"Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure, nor this thing nor that, but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing"

This will be an accounting of where I am coming from and the trek to where I am going, I am certain random musings and life occurrences will be included. I don’t have many worldly goals and in truth, my goals will not offer the most discernible metrics to assess how I am doing (I will try to develop some along the way. Check that… play better poker is my first goal). In life I am simply seeking more freedom and experiences than I currently know. I guess that the best way to state my goal, is that I am going to try and be the best poker player that I can be (which I will chart by the amount of money that I accumulate, or lose and then rebound) and create more freedom to pursue my other areas of interests.

A little about me, I am 27 (28 soon) and living in Oklahoma with my parents. I have a Masters Degree in Education Administration. I have been working as the Director of Admissions for a Private Liberal Arts College for the past 2.5 years. The drudgery of my job is what has led me to the precipice of this journey. Additionally, I don’t recognize the same merits in higher education as I once did.

My intentions are to play 5 nights a week. There are two casinos with meh traffic within an hour of my home that I intend to have serve as home base. I will also be taking week longs trips, once a month, to grind at Winstar Casino in Thackerville, which is about 3 hours from where I live. I am going to attempt to put in 35 hours a week. I plan on taking trips to visit friends and play locale specific poker in LA, Vegas, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Colorado, St. Louis, and perhaps a few others. I have a friend that is a traveling salesman of medical units that goes to conventions and fairs in many of the locations from above, and others, that I plan on traveling with to midgate travel costs and benefit companionship needs.

I have savings of around $24k and plan to devote it accordingly:
Bankroll: $10K
Living Expenses: $12K (Should get me through one year w/ travel included in this section.)
Fall back: $2K (what I will rely on if I crash and burn and need to get back to 9 to 5 work)

My goal is to grow my bankroll to $25k by the end of one year’s time. I will move portions of my winnings as such: 80% back to the bankroll, 20% into a life roll which will be pretty fluid (possibly entertainment and such). If I have an overall profit of $21.5K for the year, I will hit the $25k bankroll mark. If I am unable to grow my bankroll to $25k in a one year, I will continue towards a $25k bankroll as that is my first bench mark, and the point at which I will look to turn to 2/5 NL. I will potentially take shots down the road before hitting $25k, but I anticipate this being a bit farther down the road. One thing that I want to focus attention on, is putting in volume and becoming very fundamentally sound.

The above leaves me with around $2k for fluid cash purposes for incidentals. My living expenses include ~$150/month for student loans, ~$150/month health insurance, ~$150/month on alcohol (I will be looking to taper this aspect). I can’t get precise at this point on travel expenses, as I will more than likely travel on a whim and play as I feel the urge. Gas will cost me ~$100/week (outside of my extended trips), $75 for casino travel and $25 misc., so $400/month.

Overall I feel that I am adequately rolled for a run of at least one year with even abysmal run of the cards, barring any catastrophic life happenings. I feel very little pressure as I have fallback money (mentioned above), my college education, and a few years of work experience along with management experience that I can utilize.

I plan to commence this journey fully in October. I am on a two week sabbatical as my employer searches for applicants. While on this sabbatical, and leading into my jumping into this endeavor, I will be playing and posting about my action. I will have to return to work for a time to in late September through mid October to vet my replacement and train them.

Come along for the ride, will you…. (and please provide critiques to things that I may seem to be doing wrong/poorly. I know that the amount of quality members in this community is immense.)

1. What is your poker background?

2. Why do you live with your parents?

3. Why don't you pay for any of your own food, insurance, phone or rent (since you didn't include any of these in your expenses) even though you've had a full time job for years and you've managed to save $24,000 for this gambling endeavor?

4. What do your parents think of this grand plan of yours?

5. Why isn't your number one goal "stop freeloading off my parents"?

Hey Kitty,

1. I have played a mix of live an online poker dating back to 2008. My buddy started a full tilt account at that time and I have been captivated ever since. After I completed my graduate degree I took 9 months off and started a journey similar to this one. I only put in ~250 hours over that time, but I have a different focus with this challenge than I did in 2008. During my 9-month run my profit was $2,312 (I am going to exclude a calculation of hourly due to the small sample size).

2. I have lived outside of my parent's home off and on from 18 to 25. My parent's truly enjoy my company and like that I live at home, so I placate that feeling. Since I am going to be doing a good deal of traveling it doesn't make since for me to look for a place of my own at the moment given the details above.

3. For the most part I do pay for my own food and insurance, and the details aren't quite clear for me to include what I will be out of pocket for these. I tried to just make a blanket budget for living expenses in my allowances. I was only explicit with what I felt confident I knew an accurate cost for in my OP. My sister pays my phone bill and I take care of er dog that she had to leave with me due to moving into an apartment two years ago.

