FIFTEEN HOUR CHALLENGE
I am challenging myself to play 15 hours this weekend. I will aim for 3, 5 hour days, most likely broken up into 2 hour sessions.

This is A LOT more poker than I have played in a while, but it's good for me to shake things up a bit.

Here’s my report at the beginning of the challenge. I’m excited to see where I end up!

AFTER DAY 1

AFTER DAY 2

I have 4 hours and 20 minutes remaining to complete my 15 hour goal. I will save that for Sunday afternoon and break that out into two sessions. I really should be playing more tonight, the games on WSOP are pretty good today. But I've put in a lot of hours today and I'm tired. It is NOT easy to put in 5 hours each day, but I'll build up my stamina eventually.

AFTER DAY 3

Filtered to just show the challenge results

I finished the 15 hour challenge and it's given me a lot to think about. I will write more tomorrow because I'm tired and I'm going to wind up my day/weekend. But, here's one hand that still makes me believe that 50NL on WSOP is very much within my ability to beat.

I can't export this hand but I will do my best to write it out:

PF
WSOP 50NL, 9-handed, Effective stacks $50
Hero in SB with KK
UTG makes it $1.50
CO calls
Hero pots (and a little extra) to $7.50
BB calls $7.50 (flat calling 3 bets!!!)
UTG calls
CO calls

FLOP
$30
A55 rainbow
Alarm bells are going off in my head with the BB flat calling 3b pf and UTG still in the hand. The flopped A is deadly for my hand . . .
Hero checks
Checks all around

TURN
$30
A559, two to the flush
I decide to lead because an A would have spoken by now
Hero leads for $13.50
Folds all around

I am just not a good enough poker player to understand what my opponents were playing in that hand. BB flat called 3 bets, UTG raised/call. Given that the flopped was checked, I think all Ace combos continue on the turn, QQ through, maybe TT still continue? Of course 99 continues but I don't think anyone is (should?) be in there with lower than that, right? So what the heck did they have? Is KQ really calling $7.50 pre?

A hand like that gives me hope that the game can be beat. But I will share more of thoughts tomorrow when I have had time to think about all of my hours/plays a little more.

Flop check is fine OOP multiway. I would probably x/f tbh.

I wouldn't assume that no one has an Ace on the turn. I most likely check turn but going for some value might not be that bad if they're awful.

Looks like you're up against a bunch of fishers, so I wouldn't worry too much about ranges.

You're right that those games look good.

Yes, my flop plan was definitely x/f. I was not happy with that board - three other opponents calling $7.50 pf, someone has an Ace right?

And yes, the more I think about it, the more I like the games. Yes, I posted a losing record for 15 hours, but it was just about 4 buy-ins and these spots are 100% fishy.

^^^^

I just noticed that it has been a long time since I posted a graph. I don't know why I didn't post one after my 15 hour challenge, that's rather silly of me. But here, is my latest graph. Yes, it's not a pretty graph but I still feel good about it. Keeping things in perspective, I'm down just a little more than 3 buy-ins and my recent play has been feeling pretty good. So, this graph is only temporary, I will get back into positive territory very soon.

Here's some recent developments:

• I have switched to playing 6-max. It's not an easy transition but it's absolutely necessary if I'm going to make the move to higher stakes on WSOP. Unfortunately, WSOP does not offer FR for anything higher than 50NL. So I need to start preparing now if I am serious about moving up to 100NL and 200NL.
• It's been a fun transition so far, but definitely different. Plus, it's funny how even thought it's still 50NL, there is a completely different pool of players. Some of those players are very good, so it's a step up without having to put more money at stake.
• I have also started to seek out coaching. I can do a lot of work on my own and analyze my hands but it helps to get another opinion on my play. Plus, I know that to move to 6-max I have to adjust my opening ranges and I am going to do that with a coach.

Finally, I remain committed to playing more and putting in the hours. I have been much too set on only playing on the weekends and I need to change that. Even 1 hour every night would make a big difference in my game and I need to start doing that.