Im playing the main event pokermnaina. looks like i will miss you this time around. ill be back in october tho for wsop and catch up wit you then. Get some r and r and come back strong.

Man, my day to day graph would look a lot swingier than your results from the past few days. You haven't been up or down more than $300 in the past 7 sessions. Whats the deal with that?

Also, do you know what your hourly is from when you started this year?

The past 7 sessions just happen to work out that way. Some of the sessions were pretty swingy within the hours played. It's just when I cashed out w a 100 up or down it doesn't look that way. But within the session, there were a couple of times that I wd b up or down $200-400 at one time, and end up w 100 win or loss. According to my Porker Journal App, my avg winning sesh is $353 and average losing sesh is $293. As far as your question on hourly, I started this year as a clean slate and didn't continue any data from previous years. My hourly now is $29.42 in cash, and has been hovering around that amount over the last six months +/- $3. Thanks for following along w my journey @parellelfux, and wish u the best of luck in ur grind.
Pondering poker on the beach, I realize I'm rarely content even tho my stats r gd. I just never seem satisfied, and always hungry for more. It really isn't a great trait to have. I need to just breath and enjoy what I have. Tryn to traverse my thoughts into-it cd always b worse! #blessed #grateful #perspective #selfish #noquit #challenge

Coming back with a vengeance for the last 6 months!!

Enjoy your vacation Ray...

Here is my Monday story of the week:
A guy opened for $100 then called a $384 shove with A9o against me in a $50 splash the pot hand. #pokerisfunagain

$30 is a fantastic hourly! I remember talking to a very solid reg (who routinely crushed me when he and I were playing 1/2 together, also only guy to cooler me boat vs straight flush and get me to stack off 300BB with overpair... this is about 2 years back) and we were talking a bit about hourly. He estimated 2/5 hourly of $35 to be quite good and sustainable. He's now crushing 2/5 easily and mostly playing 5/10. So coming from him, having a $30/hour in 1/2 is phenomenal!

Not sure if the $30 hourly is sustainable over a real sample size. If its possible anywhere, HSI would be the place. The game is geared for the cream to rise to the top.

I think I witnessed that from the 2 seat. 3 seat was trying to give it away all morning, but just couldn't lose. I think he cashed out for a little over $2K.

That's right. He had $1200 when I sat down. He went down to $700 then back up to $2100. I ran over him, but he donked out on everyone else.

You've been absolutely crushing the game dude. Keep it up in the second half. You deserve the Vacation. Enjoy your time with the fam!

