Just busted too...never thought I could bust that early in this tourney but AA hit a 2 outer on the turn to set over set my 99. Guy has played 75% of the pots and already flopped a set over set and hit another 2 outer to boat up against a flush. Has to have at least 60k already.

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@boilref Ouch!


September Graph: including both cash and tournaments. Weee!

Sounds like a lot of Mickey D's breakfasts. Better carve out some more time on the tennis courts. Good luck!

10:1 odds seems a bit in your favor. Most people I've heard that set goals of either $8k or $10k winnings in a month have met their goal. I'm pretty sure your game is better than those people and its quite reasonable to go 5K back to back to back months or something like that.

I'd do something like 3:1 odds though.

No worries. If anything you might just have to play a little more.

There are 13 full weeks until the end of the year. Then you get to take December 30th & 31st off!! Let's say you get in 25 hrs/week, and so on. This is your road to $15k.

25 hrs/week - 325 total hours - Need to average $46.15/hour
30 hrs/week - 390 total hours - Need to average $38.46/hour
35 hrs/week - 455 total hours - Need to average $32.97/hour
40 hrs/week - 520 total hours - Need to average $28.85/hour

So basically IF you can stick to 40 hrs/week and run like usual, then you got this. Just stick to your game. It's amazing what you have accomplished so far. Good luck.

@hashman u say it right! Thanks
@parallelflux its going to be tough. Don’t think I had a $5K month all year (maybe barely 1..mmm?). None the less, to have 3 straight the rest of year is gonna b insanely hard. Esp on 30hrs/wk. Might have to put in more time ~ 40hrs. Tournaments r going to bend me over as well. Im in the hole - $3,148. And cd end w -$5k if no run gd. Appreciate the confidence man. I’m going to try hard.
@tswpoker1 appreciate the breakdowns, that saved me some time. I think the 3 month game plan is playing longer and play more nights. Simple is that. Oh, and tourney score one time wd b nice.
I had the talk w the “lady”…
A few days ago, I asked if it would be ok to work more nights. She knows a little about this challenge, and realizes it’s a goal I’m trying to accomplish. I explained to her, that playing more nights and weekends could be more profitable for me (us). Also explained, I’m way behind the pace, and have a lot of catching up to do. She then asked, “why are nights better than days?” Then I knew permission wd b granted, if I could answer this question flawlessly. Let’s just say, I nailed it. She then said it wd b alright, and we agreed on a few nights during the week that it wd fit best. ….Oh btw, she does wear the pants! And I like it!
One thing is sure, gonna give it an honest effort.
Tomorrow is a free roll tourney w $10 add on. #oxymoron. Top 5 get main event seats. 1st place is a $3,500 tourney/gift package. It’s capped at 200 players. Watch out, cause I run gd in the “big ones”. Thursday is event 1, and I initially was going to play this one, but Monday I found out parent/teacher conference was the same night. So, no dice on Event 1. Looks like Event 2 Re-Entry ($365 buyn nlhe) will be my next tourney, Friday (day1a). Not sure on which other tournaments I’ll play beside free-rolling the main event. Intend on grinding tons of cash during the circuit.
Gl to all, and truly appreciate the motivation/critique/feedback/advise/etc. It means a lot!

see you this weekend. Plan on playing day 1a as well. will any big Omaha games be running during the circuit? Glgl

I think the omaha tourney is next thursday, oct 10th.

Do you have any idea what your median session is? I thought that your average was around $30/hr but any idea what your median session might be?

@yster I wd prob say 5-10-20 PLO is possible during the circuit. 1/2 PLO shd run on the reg during circuit.


This may help answer ur question. Although I wd ignore all Rebuy data #s. just because during my session i will "add on" chips to b half of big stack (half of big stack rule). So it's not really a Rebuy, but more of an add on (and sometimes it actually is a Rebuy). So the rebuy data #s can b misleading. Anyways, the data below will show my up to date hourly, winning sesh avg, losing sesh avg. as far as a "median session" I wd hv to do some math. I guess I cd take my cash totals $28,733 and divide by days played 170 = average sesh of $169.02.



