freedom is overrated, kids are awesome

Very nice blog and awesome results! Keep it up!

Also would you mind sharing which laptop came out of your researchs as I am looking for a new one as well?

Come to Pattaya for a week for ya stag do and get it out of ya system m8!!

Dell Inspiron 5585 is the way to go (they are brand new). You absolutely can't get a better computer for the price it is right now, but make SURE to get the fastest of the 3 options (512gb ssd, 16 gigs, Ryzen 7 processor)

You're 2 years too late my man! As you can imagine, my appetites are extraordinary. We would get along just fine over there from what I've read in your thread. Maybe my girlfriend will give me one last hurrah and I'll bring over my crew before the marriage

Will still be hitting you up for all things app once I move out of the states. Looks like you're doing well bro

Thanks man, I need all the convincing I can get!

5/16/19 - Los Angeles

WEEKLY RECAP (Week’s total in parentheses)

May 6th - May 12th

Personal Admin - 120 mins/week (120)

Meditation - 7 days/week (4 days)

AA meetings - 1/week (1)

Stretching - 70 minutes/week (40)

Cleaning - 60 mins/week (0)

Pio/poker study - 120 mins/week (120)

Reading - 140 mins/week (0)

POKER

I had a ~$4k week, I’m playing the best poker of my life and have finally been running normal. Been studying a lot. Volume wasn’t great just because I had so much stuff to do this last week in preparation for LA/Europe for the next 4 months.

My computer was, of course, not delivered when Dell said it was going to be delivered, so I left for LA today without my new laptop; so tilting. I spent a lot of time on the phone absolutely livid with them so at least they gave me $100 off the computer. Anyways, no graphs until I get the computer (my gf is bringing it on the 20th).

LIFE

I drove to LA today and got settled in the loft I am staying, it is super nice and even better than I expected. There is a huge desk, nice desk chair (I had asked about this), and it will be a perfect place to just grind my arse off for a month. High ceilings, good light, all around v happy with the place. I can already tell from the session I put in I will be in a better mindset just from the good grinding environment. I absolutely love my gf’s family but grinding under someone else’s roof isn’t ideal for poker. Anyways, will be happy to get 8-10 hours in online most days and Gazzy tells me the Commerce 2k waters are warm so I’ll be happy to start splashing around when I need a break from the online grind.

Lots of other big life plans in the works but probably going to keep that stuff out of the thread for now. I was happy to see Zion go to New Orleans (I went to college there), I’d love to see a good fanbase grow in one of my favorite places in the world.

Anyways, super stoked to be in LA, I've got some great friends here and I just like it here. If anyone is swinging thru between now and June 10th, give me a shout

Some pics of the place

subbed. your blog is unbelievably good!

5/21/19

Just a quick note to say I FINALLY got my new computer! It seems to be working fine so far.

Will finally be able to play with a HUD, and looking forward to not having to go back and forth between computers to import hands and update the thread.

Poker's been pretty slowgoing since I got here, been in great games though. I think I'm fighting off a sickness or smthg because I am tired constantly. Have been taking 1-3 naps/day since I got here.

All my hands so far:



Tonight going with my girl and 2+2'er and all around great guy Berri Sour to a rooftop bar my buddy works at.

GL @ the tables

Thanks!

WEEKLY RECAP (Week’s total in parentheses)

May 13th - May 19th

Meditation - 7 days/week (6 days)

AA meetings - 1/week (1)

Stretching - 70 minutes/week (50)

Pio/poker study - 120 mins/week (60)

Reading - 140 mins/week (20)

Yoga/Core Routine - 7 days (2 days)

POKER

I’ve been making some really good adjustments to the way I approach poker and I think it’s done volumes for my mental game.

I have a big sample of beating the games at a good clip now, and I’m no longer stressed about my ability to make a decent living online. Because I have a little bit of breathing room financially, I’m focusing less on my results and am now trying not to check my results at all during the session. It’s pretty hard bc I’m so damn compulsive by nature, but I have been succeeding with it.

With my computer I’m able to run SIMS and more I’ve found some places where the population SEVERELY over or underbluffs a few spots and adjusted my calling frequencies which has really helped my wr.


