poker resources, I'm a casual, low stakes MTT player with a decent full-time job. I enjoy poker immensely but it's time for me to treat as more than just an expensive hobby. I'm actually planning on just studying instead of playing for the next few months too. Come the new year, I would like to give live and online cash a serious try and keep playing some MTTs for the excitement. I really want/need to improve my post-flop play, hand reading and adopt a more aggressive style in general so you're first post in this thread really resonated with me.

Also, best of luck with waking up earlier. I'm a morning person myself and love having some time for my mind to wake up before I jump into the day. In the words of Marlo Stanfield, "Early bird get that worm."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeBb1mgzLQI

905 H 3.75 Hrs. 4 TABLES NET +$36.91

D/C'ed again RIGHT when I was starting to get it going. Stacks were 220, 310, 290, 120 BB's. This is so tilting I'm not playing anymore, this time my top right table that had 220 BB's was running the whole time while the other 3 got kicked off. Then 2 minutes later, I get kicked off the last table. Now, I KNOW my ISP is not to blame when 1 table is running fine while the others aren't. FFS, I know I'm supposed to grind through this and fire up 4 more tables but I feel like I won't play my best now after another good spot was taken from me. My CAT5 cable can't come soon enough.




Be more conscious of barreling range questions. B+
Do not make moves w/o a plan. A-

Here's some hands I could've played differently:

Both villains were stations, I expected both to overplay Tx combos and possibly draws as well.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P1_851672XF (CO): 45.8 BB (VPIP: 64.29, PFR: 21.43, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 15)
P3_680573WF (BTN): 109.5 BB (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)
Hero (SB): 100.5 BB
P5_111563EC (BB): 63 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 4)
P6_712208ED (UTG): 158.6 BB (VPIP: 28.57, PFR: 14.29, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, P5_111563EC posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 3 A

fold, P1_851672XF calls 1 BB, fold, Hero raises to 5 BB, P5_111563EC calls 4 BB, P1_851672XF calls 4 BB

Flop: (15 BB, 3 players) T 4 2
Hero bets 6 BB, P5_111563EC calls 6 BB, P1_851672XF raises to 21 BB, Hero raises to 45 BB, P5_111563EC raises to 58 BB and is all-in, P1_851672XF calls 19.8 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 13 BB

Turn: (171.8 BB, 3 players) 3

River: (171.8 BB, 3 players) J



Villain was opening from the LP a majority of the time.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P2_879286LP (UTG): 90.8 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
P3_759680GE (CO): 67.2 BB (VPIP: 40.74, PFR: 3.70, 3Bet Preflop: 5.00, Hands: 27)
P4_710576IQ (BTN): 105.5 BB (VPIP: 57.50, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 40)
Hero (SB): 83.2 BB
P6_553590HQ (BB): 134.3 BB (VPIP: 32.35, PFR: 14.71, 3Bet Preflop: 8.33, Hands: 34)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, P6_553590HQ posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has T T

fold, fold, P4_710576IQ raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 7 BB, fold, P4_710576IQ raises to 22.5 BB, fold



Villain was 50/25 after 8 hands, I 3bet to avoid playing a MW pot w/ the stations behind me.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P2_612481RI (BB): 50 BB
P3_977156QD (UTG): 5.8 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
P4_710576IQ (MP): 73.5 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 8)
Hero (CO): 121.2 BB
P6_553590HQ (BTN): 99 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 50.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)
P1_360866YV (SB): 99 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 13)

P1_360866YV posts SB 0.5 BB, P2_612481RI posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K A

fold, P4_710576IQ raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 7 BB, P6_553590HQ calls 7 BB, fold, fold, P4_710576IQ raises to 20 BB, Hero calls 13 BB, fold

Flop: (48.5 BB, 2 players) 2 4 3
P4_710576IQ bets 26.2 BB, fold



He's not supposed to have it here when the board pairs. I could've folded the river but didn't believe he had Ax. I also didn't believe villain would bet Kx more than twice so that leaves FD's, QT/QJ type hands and PP's. I crush that range. I convinced myself I was still ahead when the turn pairs and paid for it. I usually fold once a nit fires twice on this type of board but the river bet sizing was suspect to me... had he bet like 40-66%, I think I fold here. Good bet size IMO, WP.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P1_600627HX (SB): 108 BB (VPIP: 39.53, PFR: 27.91, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 43)
P3_542664DV (BB): 98.5 BB (VPIP: 6.25, PFR: 6.25, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 17)
Hero (UTG): 281.8 BB
P5_814235EQ (CO): 47.3 BB (VPIP: 22.22, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)
P6_328203PP (BTN): 101.7 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 20)