Today: +$677 on 8 hrs played. Deck was hitting me hard! Oh how I love those days!! Then played the freeroll at 7pm, and its a gd possibility I was the first one out!

couple things to mention.
1) I think its a great idea to mix in some evening sessions.
2) That is awesome you have the support of your girlfriend in doing so.
3) You have put in 10 months of disciplined poker, while tipping well and paying fairly high rake to pot ratios. Do not let the end result, whether 40k+ or 30k or even 25k have any influence on your decisions at the table these last few weeks. You probably already know this but I just want to applaud and commend you for making this thread and sticking to it. It's truly inspirational.
4) Consider playing less tourneys and more cash as I think they are your bread and butter. Of course a big tourney score can make your year but they are so high variance and require so much time that I think, for the purposes of this challenge, you're better off without them.
5) I think you should factor in the gains off buying/selling main event seats. Did you win them playing 1-2, 1-3 or tourneys? No, but you wouldn't have had the opportunity unless you were already there grinding. Plus, it's technically your money that was fed into the promotions to begin with so imo it's essentially a form of rakeback.
6) Best of luck

And we're off…
Event 1 had around 180ish entries, and the cash games were flowing...The WSOP has arrived! It seems like everyone’s finest comes out of the woodworks for this one. I started the day waking up pretty late. I was getting texts last night from my buddy who placed 2nd in the freeroll. He was super stoke to win a main event seat. It was a pretty cool sweat last night, and I was really happy for him. Speaking of main event seats, I ended up with 8 total. The last one I bought came when I received a call in Cincy from a gentleman that won a seat a month ago at HSI. He hung onto his seat for awhile, then reconsidered and was planning on selling it. One of my dealer friends overheard him talking about selling it, and gave this guy my number. Long story short, I met him downtown Louisville at Lougi’s Pizza Parlor when I got back in town. This Jersey guy bought me a slice of pizza and a coke, and we settled the deal. For those that play at HSI, he is known as the “whistler”. He can be heard whistling fancy tunes at the tables, such as: Dock of the Bay, Sweet Caroline, Tears in Heaven. He tells the dealers he whistles in competitions. He drove a hard bargain, but he is one classy guy. Anyways, pretty much locked up half of my main event vouchers today, and will be selling 4 of them tomorrow. I am proud to announce one is lock up for Mr. Pegasus, and 2 others to the Big **** Poker Team. I enjoy doing business deals w classy fellows and also win/win situation for both. Also made a deal with another gd friend to sell to him Saturday for $x and a % in the main. This side $ really relieves some of my stress, and it’s kind of like getting a big bonus! I should end up making around $4K on these vouchers. Looks like it paid off to stay the duration of the days they were running the “high hand/main event seat” promotion. I ended up buying 8 out of 9 possible, and it turned out to be a great investment. It is still shocking to me that I never had to compete with anyone to buy these seats!
@Ashberj In reference to #5) I see where u r coming from, but I rather not count this side money as part of this $40K challenge. But from these vouchers, I am including the HSI Main Event as a free roll (it won’t be added to Tourney BuyNs). To your point on #4) Tourneys are another beast. I’m starting to reconsider if I really want to transition into more Tournaments next year, or not. I agree cash is my bread and butter, but I also feel long overdue on the Tourney front. I feel a big one is coming my way. I will stop at the -$5k mark on Tourney Totals, but I really want to play my “super bowl”, Hammond Main! I guess it will ultimately depend on if I have room for it. After losing $10 (add on) in yesterday’s free roll, it brings my Tourney results to date -$3,158. So if I don’t do run good at HSI WSOP, then might not b able to play Hammond Main. Thanks @ashberj for the quality post! Gl2u2.
Today: Bought in for $300 and grinded at table6 for 3 hrs, and it was pretty dead. Made about $60ish, and decided to move to a table w deeper stacks. If I’m going to go after this $40K, then I got to make +ev choices… table 12 looked gd/+ev. A couple players were playing $1k+, so I added a couple hundo to my stack (half of big stack rule), and now into game for $500 total. It was middling for the first hour at the new table, and then I woke up w Aces utg+1… Here is today's money maker hand:
The villain is new to the table and it’s his VERY FIRST HAND DEALT! Initial thoughts on newbie…Out of town grinder, thinking player , early 30s, wearing a hoodie , and for some reason has a bully(ish) demeanor, wearing all black. He sits down next to dealer in the open seat 1, and is utg the very first hand dealt. He opens to $8, I’m next to act and raise to $20 w the Alcoholics Anonymous AA. It’s folded to Villain who easily calls. I lean back in seat 9 and behind the dealer’s back, ask Villain, “How much u playing?” He casually replies, “180”. Now today they have a promotion called “Aces Crack”. If ur Aces get cracked, u win $100. Usually in 1/2 it’s not gd to get them cracked. I will usually play them the same way and try to win a big pot, but some players limp/pot control and try to get them cracked. i.e. spend $40ish and try to get cracked to win $100 ($60 profit), or win a decent pot. Back to hand…. Heads up to the flop w the newbie Villain. Flop is 3Q3. He checks, and I decide to check behind. I know weird, but for some reason I thought this wd be best line value. I was 90% sure he wd lead out turn, and I could raise small and get a call. Or he wd ch/call turn w his hand. Whereas if I bet flop, I could lose him. The turn was a perfect 3. He bets $40, I raise to $90, and he shoves $70 more. I thought, oh oh … I just ran into pocket Qs. I sheepishly call $70 more. River is 4 . Worst case scenario, I get a $100 rebate on Aces Crack promotion. He says, “ur good.” What? ! I didn’t understand the re-raise unless he has Queens full, or any 3. Doubt if Kings ever reraise here, it just didn’t make sense at all! I thought for sure if he is re-raising here then he has me beat w Qsfull, or something like A3 suited. Guess not. ??? Won $180 on that hand .
+$208 today on 5hrs of play, then went to parent/teacher conference. Tomo gonna try to grind a couple hours of cash before Event 2A. Hopefully advance to day 2 with a healthy stack.
Gl to everyone, and have a great weekend.