It’s good to be back from the much needed vacation. The time away was spent reflecting, relaxing, and eating a lot of seafood. I ate alligator for the first time, and it wasn’t too bad. I would best describe the taste as a mix of chicken and hush puppy. Also played tennis w the Senior Games Mens Tennis Champ (50-55yr old division), and split sets w the Ole Champ. One other thing I wanted to do while in Florida was to check out the poker scene at Seminole Hard Rock. I got a chance to put in a lengthy session, and all the hype is true. Poker is definitely booming in Florida. 20+ tables on noon Wed. Also can easily foresee the poker to be very profitable there long term. Just after visiting one time, I wanted to house hunt. But that will never happen, I’m stuck in the great Southern Indiana. The one big thing I did notice about the players there is they call a lot of bets w minimal holdings! I think I saw 1 bluff in 8hrs, and players were still calling river bets really light. I pretty much shut down the bluffs unless I was super sure I cd get it through. Surprised that place isn’t called, “The Calling Station Hard Rock”. +$265
Halfway Mark- 6 Month Update.
Cash Games = $19,770. Total Hours= 672 @ $29.41/hr. Logging an Averaging of 26hrs/week. Average Buy-n on Winning Sessions= $378. Avg Winning Sesh= $351. Average Buy-n on Losing Sessions= $383. Average Losing Sesh= $293.
Day of Week Filter-
Best Day-1)Sunday, 12 sessions, $4,781, $58/hr, 11wins 1loss. 2)Monday, 19 sessions, $4,910.,$42/hr,15 wins 4 losses.
Worse Day-1)Saturday,13 sessions, $738, $10/hr, 8wins 5 losses. 2)Tuesday, 17 sessions, $1,887, $21/hr, 11 wins 6 losses.
On Annual Pace for $39,540
Total Tournament Buy-ns= $2,575. Per Challenge will play $5k worth of tournaments. Total Profit= -$1,875(negative).
On Annual Pace for -$3750(negative)
Promotions= $200
On Annual Pace for $400
Combined Totals As of today – ($19,770C - $1,875T + $200P) = $18,095
combined on pace for $36,1900.=Not meeting the Challenge
Self-Assessment over the past 6 months- I have far exceeded my expectations. I have been very happy with my play over the first 6 months of the $40k Challenge. It is satisfying to know that I have maintained discipline to stay within the Challenge requirements (consisting of playing 1/2 and 1/3nhle only, logging 30+hrs/wk, and total Tourney buyns not to exceed $5K). Well 2 out of 3 disciplines have been met, I still need to log more hours! I have said this over and over, but I really need to bring up my hours/wk average. This is something I want to improve on to close out the year.
I am pleased that I am winning on the whole “temptation game”,..There have been MANY times I wanted to sit in the 5/10/20nhle game or even the 2/5, but never acted on the temptation. This was another reason to start this thread at the beginning of the year, so it could help me stay disclipined with my BR management. I have realized from years past, a big key to poker success is BR management. These bigger games will still be there next year when I’m ready to move up. I just need to be patient and wait until the BR is suited for the game. The months ahead I will continue to keep showing up and wait for that big score. Thanks for following the thread during the first half of the year, and I appreciate all the support I have received.
All this was typed before today’s session. I fig since the drawings for cash and car was today at HSI that I wd show up and log some hours. Nothing wd make me more sick than Promotions calling my name and me not being there to claim. So usually on the drawing days I play. Glad I did +$867 today. One of those days where deck was hitting me hard. Flopped 3 sets w pockets pairs and winning an average of $170ish on those hands.

Way to go man, keep it up. I know how hard the grind can be, I've been really lazy the last two years and this def gives me some incentive.

Oh, nice haircut btw, what does the finished product look like!? lolz

Walking in now. I had Muhammad on monkey tilt yesterday. I'm thinking Christian tonight.

@H_ven first off, I'm glad the thread is inspiring u to grind harder. Secondly, I rocked the hair cut Saturday evening at Church, but went w the hat n the poker rm today. For everyone else wanting a gd laugh the hair cut can be seen here http://twitter.com/RayzRayl/status/3...800448/photo/1

Here's a Hand
UTG+2- Played w him many of times. An up and down player in sessions-losing player overall, Plays any 2, 50yr old semi reg called me a shark twice today, always gd for a couple buyins, knows a bit about the odds, but never abides by them, calls super thin, plays 90% of hands dealt, limp calls a lot PreF for upwards to $20. Witnessed 2bet to $18 in MP w K 7 early in the sesh. Loves the Action and despises certain dealers.
Im in the LB ($525)w QQ,
fold to UTG+2 ($360)makes it $10 pf. Cutoff ($1100) Calls, I decide to just call. If I was behind the button, I wd def raise here. I wanted to disguise my hand here, and try to play a big one Post Flop. 3 to a flop of J 8 4. I check, UTG+2 cuts out $20 whites, CO calls, and I raise to $80. UTG+2 called, (seemed to call the raise easily, and within comfortable control) and CO calls (seemed to be a draw(straight or flush) or J (J9, J10, JQ, Jk, AJ). The turn is a 5, I check and UTG+2 bets $170 (w$100 behind), CO Folds, so after a bit of tanking, I do the ole, “Will u show me if I Fold routine”. I was thinking I was going to fold the whole time, but wanted to see what he had to say, if anything. He responded casually with “Yes” and a head nod. I never know what the right answer is when I ask. When smone asks me in this situation I will usually say nothing if I want a call, and if bluffing I will only say “yes” if the questions comes from a gullible lady. I’m not sure if I have ever replied, “No”. Sorry, back to the hand…So I check turn, MP bets $170, CO folds, and I’m tanking for about 1min 30 secs looking at the pot of $441, then after asking “will u show if I fold” on minute 2, he respond causally w “Yes” and head nod. This is followed by another minute of tank, and on minute 3 I glance down at my pocket Qs, and …
J845
Any ideas?
What did UTG+2 have?

