Donk sets a Tournament goal
09-26-2018
, 07:05 PM
Been playing poker off and on for years...
Until recently, I've been a losing player.
Recreational would be a kind description. Back in the day, Black Friday was a blessing and saved this fish alot of money.
Never thought about poker for many years after. Just figured I was a loser.
Got invited to a friendly local mixed game. I had heard of Omaha and Stud but never played until now. WTH is Hi-Lo?
Took $300 and lost it. Invited back the next week.... another losing session. A third time and I am down $1000 in total.
It was time for a new hobby or serious study.
Set up an account an Poker Stars and played Omaha and Stud Hi-Lo in the free rooms night and day for hours on end. Got the jist of the game and from that point forward (late 2016 throughout 2017) I rarely had a losing session.
In 30 or so outing, I might have had two break even and one loss. Probably banked $7K conservatively last year.
Money just went into the life roll and the ether....
Get to early 2018 and we take a trip to Florida to visit family and play a WSOP circuit event.
It was a Seniors Event. Figured why not eliminate the young guns and 3/4'ers of the field the easy way? Table selection right?
I donked my way into the top 25. Had busted within about two hours and rebought. Broke even but had the time of my life!
In my local game, the NLH guys won out and they eliminated Omaha and Stud and my win rate shrank.
With help of a friend, started to study. Position and donk betting were terms I had heard but knew nothing about. As I study my NLH win rate increases and my BR starts to grow.
Head to Cherokee for a mini vacation with my wife in August. With about $3K, I figure why not take a shot at the Main Event. I get to the booth and start to pucker up a bit. $1700 isn't chump change.
I enter a Friday night Satellite and turn $250 into a seat outlasting 80+ players. Stoked, in the ME, I bluff and steal my way into a decent stack. Double up then my nitty nature cause me to choke on two hands that would have put me around 400K. Table breaks...
I arrive for the last round of the night w/85K in chips. Around 250 left with 100 the bubble. Thinking, I got about 3 orbits to make something happen. Coulda played tighter, but was thinking I could be half wayhome by the time the next day starts and still no better off. Wife was drinking and shopping.
Might have backed into the money, but while mulling the situation I wake up with JJ and call V's raise. River is no help, I shove and he calls while turning over AA and cracks me.
Funny part was, in hinsight, I was nervous but not overwhelmed. The hardcore grinders would cycle in and busted out. Alot of $1M career earning guys.
One of the my Satellite tablemates sat next to me for a few hours. I followed his progress and learned he had won $377K the month before in Vegas in the Main.
I did well enough in SNG's to break even for the weekend.
Those three hands have haunted me for weeks. Also, been on a downswing for a month. Added a new local game. Scared money, new players, and bad play have not helped. Bad week or two of football.
Shut it down and focused on study and improving my game.
I cut the sports betting and the storm has cut into the new and old games.
My BR ebbs and flows thru found money, poker, ebay sales.
Headed to Louisville next week for another shot at the dream.
2018 BR management goal... reach $10K in bankroll via savings, poker, ebay sales. (Currently around $4K).
2018 Tournament goal... cash in an upcoming October Event. Increase or maintain BR for a November Cherokee Shot if family time permits.
2019 Tournament goal... Make it to at least 4 circuit events
2018-19 Cash Games... Beat my regular game and beat the 2nd mixed game when BR reaches $10K. Use proceeds for the occasional Tournament.
Miscellaneous goals... poker education and starting a bullet journal to organize life. Lose 40 pounds, be a great husband, pay off mortgage with a huge tournament score.
Hope this introduction/history wasn't too long and in the spirit of setting goals.
Until recently, I've been a losing player.
Recreational would be a kind description. Back in the day, Black Friday was a blessing and saved this fish alot of money.
Never thought about poker for many years after. Just figured I was a loser.
Got invited to a friendly local mixed game. I had heard of Omaha and Stud but never played until now. WTH is Hi-Lo?
Took $300 and lost it. Invited back the next week.... another losing session. A third time and I am down $1000 in total.
It was time for a new hobby or serious study.
Set up an account an Poker Stars and played Omaha and Stud Hi-Lo in the free rooms night and day for hours on end. Got the jist of the game and from that point forward (late 2016 throughout 2017) I rarely had a losing session.
In 30 or so outing, I might have had two break even and one loss. Probably banked $7K conservatively last year.
Money just went into the life roll and the ether....
Get to early 2018 and we take a trip to Florida to visit family and play a WSOP circuit event.
It was a Seniors Event. Figured why not eliminate the young guns and 3/4'ers of the field the easy way? Table selection right?
I donked my way into the top 25. Had busted within about two hours and rebought. Broke even but had the time of my life!
In my local game, the NLH guys won out and they eliminated Omaha and Stud and my win rate shrank.
With help of a friend, started to study. Position and donk betting were terms I had heard but knew nothing about. As I study my NLH win rate increases and my BR starts to grow.
Head to Cherokee for a mini vacation with my wife in August. With about $3K, I figure why not take a shot at the Main Event. I get to the booth and start to pucker up a bit. $1700 isn't chump change.
I enter a Friday night Satellite and turn $250 into a seat outlasting 80+ players. Stoked, in the ME, I bluff and steal my way into a decent stack. Double up then my nitty nature cause me to choke on two hands that would have put me around 400K. Table breaks...
I arrive for the last round of the night w/85K in chips. Around 250 left with 100 the bubble. Thinking, I got about 3 orbits to make something happen. Coulda played tighter, but was thinking I could be half wayhome by the time the next day starts and still no better off. Wife was drinking and shopping.
Might have backed into the money, but while mulling the situation I wake up with JJ and call V's raise. River is no help, I shove and he calls while turning over AA and cracks me.
Funny part was, in hinsight, I was nervous but not overwhelmed. The hardcore grinders would cycle in and busted out. Alot of $1M career earning guys.
One of the my Satellite tablemates sat next to me for a few hours. I followed his progress and learned he had won $377K the month before in Vegas in the Main.
I did well enough in SNG's to break even for the weekend.
Those three hands have haunted me for weeks. Also, been on a downswing for a month. Added a new local game. Scared money, new players, and bad play have not helped. Bad week or two of football.
Shut it down and focused on study and improving my game.
I cut the sports betting and the storm has cut into the new and old games.
My BR ebbs and flows thru found money, poker, ebay sales.
Headed to Louisville next week for another shot at the dream.
2018 BR management goal... reach $10K in bankroll via savings, poker, ebay sales. (Currently around $4K).
2018 Tournament goal... cash in an upcoming October Event. Increase or maintain BR for a November Cherokee Shot if family time permits.
2019 Tournament goal... Make it to at least 4 circuit events
2018-19 Cash Games... Beat my regular game and beat the 2nd mixed game when BR reaches $10K. Use proceeds for the occasional Tournament.
Miscellaneous goals... poker education and starting a bullet journal to organize life. Lose 40 pounds, be a great husband, pay off mortgage with a huge tournament score.
Hope this introduction/history wasn't too long and in the spirit of setting goals.
09-26-2018
, 07:43 PM
