Hey guys,

I have been on here a while and have always wanted to set myself a tough poker goal. I have played since early 2004 in the early days, had some wins made some money, but never really moved up the food chain, cashing out money for life or tilting it off. I play a mix of deepstack NL10-50 and MTT's. I have had some major scores in the past, I shipped a $40 turbo on stars for $14k and final tables the same tourney the next week for $5k I played some high stakes HU and ran my roll to $30k, I then proceeded to get tilted and drop a whole heap of this coin like a chump, so I cashed out $15k and invested it.

So I am back now to grind while I finish my degree ~2 years to go and I would love for poker to boost my income now and in the future, as I will be able to play full time during the school holidays once graduated and employed. I am currently studying to be a Primary School teacher, I live with my partner and she supports my grinding as much as I think you can hope for someone to support poker who doesn't play and understand really. When I am not grinding, I like to be at the beach (attempting to surf) or going for a swim, doing yoga, studying, playing beach volleyball or watching/reviewing movies. So might throw in some movie reviews or a link to my facebook page I could use the love.

This is a new beginning for me, I am going to start cashing cheques and breaking necks, taking stacks and filling racks, clicking mouses and shipping houses...... You get the picture, I'm making moves.

This is my first move, create this thread and post my goals and stick to them.

My current bankroll as of this second is $1262.21 and $500 cash
My current VPPs are 29,944.45

I am gunning for supernova and would ideally like to make 200k Vpps to get the free $13k, it is going to take some work, but with my flexible uni schedule and slim job commitments at the moment I think I can be playing 20k+ hands a week.

I would also like to play some live poker, my local casino has a soft 5/5 NL game, it is the smallest game on offer and over the weekend it has 5-6 tables stacked with drunks. So I would like to be playing 1-2 week, this is hard as it is time away from my partner and expensive given I have 1 BI.

I also like to play some Sunday/Saturday Mtt's so I will be playing one night of those per week, which is tough as it means getting up at 1am and playing through until 8am if you go deep.

I would also like to learn Omaha and some other games as I think in the future Omaha may become more popular than NL.

In terms of my life goals, I would like to do more movie blogging, work on doing some art (drawing and prints), take some art courses, learn spanish and stay fit and get stretchy.

1. Reach supernova
2. Play 20k+ hands a week/80k per month
3. Play live at least once a fortnight
4. Play weekend MTTs once a fortnight
5. Play 3 session of Omaha a week
6. Post 2 hands to 2+2 per day playing
7. Work on movie blog.
8. Work on drawing/prints
9. Gym and Yoga 4 times per week
10. Do a spanish course, use duolingo 3 times a week (30mins)
11. End of year Bankroll target of 20k

Well thats the aim, it's tough but I think I can make it happen.

I'll post a daily/weekly graph here and discuss interesting hands, and let anyone know if I run deep in an MTT. I am also happy to have people join me to discuss deep stack strategy so pm me if that interests you. Might throw in some movie reviews and the odd pun, I am a sucker for pun-ishment. If that's not your bag, then this might not be the place for you.

Alright, well I will fire up day 1.

Bankroll: $1262.21
VPPs: 29,944.45
Days left in 2015: 259

Played 1st session, tables are super quiet today currently only 4 running, so am going to take a break. Had some interesting hands:

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em $0.02 Ante - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $47.13
BTN: $39.18
Hero (SB): $25.00
BB: $20.00
UTG: $12.16

Pre Flop: ($0.25) Hero is SB with A J
1 fold, CO raises to $0.30, BTN calls $0.30, Hero raises to $1.20, BB calls $1.10, CO calls $0.90, 1 fold

Flop: ($4.00) J 4 4 (3 players)
Hero bets $2.95, BB folds, CO calls $2.95

Turn: ($9.90) 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $7.90, CO calls $7.90

River: ($25.70) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $12.93 all in, CO calls $12.93

Not sure about the river shove, but I think 10s-9s call here as does a worse jack, given they get 3:1

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em $0.02 Ante - 6 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $25.00
MP: $32.91
CO: $38.06
BTN: $28.30
SB: $44.73
BB: $14.48

Pre Flop: ($0.27) Hero is UTG with K K
Hero raises to $0.35, 1 fold, CO calls $0.35, BTN calls $0.35, 2 folds

Flop: ($1.32) 7 4 5 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.90, CO raises to $1.80, BTN calls $1.80, Hero raises to $3.95, CO folds, BTN calls $2.15

Turn: ($11.02) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $5.55, BTN calls $5.55

After the flop call, I am thinking he could have 7x (with possible two pairs), a set, flush draw or his straight may have just got there. I believe a bet here is fine.