I'm folding. I think players like that call off their money bad, but don't lead with top pair strength hands on this board. I'd guess he hit the gutter or a weird 2 pair. Maybe even AA.

I have no idea what he has. My question is you didn't 3 bet pre-flop saying you wanted to play a big one post-flop...Now that's what you have on a pretty dry board with a villian with a huge range...but I probably fold as most players like this don't bet that big in this spot without 2 pair or better.

If your intention was to play a big pot then I'm thinking you called and maybe he just has AJ?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using 2+2 Forums

I agree w/Fluke22. After dwelling on this hand a bit he probably hit the gutter. But in the moment it's hard for me to say that I would have folded against described villain. My guess for his hand is 76.

Against this villain though would it not have been better to 3bet preflop and build the pot knowing you're most likely ahead of his range and he's likely to call because of his love for action?

I didn’t 3bet preflop primarily because I was out of position against a maniac player. I rather play it more cautiously here while disguising my strength of hand. I agree, I probably cd a little better feel (not much) for his hand range if I put in a 3bet to $55 pf. But lets say I did that, 100% this calling station is calling 3bets upwards to $60 after putting n $10. And it could still be any 2 from this Villain. Then CO may still call, or fold. Now Im still HU or 3players to flop out of position. Or if I 3bet to $55 and he makes it $200 (w $160behind), I wd have to fold wo seeing a flop. I just hate 3 betting the pot up preflop OOP w Qs or less in this spot. Not to say I won’t ever, because the right situation I will (poker is situational). I fig I could get a better feel and supremely narrow his hand range more by check raising the flop if it comes no better than J hi flop. Also if he does have a big hand (like KK, AA), and I got lucky and flopped a set, I cd quite easily felt him. He is the type of player that if he has top pair or overpair on dry board, he is calling it off all day/everyday. With this particular Villlian/scenario (again poker is all situational) I thought the most optimal play was just calling out of position. Plus I like the fact that he is never putting me on QQ here, for the sake most people wd 3bet pf.
I don’t like having or being perceived of “control/dictator/bully/I got the best hand” of THIS PARTICULAR pot by 3 betting pf. Rather b the snake in the grass. Just mixing it up here.
Gd insight. Ill let u guys know the outcome in a couple of hours n case anyone else wants to chime in.

That's a good reason to 3bet if he's never folding, I'd rather play it HU anyways.

3bet folding QQ would suck, but I think you define each players range better by 3betting.

Just calling QQ is fine oop rather than 3betting 100% of the time.

Tough spot, I think I may a crying fold but don't like it, as played.

I respect it. And appreciate the feedback as always. Thanks
Conclusion-TMinus 1hr and 30mins (ish)

I agree with the 3betting pre. Trickiness is overrated and overall unnecessary in 1/2. If you want to get tricky, 3bet more, not less, it should increase your winrate anyway as long as you don't have terrible timing.

I generally reserve flatting with QQ+ against tougher opponents.

As for the hand, I realllllllly hate to fold. I would try to determine how high Villain's spaz factor is. Can he have AJ and is overplaying against you? I mean, I wish you have more information other than he comfortably called you on the flop and now bombs turn. I mean, why the heck didn't he repop you on flop 3way. Also, 67 is an awful narrow range to give to villain...why would anyone want to put him on a one hand range?

T minus 33mins
Get ur popcorn ready.

I wasn't saying I narrowed villains range to two specific cards. Although, it'd be cool if I could. I'd be rich! Our friend Bsymmetry asked for guesses. So I put one forth. Like guessing how many jelly beans are in the jar at the County Fair. Unless I completely misunderstood (which, in that case... oops ).

It wouldn't be much fun if I guessed his range was any 2 cards lol. Which is prob decently accurate.

Well, I folded. After he called my check/raise on flop, and then still bet a healthy amount on turn after I checked turn. I fig club draw or AJ at worse.

He keeps his word, and shows me 2 cowboys

I decided 67cc isn't post worthy. I'm going with QQ.