4. My parents fully support everything that I do. I have proven my worth academically, athletically, and in the workplace and they think that is great. However, they have seen me drag ass in from work after 3 straight months of 12+ hour days for nearly three years and hate to see their son's spirit get destroyed on a daily basis in a lifestyle that is in no way rewarding (Maybe some self aggrandizing here, but I think it is close.)

5. In the technical sense, I am "freeloading" but as I stated above, my parent's love having me at home and I will do things around the house to contribute. I do the yard work/landscaping, drive them on trips to the doctor, cook and clean, etc... As well, I buy their meals and food quite often. Like I said above, with my plans to travel around and be on the move, it doesn't feel pertinent to commit to buying/renting a place of my own at the moment.

It's cool that you have such a good relationship with your parents. I just think that your estimate of 1k/month for living expenses is way too low, considering all the traveling you're planning on doing.

Also remember to factor in that without a job you'll have to buy your own health insurance, probably another few hundred per month or so.

As a former academic and college instructor, I share your disillusionment with the whole institution of higher education--it's one of those things that just drains your soul if you don't have a passion for it.

Good luck, I'll be following your thread!

I agree with you on the living expenses, the biggest thing in my favor as far as this is concerned is my lack of monthly rent needing to be paid. I think that after a month or two some adjustments will have to be made to this area.

I certainly lucked out with the parents that I have.

As for higher ed, I was going to delve into this much more in my op and ended up deleting most of it since I think that I might personally be jaded by it and only have a biased perspective.

Thanks for the well wishes, don't hesitate to chime in with advice along the way.

hey Zombie...would like to hear your thoughts on higher ed and what made you disillusioned with it....I believe college is rather overrated, it makes no sense for students to come out $50-100k in debt after 4 years and have to dig out of a big hole.

Not the way to start life...please share your views

I think you hit on my biggest point of contention, the financial implications. Essentially you have these self serving administrations ad reagent boards in place at universities bankrolling their personal interests. I think that there are certain levels of corruption in any institution once it reaches a certain level of stature, regardless of the original intent of the institution.

So, you get these kids that have very little insight to the nuances of finance and as a mandate (or enticement) they must take out large sums of money in student loans because tuition rates are this arbitrarily set, high amount. The practice is very predatory considering the future that is peddled as being possible with a college education to many students that will never sniff graduation because they don't have the aptitude for academics. Even those that graduate are not necessary qualified for the work that they are now "credentialed" to do. Or the graduate is now working in a field that they have no passion for, and this makes society even more divisive.

Essentially what I am seeing, is that kids are looking for a young adult summer camp experience. Sex and drugs are implicit and largely more important than personal growth and enlightenment (although a certain level of both may be attained to an extent through moderate to occasional binge substance use). Not to condone substance abuse, though I personally abuse substances from time to time and think some of this is good for individuals.

The old boy's club mentality is also very much in place and propagates some of the poorer qualities of our society. Much of college is learning to "play ball," rather than question why things are what they are. Although, one can learn to question matters with the appropriate or coincidental arrangement of curriculum, I believe that the same can be attained without the college experience and from a much more feasible financial approach.

Basically, the best interest of society are not the purpose of institutions of higher learning (I.e. there are not many colleges turning potential students away, telling them that are not right for the institution. The ones that can afford to do such, produce even more lifeless swindlers and crooks).

In my opinion, the solution is a much more affordable college experience opportunity for everyone, and not necessarily free higher education, but maybe free higher education.

Yeah, I'm not in the USA but in Canada, similar problems here. Although our average tuition is about 1/2 or 1/3 a major US college. About $6000-8000 a year for an undergrad. Which is a good chunk but not soul crushing.

I just think the media and society have marketed a university degree so well, that it's like the be-all. Yet real financial acumen isn't taught.

these schools are private businesses too, with profit the bottom line. honestly most don't care what happens to alumni. problems finding a job? tough sh*t.

most students are better off doing a "gap year" after high school. which is popular in Europe, Australia. take a off, travel, work at a bar or hostel...

My plan is to go play this evening and kick things off with this challenge. I haven't set at a table to play since sometime in February, so I will probably be taking it slow to get back in a rhythm at the table.

I plan on playing 4-6 hours, depending on how I feel, and will post HH's for advice/suggestions afterword's.

The main area that I am looking to improve is my thought process. I want to be very transparent with what I am thinking throughout hands, so that better players can help me get pointed in the right direction. One of my biggest leaks is my recall of hands. In the past, I have had trouble remembering what goes on throughout and after my sessions. I will be working very hard to improve my in hand, and in session, focus for posting and thinking improvement.

That's cool, coincidentally I went to college and played baseball with several Canadians over the years.

I am a very strong advocate of the "gap year" philosophy.