River: ($22.12) J (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $18.43 all in, Hero calls $15.13 all in

I check with the intention of giving up, but then he jams, and I went back over my logic in the hand. I think that two pair or a set check behind here, unless they think they can VB an overpair, but I think that is uber unlikely. So we are either up against a straight or a busted FD. Likely the straight bets for value, though a shove is not out of the question, though the busted FD is going to be shoving almost any time it bluffs

This is a hand in an MTT I played, was wondering about my line. I think it is fine:
Poker Stars $25.00+$2.50 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t50/t100 Blinds + t10 - 9 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP1: t3320 M = 13.83
Hero (MP2): t4280 M = 17.83
CO: t9045 M = 37.69
BTN: t5520 M = 23
SB: t1940 M = 8.08
BB: t2750 M = 11.46
UTG: t2921 M = 12.17
UTG+1: t1734 M = 7.22
UTG+2: t3820 M = 15.92

Pre Flop: (t240) Hero is MP2 with J J
UTG raises to t200, 3 folds, Hero raises to t999, CO calls t999, 4 folds

Flop: (t2438) 2 8 A (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets t500, Hero calls t500

Turn: (t3438) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

River: (t3438) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets t500, Hero calls t500


Graph:
http://imgur.com/trgVlUF

Bankroll: $1326.64
VPPs: 30,053.88
Hands:1,227

Days left in 2015: 259

Started experimenting with overbets with mixed results.......

Understanding blockers and applying the knowledge is still a work in progress.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 3 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $27.11
BB: $62.50
Hero (BTN): $73.09

Pre Flop: ($0.50) Hero is BTN with A 3
Hero raises to $0.87, 1 fold, BB raises to $2.50, Hero calls $1.63

Flop: ($5.25) K 9 T (2 players)
BB bets $2.50, Hero calls $2.50

Turn: ($10.25) Q (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $6.40, BB calls $6.40

River: ($23.05) 2 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $38.64, BB calls $38.64




Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 6 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $90.12
SB: $28.53
BB: $25.00
UTG: $62.40
MP: $96.43
CO: $25.40

Pre Flop: ($0.65) Hero is BTN with J J
1 fold, MP calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.87, 2 folds, MP calls $0.62

Flop: ($2.39) 8 5 J (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $1.45, MP calls $1.45

Turn: ($5.29) 8 (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $3.80, MP raises to $7.60, Hero calls $3.80

River: ($20.49) 9 (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $52.34, MP calls $52.34




Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em $0.02 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN/SB: $37.63
Hero (BB): $30.37

Pre Flop: ($0.19) Hero is BB with 8 T
BTN/SB raises to $0.25, Hero raises to $1.25, BTN/SB calls $1

Flop: ($2.54) 7 9 J (2 players)
Hero bets $1.75, BTN/SB calls $1.75

Turn: ($6.04) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $4.65, BTN/SB calls $4.65

River: ($15.34) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $22.70 all in, BTN/SB calls $22.70

Day one is done, it was a winner,
the bankroll left fatter rather than thinner.

As the second session began to unfold,
all of villains hands managed to hold.

Though we ended up for the day our play shouldn't be over rated,
we don't want to be results orientated.

But not to worry the hero prevailed,
no more hands tonight, that ship has sailed.

Bankroll: $1499.62 + T$36.30
VPPs: 30,538.04
Hands: 3,838
Day Net:$252.11

Days left in 2015: 259

Firing up a quick session before breakfast with the mothership.


Bankroll: $1499.62 + T$36.30
VPPs: 30,538.04
Hands: 0
Day Net:$0

Days left in 2015: 257

Breakfast time, good start to the day. Will post interesting hands before resuming the grind.



Hands:547
Day Net:$40.70

Breakfast was epic, chia pudding and smashed avo for the win.

So 3 hands.....