LIFE

I adjusted my weekly goals due to my current lifestyle (I have more free time) so while I’m a little less concerned about maximizing my time (I don’t need to set aside time for personal admin stuff), I have more stuff I want to incorporate (stretching/core routine, more reading time, etc).

I’m getting in really good shape physically with the extra time, I’ve been extending my workouts and am officially within range of being where I want to be. Another 3%ish off my bf and I’ll be there.

5/28/19





WEEKLY RECAP (Week’s total in parentheses):

May 20th - May 26th

Meditation - 7 days/week (6 days)

AA meetings - 1/week (1)

Stretching - 70 minutes/week (60)

Pio/poker study - 80 mins/week (60)

Reading - 140 mins/week (20)

Yoga/Core Routine - 7 days (5 days)

POKER

Online

I’ll be back to 1k from now on barring another huge ds. These are all the hands in my new database on my computer, which should be my permanent db going forward. I’m really happy with how I’m playing. I actually feel like playing live is helping out my overall patience, which is funny.

Live

Yeah it’s gone really well, I haven’t played a ton of hours because my girlfriend was here for the last 8 days, but the strongest parts of my game (adjusting, exploitation) are on full display at a live table and I feel like a cat playing with mice exactly 100% of the time. I’ve been playing 5/10 and 10/20 at the Commerce and the gap between online winners and live pros is still laughably huge. It’s SO funny to sit and listen to these guys talk about the “best players in the world” - those fish from Live @ the Bike (Garrett, Art, etc). It’s just a whole different world. I had to work out some sizing stuff at first (it’s kind of hard to 3bet 4x 100bbs deep from the blinds with the raise sizes being what they are), but I’ve ironed out my basic strategy and I will continue to print.

I probably won’t play much more 5/10 live unless I need a break, just not worth it. Unfortunately the 10/20 doesn’t run that often. It’s a really interesting game because a few of the players buy in ridiculously deep. I actually have a really strong deep game because of deep HU back in the day, but I’m not rolled for that just yet. As it is, I’ll just continue to buy in for 100-150bb’s and collect heads.

Going forward (I’m here til the 10th), I’ll be putting the majority of my volume in online (especially once I get back to 1k), the hourly will make it way more +ev to play online….but I’ll definitely be supplementing it with some live hours. It’s more fun, it’s a break from being in the apartment solo, and there’s the chance to have some huge days while I’m here. As I am typing this I see ignition is down so may have to go grind live anyways ha.

LIFE

Yeah everything is great. Having my gf here was awesome but I’m stoked to be back on the full time grind and really set myself up for Europe. I haven’t run well for the last couple months but I literally couldn’t care less. I am playing great poker, I’m happy, I’m healthy.

I’ve been working out every day and my workouts are great. I'm reeeeeally loving that I'm finally in a daily basic yoga/core routine.

My hard work is paying off. Life's good.

GL @ the tables

Great stuff man. Continued success

Oladipo, I take it you were pro for a few years prior to this stretch...? It would be hard to imagine a busy chef and someone that partied a lot, just climbing up the virtual and live stakes in 2019 without a TON of experience beforehand on both felts... Anyhow, very impressive bro, keep it up

Garrett a fish, really... Never played with him or watched Live at the Bike/PAD extensively for that matter, but his posting in the GDAF thread is solid along with his interview on Joey Ingram's podcast that was the elite af (best on the pokerlife podcast).

All the best friend, you seem to be in a very good headspace

Thanks man

Thanks friend. Yeah I played full time for a long time, success always depended on sobriety, was at turns v disastrous and v successful. At peak sobriety before my last relapse was beating 10/20 6max on stars and playing all but maybe 10-12 ppl at 50/100 HU on stars. Finally got sober and we will see how far I can go.

I feel bad calling Garrett a fish, it’s all relative of course. He works very hard, he’s competent, and I actually really like him from what I’ve seen. I just mean that comparatively to good online winners he’s a fish. Then again, he doesn’t need to study any harder than he does or improve to beat the games he plays... so it’s probably unfair to call him that.

Hope you’re doing well my friend. Will catch up on your blog soon

This thread is awesome. I read the whole thing start to finish.