Last night I played a 5 hour session and was in for $500 and out for $382. So, -$118 on the evening. Pretty uneventful for the first hour of play with the exception of a pot where I 3 bet a fairly tight UTG raiser pre-flop, was called, and flopped KxKxQx. I believe that I had about $80 behind after my $24 3bet and shipped into the flop and got called. Opponent did not show, but I believe that he more than likely held AA or AK, not many other hands make much sense to me against this opponent.

The big spot that I played in about an hour after the hand above, I am need some help with. The hand went like this:

1/2 NL
I had ~$193 in my stack, the two opponents both had me covered.
Hero: 97 on the button

Utg limps, CO raises to $6, hero calls $6, sb raises to $11, all others call.
Pot: $44
Flop: 68A

So, the UTG limper is fit or fold, the CO is OMC, and the SB is pretty loose/passive, trends towards the calling station player type.

SB bets out $5, utg calls, CO raises to $50, hero shoves for $182. Sb, meanwhile is counting out chips and almost beat my shove into the pot, shoves himself for ~$250, utg olds, and OMC snap calls.

Turn: A
River: T



The way that I look at it, I am pretty sure that my flush draws and straight draws are both pretty clean. So, oddly enough it was more reassuring knowing that the other two were really strong and that I wasn't drawing dead. Also, I felt that I may be able to push one of them off an over pair with my play and I could reap some real profits. I am not opposed to flipping in spots like this, especially give the pt odds that I am getting/going to be getting, coupled with the fact that I am folding out some hands. Although, it is pretty uncommon in my experience for a player to fold a hand at 1/2 when they put $50 in the pot on the flop.

My next question is, can anyone point me in the direction of a poker stove or an equivalent. I did some searching and the only ones that I was able to track down, would not open on my computer. Has anyone else had trouble with this? Probably just a compatibility issue with my laptop?

I spent the rest of my session trying to climb out a bit and did an okay job. I didn't push many more close spots too much, but I did not play timid. I am really not afraid to there and fight over pots. Over the next 3 hours or so, I had AK in some form or fashion at least 6 times, maybe a couple more. 3 times I raised pre, cbet, and took it down on the flop. One hand I got to the river with the paired K, value bet and folded out my opponent.

Overall, I realized, or further solidified my knowledge, that 1/2 players are pretty bad. Not playing for an extended period has not put me very far behind, and I though to myself on the drive home; if I had to stake any player that I contended with this evening, would I choose anyone other than myself, and the answer was no. That is not to say that my game is rock solid or anywhere near... just better than the majority of the 1/2 player pool (in my stomping grounds at least).

I think the moral of last nights story for me is, I noticed that other players were making mistakes, and that many times, I was able to identify the mistakes that were being made.

Never mind on this part, I found cardplayer.com. Here is the link if anyone is as noob as I seem to be with some on my questions.

In for: $200
Out for: $277
Bankroll: $$9959

The session last night lasted 4.5 hours. I had plans to play longer but I had to jack around in the casino for nearly an hour before I got seated. I was about to lose it at one point, as when I signed up on the waiting list I was the second name on the list. However, when I looked a couple of other times my name was jumping around on the list, but no new players were being seated. Turns out they were working on starting a new table altogether.

Invariably, every time I am on the verge of losing my cool about something, the details emerge and everything adds up. From my perspective, I think this shows that when we are egocentric, we act irrationally, as for me personally.

Pretty uneventful session last night. My stack was never below 175 and never above 310. I am not sure that I have ever played a session quite like it actually, just very middling.

One spot that I am unsure of arose about 3 hours into the session. The game is six handed, two limpers to hero otb with KT who raises to $12. SB calls $12, limpers fold.

Hero's image is pretty solid, talkative, aggressive post-flop with usually psb's. Opponent in the sb is pretty splashy, overvalues hands and have seen him ship 75bb otr as a bluff.

Eff stacks ~$190, opponent covers.
Pot: $28
Flop: Q59

Sb checks, hero bets $30.

The reason I bet so much was to continue the theme of my post-flop betting, and I like that there are a lot of good turn cards for me. Also, against this opponents range here, I think that I can fold out some pocket pairs, 9's, 5's, and A high's that have me beat. I should probably have bet a little less on the flop?

Pot: $88
Turn: K

Sb checks, and hero bets $50. So, now some straight draws have come in and I am not certain exactly where I am at, but I think that I am good. The dynamic of sb's play told me that he probably doesn't call me on the flop with a straight draw. I have opponent ranged more to QTo and Q8s+, no better than KQ though as I believe that sb would have 3bet pre with better, and some flush draws. My bet of $50 is designed to make opponent spazz or make a bad call with the Q, and to protect myself from a bluff otr. I think that with a bet of $50 ott, I am going to take complete control of the pot and not get messed with too much otr.