P1_600627HX posts SB 0.5 BB, P3_542664DV posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J J

Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, fold, P3_542664DV calls 2 BB

Flop: (6.5 BB, 2 players) A K 6
P3_542664DV checks, Hero checks

Turn: (6.5 BB, 2 players) A
P3_542664DV bets 3 BB, Hero calls 3 BB

River: (12.5 BB, 2 players) 9
P3_542664DV bets 9 BB, Hero calls 9 BB



3bet light and triple barreled, he soul read me like Dwan.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

P1_537716YK (BB): 50 BB
P3_680573WF (CO): 113.2 BB (VPIP: 30.00, PFR: 10.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
Hero (BTN): 197.8 BB
P6_712208ED (SB): 157.6 BB (VPIP: 22.22, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)

P6_712208ED posts SB 0.5 BB, P1_537716YK posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A 2

P3_680573WF raises to 2 BB, Hero raises to 5.5 BB, fold, fold, P3_680573WF calls 3.5 BB

Flop: (12.5 BB, 2 players) 7 K T
P3_680573WF checks, Hero bets 6 BB, P3_680573WF calls 6 BB

Turn: (24.5 BB, 2 players) K
P3_680573WF checks, Hero bets 10 BB, P3_680573WF calls 10 BB

River: (44.5 BB, 2 players) J
P3_680573WF checks, Hero bets 18 BB, P3_680573WF calls 18 BB

Sounds like Jonathan Little's Secrets of Tournament Poker V. 1 is right up your alley. It's not a short read, but it's got everything you mentioned covered. I'm reading it for the 3rd time to fully grasp all the concepts. Many of these concepts also apply to cash games as well. I haven't read V. 2 yet but I will in due time. The book is a few years old, but it's definitely still relevant. This book laid down the groundwork for a lot of my fundamentals which clearly has helped me avoid huge swings. You're definitely going to want to read it at least twice, probably more. Jonathan Little's Beating Small Stakes Cash Games is also a good read and also a much quicker read... you may want to start with that one first for cash. You can literally read it in a few hours.

Regarding the earlier wake times, I appreciate it man. I'm going to try again on Monday by going to bed at midnight or sooner on Sunday.

Forgot this hand...

Villain limp-calls my open, bets tiny on the flop, I call w/ overs and tried to rep the A on the turn. I just didn't think villain would bet small on the flop w/ overs so when he bets the river I think I'm good here a good amount. I thought he'd do that w/ middle pairs and stuff, maybe OESD's. Since I discount Ax combos from his range for that reason, I'm thinking I'm good often, plus his bet sizing was too tempting for me to fold to.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 98 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)
UTG: 72.7 BB (VPIP: 19.35, PFR: 16.13, 3Bet Preflop: 10.00, Hands: 31)
MP: 38.4 BB (VPIP: 44.44, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
Hero (CO): 96.2 BB
BTN: 101.8 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)
SB: 218.9 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 26.67, 3Bet Preflop: 25.00, Hands: 15)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J K

fold, MP calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 4.5 BB, BTN calls 4.5 BB, fold, fold, fold

Flop: (11.5 BB, 2 players) 2 5 6
Hero checks, BTN bets 2 BB, Hero calls 2 BB

Turn: (15.5 BB, 2 players) A
Hero bets 7.7 BB, BTN calls 7.7 BB

River: (30.9 BB, 2 players) J
Hero checks, BTN bets 11 BB, Hero calls 11 BB

How to Be More Optimistic...

http://www.webmd.com/balance/feature...aGDybLzTU0Y%3d

Good starting point for improving hand reading.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/78...arcoal-919455/

Why Do Intelligent People Struggle To Succeed?...

https://medium.com/keep-learning-kee...d-7dc43a46a32b