Is a PT4 hud compatible with ignition now? Not like for tracking players long term obviously since it's all anonymous but can you use it for stats while sitting at the table? I bought Hold'em indicator awhile back for keeping stats during the session. Even though it erases when a player leaves it was still really helpful because I could identify regs relatively quick.

6/5/19




WEEKLY RECAP (Week’s total in parentheses):

May 27th - June 2nd

Meditation - 7 days/week (7 days)

AA meetings - 1/week (1)

Stretching - 70 minutes/week (70)

Pio/poker study - 80 mins/week (120)

Reading - 140 mins/week (20)

Yoga/Core Routine - 7 days (7 days)

POKER

Online

Going well, playing well, printing ev.

Live (@ the Commerce)

I’ve run bad in some big spots at 10/20 when the straddle is on but I’ve been doing well overall, my hourly is very high in those games.

LIFE

Everything is good, went to Auburn last night for dinner with a friend, was really solid, and a beautiful space. They’ll be getting a Michelin star at least. Going to box at Freddy Roach’s gym this week which I’m looking forward to. Went to the Broad, great museum and loved the Marc Bradford exhibit.

It’s my last week here so will be grinding really hard.

I'm really loving into the new National album; the short film that went along with it (starring Vikander) is really great too.


GL @ the tables

What is the difference between the food of a restaurant that got a michelin star and one that is a top one but doesn't have? Do you think a regular person can perceive the difference?

Gl man!

Hey man!

Glad to hear things are going so well for you. Thanks for re-sharing the blog with me. Just read all your posts (not many of other ppl's - TLDR), and it's for sure intriguing, entertaining and inspiring. Obviously, you've told me personally about a lot of this stuff, but I'm finding the details in your writing both interesting and insightful to me in certain areas.

You probably don't think I have much of a work ethic (if you even know who this is yet), but I'm one of more tenacious ppl you will meet once I've genuinely bought into something. You make me want to work a lot harder, and it feels as though my poker dreams might not be all out of reach, despite my current fiscally precarious circumstances.

Also, thanks so much for taking the time to help me improve my game. It's been game-changing (lol) to say the least, and I'm excited to see how far I can go.

Anyway (disclaimer: gonna get a little syrupy here), I just wanted to let you know that I'm super grateful we crossed paths and became friends. Not only for the obvious reason of making me a better player, but also because I've gotten to form a connection with a somewhat likeminded individual, who has a lot of talent, passion, and will smack me upside the head with tough love when needed.
I remember when we first met and got lunch you were bizarrely forthright to me, a total stranger, about your life and previous struggles (it kinda caught me off guard, but in a good way). Since then, I've witnessed a ton of growth as well as some of your ups and downs (as, no doubt, you have done with me), but to see you really making it... I'm proud of you man!

Congrats on the continued sobriety, keep up all the good work, continue crushing souls, and absolute best of luck.

6/9/19






WEEKLY RECAP (Week’s total in parentheses):

June 3rd - June 9th

Meditation - 7 days/week (7 days)

AA meetings - 1/week (1)

Stretching - 70 minutes/week (70)

Pio/poker study - 80 mins/week (80)

Reading - 140 mins/week (20)

Yoga/Core Routine - 5 days (7 days)

POKER

Online

Going well, always a good feeling to start to catch up to the yellow line. Got on Chico and have been adding some tables to try to get 6 running. At first it was too fast (timebank really quick on that site) and I made some errors, but have got it down now. Trying to figure out what’s optimal for me, I think 6 is good. I think I’m a slower thinker than most and need more time than a lot of players to come to the correct decisions. Sometimes when I am playing, I need to look at the hand in order to think “Oh, actually he can’t have that here, because he would have bet flop with it” - stuff like that.

Do ppl use HUD’s on Chico? And how do ppl import their hand histories? I am free styling at the moment, but I know that some of the 5/T regs use them bc they were talking about it in chat.

Live (@ the Commerce)

Yeah this went really well, that’s all I have to say about that.

LIFE

Overall, I loved it here. Every night, I went up to my roofftop hot tub and just soaked it in. I saw good friends (and made some good friends), I saw some cool stuff in the city, I made some money, and it ended up being everything that I wanted it to be. I really got after it in the gym too, at least until this last week.