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em $0.04 Ante - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $46.20
BB: $24.52
UTG: $22.25
Hero (CO): $44.56
BTN: $31.07

Pre Flop: ($0.44) Hero is CO with Q A
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.56, BTN calls $0.56, 1 fold, BB raises to $2.20, Hero raises to $5.44, BTN calls $4.88, BB raises to $24.48 all in, Hero raises to $44.52 all in, BTN calls $25.59 all in

Flop: ($86.82) 7 6 9 (3 players - 3 are all in)

Turn: ($86.82) A (3 players - 3 are all in)

River: ($86.82) 7 (3 players - 3 are all in)



Thought that if I could get the dead money to fold, our hand is +ev vs villains 5bet shove range. Then things got weird.


Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em $0.04 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $23.67
Hero (BTN/SB): $47.76

Pre Flop: ($0.32) Hero is BTN/SB with Q Q
Hero raises to $0.40, BB raises to $1.60, Hero raises to $4.24, BB raises to $10.56, Hero raises to $47.72 all in, BB calls $13.07 all in

Flop: ($47.34) 3 A T (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($47.34) 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($47.34) A (2 players - 2 are all in)



First AIPF of the day, seems pretty standard from my end.

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em $0.02 Ante - 4 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $22.52
SB: $27.31
BB: $48.92
Hero (CO): $26.94

Pre Flop: ($0.23) Hero is CO with J Q
Hero raises to $0.35, 2 folds, BB raises to $1.18, Hero calls $0.83

Flop: ($2.49) Q J A (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.75, BB calls $1.75

Turn: ($5.99) 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $4.05, BB calls $4.05

River: ($14.09) T (2 players)
BB bets $13.46, Hero ????



I think I level myself here often as I think villain can be bluffing a lot. Though this time I thought Kx was too much of villains range

Back to the grind, caffeinated and ready to go.

2nd session, breaking necks and cashing cheques. Though AK<AQ AIPF 2-3 times, still penny pimping.



Hands:2,351
Day Net:$94.48
(less the $55 and $27.50, for the MTT's I play every day, hope to make this back in $T)

Alright session 3 begins now....

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
Vince Lombardi

Currently 124/312 in nightly 25k.

Hands:2,351
Day Net:$94.48

43/149 in nightly 25k

90 places paid..... come on.

Currently 70/90 in nightly 25k. Min cash confirmed

Currently 42/60 in nightly 25k. Making bacon.

Whoops:
Poker Stars $50+$5 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t600/t1200 Blinds + t150 - 9 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG+1: t33529 M = 10.64
UTG+2: t18193 M = 5.78
MP1: t56144 M = 17.82
MP2: t42027 M = 13.34
Hero (CO): t16754 M = 5.32
BTN: t25910 M = 8.23
SB: t37280 M = 11.83
BB: t16041 M = 5.09
UTG: t19889 M = 6.31

Pre Flop: (t3150) Hero is CO with A Q
3 folds, MP1 raises to t2400, 1 fold, Hero raises to t16604 all in, 3 folds, MP1 calls t14204

Flop: (t36358) A 5 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: (t36358) 4 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: (t36358) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)





Followed by next hand...

Poker Stars $50+$5 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t600/t1200 Blinds + t150 - 9 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: t33379 M = 10.60
UTG+1: t18043 M = 5.73
UTG+2: t39390 M = 12.50
MP1: t41877 M = 13.29
Hero (MP2): t36358 M = 11.54
CO: t25760 M = 8.18
BTN: t36530 M = 11.60
SB: t14691 M = 4.66
BB: t19739 M = 6.27

Pre Flop: (t3150) Hero is MP2 with Q A
2 folds, UTG+2 raises to t2400, 1 fold, Hero raises to t6888, 4 folds, UTG+2 calls t4488

Flop: (t16926) 2 9 3 (2 players)
UTG+2 checks, Hero bets t7108, UTG+2 calls t7108

Turn: (t31142) 5 (2 players)
UTG+2 checks, Hero checks

River: (t31142) A (2 players)
UTG+2 bets t25244 all in, Hero calls t22212 all in



Tanked pretty hard OTR, I feel like this could be air trying to get rid of our Low pockets, we raised out A5/A3/A2 and 44 too, I think these hands are extremely unlikely. So unless villain has A9, which he shouldn't really given how tight we are, Vpip/Pfr 12/10, we should be good here. I called

52nd $105.57

Ran about $80 above ev today.... so that's sweet.