As an aside, each day off from work has been better than the last. I am a bit of an old man at heart and really enjoy my solitude in the morning/afternoons sitting and studying while enjoying several cups of coffee. If I could change my screen name I would, to the more apt, YMC (Young Man Coffee). Not having to be in an office dealing with asinine problems has been immensely +EV on my psyche.

For those out there that have a commute to the casino to play, do you find valet parking to be + or - EV? I think from a safety standpoint it could be beneficial, but that may just be from me living in methhead infested waters. Also, having 1K or more on my person tends to get me paranoid. This question is probably a bit more germane to those that play outside of Vegas, maybe not.

gl op

Thank you kind sir.

Ended up playing a very short session last night. Hell, I am not sure last night would even constitute a session at 1.5 hours. Anyway, it's one long poker game anyway, right?

I did play at a new casino last night, Grand Casino for any of those familiar with Oklahoma Poker. Part of the reason for my short session was the 1.5 hour wait to be seated. Does anyone else out there routinely have 1+ hour waits to be seated at the poker table?

Grand Casino has a nice property and I really like the buy-in structure for 1/2 at min. of $100 and max of $500. I haven't really seen a buyin allowance like this in other card rooms. I have heard tale of games being wild on the weekends. If last night was any indication, I may make the trek back for a weekend game.

Most of my action occurred in the first few hands. Second hand I am dealt was KJo utg and I raised to 12. There were 5 callers and a J high flop. Sb bet out $20 and I raised to $50. There was a flush draw out there that made me a little weary that someone might semi-bluff shove otf, but I ended up taking down the pot as all others folded to my raise. I don't really like my raise pf, I think that utg here I should just fold as I could have gotten into a much trickier spot than I did.

Session Totals:
In for: $200
Out for:$282
Bankroll: $10,041

For the places Im assuming you are playing at, you should be fine without valet but to each his own. A middle ground between vallet/non vallet is taking a couple minutes to walk around the casino while doubling back a few times as a precaution to make sure no shady characters are following you.

Glad to hear that your parents are supporting you and that relationship is on good base.

I do recommend few pointer that I found helpful. (bit different situation)

Work out what is your plan with bank roll management. I would recommend splitting a small slice towards long term,moderate profit, low risk investments after a good month. (== safety net)

Do invest time in sports. Physical fitness IMHO dose help you with mental strains of poker + good to have friends.

GL to you Zombie, i can relate to your idea of the office environment taking your soul from you. There are many mornings i wake up at 5am to get on the train to NYC, and ask myself am i really happy, or is there more i can be getting out of life. Anyway in a sense you are living your dream, and the dreams of many others, including myself...so enjoy every minute of it, the ups and even the downs, and run good brother!

This is excellent advice!!!

This is probably true, these methheads are just unpredictable. I am usually able to get up close to the casino doors, so it usually isn't a huge problem. The problem that I occasionally run into is the mile walk to my car at 2 to 3 a.m., that's usually when I start to think "damn, wish I would have valeted this thing."

That is good advice, I am going to be on the lookout for some nice investments. I had been looking to go this route for awhile and have had cash set aside for investments in a safe box. I just haven't turned up anything that I can't pass up on right now.

Coincidentally, my undergrad is in exercise science - Kinesiology, and used to be very into fitness. I have been revolting against exercise for the past few years following my baseball days, as we were basically a cross country/cross fit team that played baseball. I agree, fitness and regular exercise are just as good for the mind as it is for the body.

I had way to many mornings doing just this my brother. I decided that I rather be broke and barely getting by than spend anymore time in the office.
I am glad that I can provide some insight on the alternative to doing the day in day out grind of the office life. Hopefully I won't have to turn to working street corners, that may be worse than office work.

Good point they are unpredictable. I had a similar experience one night when required to park in an ancillary parking lot due to a big event. Nights like that where you have to park so far away probably make valet the +EV choice.

I did not play last evening like I planned on. I spent a couple of days with a friend of mine that lives in Stillwater, OK. Not really any poker around Stillwater, so I was working on the unwinding aspect of being away from the job.

If any 2+2er's root for a Big 12 team, or a team that plays Oklahoma State, I highly encourage you to visit the town. Stillwater has a really cool college town feel, good food, craft breweries, bars, clubs etc.

I will either be getting back on the poker grind tonight or Monday night. I do fully realize that I must be playing weekends without a doubt. Once I transition into this poker journey more fully, I am going to skew my play schedule to Thursday-Sunday with 10 hour stints. I am going to look at something like, every 2 hours take a 5 minute break, and after the 6 hour mark a ~20 minute dinner break.

If anyone out there has a play schedule that they have found optimal when playing in area's that don't have the most ideal traffic, I would be thankful to see any suggestions.

I have never posted a picture on 2+2 and wanted to give it a shot itt. I plan on posting some pics itt and thought that I had better get handle on doing such.



Picture is of a stack I built up about 3 years ago, at the casino I used to play at, that has now shut down their card room.