I got sick during my last week (one overnight 14 hour commerce session did me in). Idk actually if it was worth the 11k I made over the session because I didn’t get as many solid online sessions in afterwards. I was having to take a lot of naps every day. I’m still not 100%.

Driving back to SF tomorrow, I am mostly packed. 2 more weeks in SF then off to Europe!


GL @ the tables

When I am talking about a restaurant going for a star, it’s more the TYPE of restaurant it is and what they are doing rather than the quality necessarily (although it assumes a high standard is already met).

Michelin stars are an interesting biz and there’s way more to it than you would guess, let’s talk about it next Skype convo.

Hey man this means a lot. You’ve always been there for me when times were tough and I am happy to send it right back. I wish I would of had more time actually to help you out but this whole thing is pretty demanding and pretty much for the last 6 months, since it’s gone well, I’ve felt like I “should” be grinding. In any case I am super stoked to see you finally doing well, if you just put in the effort and don’t get discouraged, the results will come. You’re easily smart enough.

The biggest thing is not falling off track when things start to go badly. It’s easy to slip into a stretch where we play our b-c games, blame variance, and break even for stretches when we shouldn’t be. I’m glad we can hold each other accountable and that will be very important going forward. That’s why it’s great you’re playing with a hud and have always been good at tracking your results.

Another thing you should do is mark problem hands, that way you can make effective improvements in your decisions in spots that you probably keep running into.

Subbed! Awesone thread

6/18/19





WEEKLY RECAP (Week’s total in parentheses):

June 10th - June 16th

Meditation - 7 days/week (5 days)

AA meetings - 1/week (3)

Stretching - 70 minutes/week (60)

Pio/poker study - 80 mins/week (80)

Reading - 140 mins/week (0)

Yoga/Core Routine - 5 days (4 days)

POKER

Online

Just hit 40k hands in this database (Chico results aren’t tracked so those are just my ignition hands). It’s going well, have gotten back into playing some HU on chico against some beasts (antoha, huang, some other guys idk their stars sn's but are very good). Have had really positive results on that site so far despite running lol bad in flips. I was getting a lot of HU action at first (gotta love a new screenname) but now it's died off. The only thing that kills me on that site is the time banks - I really wish they had longer time banks. I definitely still have a big edge on most of the field hu, even though I’ve had to make some adjustments bc a lot of what people are doing didn’t even exist when I last played hu (2014).

LIFE

Things are happening fast and I’m trying to grind as hard as possible until I fly for Norway, where my gf and I are going to start our Euro trip with a week checking out the fjords around Bergen.

One potentially exciting thing is a friend convinced me to get into the building-your-own-brand thing, so I bought a camera, a few tripods, a mike, and some more accessories. I was really hesitant at first b/c I'm not naturally comfortable as the center of attention. But, I came around to the idea and I am thinking of just vlogging my experience in Europe, not many get that close to one of the world’s top restaurants. Another thing I am thinking of doing is like a video series involving health and fitness - my idea is to do a 30 day challenge where I document my health and fitness, video my workouts and do like mini cooking classes where I show what I eat (and obviously how to cook it) for dinner. I follow a lot of pgc’s and other people’s “fitness journeys”, and the fitness side of almost all of them are absolutely half-assed (or misguided) trash. I work out hard, keep muscle on, and maintain low body fat year round, and I obviously have a lot of nutritional knowledge. I know I could really offer people some guidance in this field. Plus, it would be fun to show ppl what kind of progress is possible in just 30 days of short workouts and clean eating.

From there, who knows, I could branch off and do other content (sobriety, cooking - even poker, even though that feels like a saturated market and idk if I’d be interested in that).

Like my friend says, worst case scenario I’ll have a bunch of content to look back on these experiences down the road!

GL @ the tables ladies

Subbed bud, very good vlog, keep it up

can't believe I didn't see this thread earlier, subbed & glgl

testing if my subscriptions works not used to 2+2 ahah

I already run pure - no luck needed but thx anyway =)

Which restaurant are you talking about? Is it Noma?

Love the vlog idea. You should totally do it. I think a large audience would find it interesting if you presented it in the right way.