Going to review session and post some hands. Some here and some in Micros forum.



Hands:3,805
Day Net: $316.29
VPP's: 31,033.83
BR: $1,787.84

Deep run in MTT meant that 3rd session was pretty long, in future may switch to hand reviews when ITM in MTTs, so can focus and not make horrible river calls with AQ...... blergh.

I'm going to play 5/5 at my local tonight with my 1 bullet, so am going to hit the gym before squeezing in another session and hopefully closing the day with about 5k hands.

Just got destroyed sitting down for session 4 playing HU vs a reg, so am taking a break, session 4 is going to be a very expensive about 50 hands, best to stop now before I spew off more buy ins.

Am going to turn FPPs into T$ instead.

4th session now over.....

Absolute stinker. Kicked it off by donating some buy ins to klugkk, then had him on a few tables and we continued to tangle in a number of pots, almost all of which he got the better of me in a big way.

Tomorrow I am going to analyse our hands together and post some of them up here and take some notes on him. I need to adopt some of his moves, this guy is an absolute beast and seems to know what I am up to all the time.

Fell just shy of 5k hands as I played 10s horribly in a 3way 3bet pot and donated a buy in to some geezer, was feeling tilted so shut my tables down.

Free lesson gents, this is how not to play 10s:
Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 6 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $81.61
Hero (MP): $65.47
CO: $98.91
BTN: $65.05
SB: $31.59
BB: $38.98

Pre Flop: ($0.65) Hero is MP with T T
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.87, CO raises to $3, BTN calls $3, 2 folds, Hero raises to $10.20, CO calls $7.20, BTN calls $7.20

Flop: ($31.25) 9 7 A (3 players)
Hero bets $16.90, CO folds, BTN calls $16.90

Turn: ($65.05) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $38.32 all in, BTN calls $37.90 all in

River: ($140.85) 7 (2 players - 2 are all in)



I suck If he isn't finding a fold flop he isn't folding turn, so thats $38 I just set on fire.

If it wasn't for my run good would be -$1.00 for cash games.



Hands:4,866
Day Net: $164.90
VPP's: 31,193.13
BR: $1,716.12
Days left in year: 258

Trip report of live 5/5 coming tomorrow.

Just started grinding 5/5. Poker room is full of weekend warriors, drinks and terrible regs. So far so good. Trip report tomorrow, hopefully many dollars richer.

Last night was disappointing ended up with a small profit, but not bad considering I lost some big hands. Am going to head back to the casino this afternoon and play some hands with the terrible regs/weekend patrol. Will write trip report after that session.

Am going to grind some hands now...

Hands: 0
Day Net: $0
VPP's: 31,193.13
BR: $1,716.12
Days left in year: 257

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."
Arthur Ashe

As it's the weekend, going to try and get most of my volume in at NL16(deep) and NL25(deep).

Running about $200 above ev at the moment, so expecting that to snap back.

Played terrible 1st session had to call it early...

Was playing a reg HU (think I am better than this reg), then just got cold decked and tilted.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $87.64
Hero (BTN/SB): $67.39

Pre Flop: ($0.45) Hero is BTN/SB with K A
Hero raises to $0.62, BB raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $4.10, BB calls $2.60

Flop: ($8.30) K A 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $5.20, BB calls $5.20

Turn: ($18.70) T (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $11.40, BB calls $11.40

River: ($41.50) 5 (2 players)
BB bets $31.75, Hero folds



Can't call river

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN/SB: $106.97
Hero (BB): $66.90

Pre Flop: ($0.45) Hero is BB with T 8
BTN/SB raises to $0.87, Hero raises to $2.70, BTN/SB calls $1.83

Flop: ($5.50) T K J (2 players)
Hero bets $3.50, BTN/SB raises to $8.25, Hero should fold here Hero raises to $19.90, BTN/SB calls $11.65

Turn: ($45.30) J (2 players)
hero should fold here Hero bets $21, BTN/SB calls $21

River: ($87.30) 2 (2 players)
hero should fold here Hero bets $23.25 all in, BTN/SB calls $23.25