Did he buy back in or leave?!?1 hand isn't much of a work day.

He took the "walk of shame", and didnt come back. At least not to our table.

That's great that your dealer friend is looking out for you! Did you give this dealer any kick back? If not, you should. Gl on your goal. Thanks for taking us with you on your journey! It has been a great read. I signed onto twoplustwo few months back just for this thread only. I am a local southern indiana poker player, and heard about this blog through the grapevine. I'm glad I found it, and keep up all the hard work.

@seamsclean thanks man. glad u enjoy the thread. I'm just tying to keep it real posting bout this poker grind. It's not always peachy! For instance, today I played 4hours of tourney and busted. $365 down the drain. It's been a great day tho. Sold all but 2 vouchers and can't even close my wallet! Also got hooked up on a $60 food voucher to Legends. Im currently in the poker room waiting for my family to get here so we can eat some dinner.
To answer ur question, I gave $40 to my dealer buddy. He wasn't expecting anything, but I def wanted to gv him smthing.

Today: Cash: -$15 on 3hours. Tourney: -$365.

Prob no more tourneys til the free roll main.

Empty your wallet before tomorrow! $20 bills ya'll

. @hello7027 lol. I still got one locked up for ya tomorrow. Btw, u might want to wear a winter coat and ear muffs. My table was unbelievably cold. The far tourney tables (tables 23-28) against the wall are the worst! #artic Glgl Tomo. I'll b there grinding cash. The cash games are looking really gd! A lot of deep stacks, and every limit is playing a little higher than the norm. I.e 1/2 is playing like 2/5, etc. Saw one player bet $200 in the dark today. Correct, he did not look at his cards and shoved all in for $200 in early position pre flop. He got called, busted and reloaded. many players r straddling, so the 1/2 is like 1/2/5+. Don't get me wrong, many gd grinders, but also tons of gamble too. Tomo cd b a day full of swings. I plan on grinding 10a-4p. Wish I cd stay longer tomo, but have family plans at 6p.

Nice to meet you today! I busted out of the tournament right before 2nd break. That place is really noisy! I couldn't even hear the person on the mic. It looked like you was doing pretty well that 1-2 no-limit game. I'll see you in Hammond if you plan on playing the main event. Gl on your challenge.

@yster thanks. Feeling is mutual. As far as my 1/2 game u saw me in… wellllll looks can be deceiving. I bought in for $700, so it wasn’t as gd as u may hv thought. Also, I’d like to say I’ll be there in Hammond for main, we’ll c.