Well played hero, you're the best

And one more spewtacular one, just because I am terrible, this guy did me a favour and told me to quit tilting off BIs kind of snapped me out of whatever the **** I was doing.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $29.26
UTG: $37.04
Hero (CO): $87.84
BTN: $79.00
SB: $74.75

Pre Flop: ($0.60) Hero is CO with K J
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.87, 1 fold, SB raises to $2.77, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.90

Flop: ($6.04) 9 5 5 (2 players)
SB bets $3.22, Hero calls $3.22

Turn: ($12.48) 5 (2 players)
SB bets $4.89, Hero calls $4.89

River: ($22.26) 2 (2 players)
SB bets $7.99, Hero raises to $76.91 all in, SB calls $55.83 all in



To be honest, this one I hate the least, it's not great/even good, but it isn't the worst thing ever, given how much I am shoving for value here, because I am an aggro spewtard

Session 2, fed and focused.

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

Walt Disney.

Good for you! Keep it up. Was able to build my bankroll to 15k with the WSOP coming up in a few months and I did it pretty quickly, so I know you can do it.

Thanks man!! First input sending the good karma/run good vibes.

As it is the weekend and tables are slowing down am mixing in two tables of NL50(deep).....

This thread had kept me from tilting until that last session.....

I was playing bad, shotting NL50(deep) and generally stinking it up. So to keep this challenge thread/blog honest I have to own up. I got super tilted, from my bad plays and got my degen on and took my roll to 3/6HU, where many a time, a tilted me has met my downfall....

Here are the hands I thought I actually played well that got me tilted...

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em $0.10 Ante - 6 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $80.31
SB: $43.05
BB: $111.41
UTG: $120.00
MP: $341.65
Hero (CO): $125.08

Pre Flop: ($1.35) Hero is CO with Q Q
1 fold, MP calls $0.50, Hero raises to $1.75, BTN calls $1.75, SB calls $1.50, 1 fold, MP calls $1.25

Flop: ($8.10) 5 6 J (4 players)
SB checks, MP bets $1.50, Hero raises to $8.25, BTN calls $8.25, SB folds, MP folds

Turn: ($26.10) J (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $18, Hero calls $18

River: ($62.10) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $52.21 all in, Hero calls $52.21



Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em $0.10 Ante - 6 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $192.76
BB: $52.33
UTG: $39.59
MP: $121.60
CO: $125.49
Hero (BTN): $134.08

Pre Flop: ($1.35) Hero is BTN with K 6
2 folds, CO raises to $1.30, Hero raises to $5.50, 1 fold, BB calls $5, 1 fold

Flop: ($13.15) A A 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $8.03, BB calls $8.03

Turn: ($29.21) J (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($29.21) 8 (2 players)
BB bets $16.74, Hero raises to $120.45 all in, BB calls $21.96 all in



Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em $0.02 Ante - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $27.23
Hero (BTN): $26.22
SB: $25.13
BB: $57.28
UTG: $66.16

Pre Flop: ($0.25) Hero is BTN with A K
UTG raises to $0.30, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.95, 1 fold, BB raises to $3.30, 1 fold, Hero raises to $9.99, BB calls $6.69

Flop: ($20.43) T 8 5 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($20.43) 9 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($20.43) 6 (2 players)
BB bets $47.27 all in, Hero calls $16.21 all in



I almost folded the river, but levelled myself into calling to chop as AA, KK, QQ and any set can't bet here, A flush should let me know earlier and we should be able to eliminate all 7s and QJ from villains range given this is a 5bet pot

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em $0.10 Ante - 6 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $131.07
Hero (CO): $127.77
BTN: $121.75
SB: $83.70
BB: $46.56
UTG: $119.98

Pre Flop: ($1.35) Hero is CO with T T
2 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, BTN calls $1.75, 2 folds

Flop: ($4.85) 9 Q 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.25, BTN calls $3.25

Turn: ($11.35) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $6.25, BTN calls $6.25

River: ($23.85) 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $11.50, Hero calls $11.50



I know it's stupid but this really pissed me off, often enough villain has to bet with busted FD, worse pair.

TLDR: I am easily tilted, am on tilt and playing 3/6 HU


Incoming graph of me playing 3/6 HU4rolzzz LDO!!!