Poker can switch on a dime, and can run in some vicious cycles. Last week I hated poker, and this week I’m loving poker. The last few weeks have had more ups and downs than a bipolar patient in a psych ward. It can be tough at times, but I also know it’s like a gd yielding stock - Ups and downs, but always trends upwards. So knowing how these graphs pan out year in and year out, I just have to push through the lows, and keep the nose to the grindstone. I know at the end of every year, it will be time worthwhile. But during the year, poker can be struggle and really tough on the psyche. One has said, “It’s a hard way, to make an easy living.” Mental toughest, staying even keel, and maintaining a cool, calm, collected attitude are all key attributes for a poker player. This poker life can be very brutal!
Lately it’s been going good in the cash games. 6 winning sessions out the last 7. The one loss was a mere $15 on 3 hrs, and the wins have been an average of $300ish. But as I say, #evenkeel.. I know not to get too excited, for tomorrow could be a nightmare… Just never know.
Today: +$267 bought in for $700. Hit the $29k mark in cash ($29,193 to b exact). When I arrived this morning there was a game going from last night. Since a couple of players had some deep stacks ($1500ish) at the table, I bought in for half the big stack. I played a little tighter than norm, and just tried to book a solid win. I cut down on the bluffs, never got too out of line, and didn’t try to put myself in bad spots. I always try to stick with this game plan when the table is playing deep. It was pretty snug for me today. Tight is right. Torture them with tightness.

Is there not enough dealers there? Only 9 cash tables going with huge wait lists I was going to drive down tonight to play marathon session

Your right @sciemem55 not enough dealers. It was the case again today. Long list, but no dealers to deal. Usually around 3pm the dealers open up as players bust from the tourneys (noonT and 2pmT). I don't get it.

As if I knew, right on cue...lose -$267 on 6 hrs today. It seems whenever I mention a run good, it comes crashing day the next session. Most of it came on a stone cold bluff...
Villain: super tight, first 3bet from him, average rec player, has above average game, friendly, doesn't bluff, abc. $300 stack.
I'm in the Lb w KJ and make it $15 after 6 limpers. Utg+1 min raises to $30, Folded around to me, call $15more. We r both playing $300ish. The Flop is 586. We both check flop. The turn is 4 I bet $35. He calls. I'm pretty sure Villain has big pair or AK, but a lil perplexed on check flop. The river is 9 and I said screw it, I reppd pocket 7s on turn, so might as well rep it on river. I know he NEVER has a straight here, so I was going to see if I cd get this bluff through. I push out $85. He deliberates for a minute, and then asks dealer "how much is it?" I sit stoically while my heart is pounding. The dealer says, "85". Then Villain is cutting out chips, and at this point I think he is calling. For when does a player count out the chips, and not call!? So of course, he calls. Just what I thought, Villain has pocket Kings. I thought he could lay it down. Gd read on his part. He made a gd call! I bluffed off $150.
I straddled a few times today, and 0 for 4 on my straddles. Bad timing all around for me today.

I just want to say I'm a pretty big square for the most part. Nothing special here. Appreciate all the support tho.

Don't beat yourself up over a bluff. If you never get called bluffing then you're probably not bluffing enough.

@ashberj appreciate ya.

Lose again -$590.
I ended up w 2nd nuts<nuts a couple of times that cost me big bucks. I made a bad call w my pocket Jacks on a Q hi board. I got caught up in a worldly draw, and ended bluffing the river when I didn’t complete... That didn’t work to well. Overall, it was prob my “B” game. I cd have played tons better, and might have pressed a little too much in today’s session.

Running in mud.

Sidenote: Couple of days ago I started taking Fish Oil and B12 twice a day. Since that point, I lost -$857. Direct correlation? hmmm Got to blame it on something!

Be sure to start every session fresh. Don't let yesterdays mistakes become the focus of today's energy. Look at your overall performance and know that you are a winner in these games. This weekend is going to be a big winner for you I can feel it! All you have to do is go in 100% prepared mentally and the rest will fall in place.

PS: Second nuts<Nuts happens. Next time it will be the other way around (maybe not but you know what I mean).