Hey guys,

I tried making one of these before but it kinda fell off. A couple reasons why I wanted to give it another shot:

- I recently left a CFP so there really hasn't been any accountability for the past month in terms of volume, studying, etc.
- Having this will be a lot easier to track and reach my goals while sharing my journey with the community

Financial freedom is different for a lot of people. For me, I am currently 250k+ in student debt from pharmacy school and trying to save enough for a down payment for a house in Southern California. The latter is even more of a priority now because I just had my first newborn in June. My wife and I are still working on a comfortable number to take our first steps towards buying our first home. I am hoping poker will expedite the process in tackling these two beasts.

As far as my poker background, I played growing up but never really put effort to improve. I deposited a total of $500 across a few sites in late 2016 and went from 10nl to 200nl, however I will start this blog at 100nl. I punted a decent portion of my poker bankroll trying to bink a decent score via way-too-high buy-in donkaments before my daughter was born anticipating the future lack of sleep. The binks never happened but the lack of sleep did.

I will keep my goals simple:

- Pay off 10% ($25k) of student debt
- Contribute 10% ($15k) of house down payment
- Get breakeven in MTTs (approx. -$8.5k over 80 games )

Once we reach these goals, we'll update as needed.

Thanks for reading!

Subbed. Good luck and hope you achieve all you set out to do.

Thanks man! We'll get there

Going to do a stats analysis at the end of the month to figure out what topics to focus on going into November. Also have to figure out which days I'm able to squeeze in MTTs. The more I think about it, the more I think the MTT goal will be harder to hit than the first two. It's tricky when you work full-time, have a newborn, and try to find a day to dedicate potentially 8+ hours to min-cash.

Month going well so far. Will update with graph next weekend.

Some hands:

1) Multi-way action with the eye roll fold
Poker Stars, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $99 (99 bb)
BB: $123.57 (123.6 bb)
MP: $132.77 (132.8 bb)
CO: $41.74 (41.7 bb)
Hero (BTN): $159.65 (159.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with T K
MP raises to $2.50, CO folds, Hero raises to $8, SB folds, BB calls $7, MP calls $5.50

Flop: ($24.50) Q 9 4 (3 players)
BB checks, MP checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($24.50) J (3 players)
BB bets $11.64, MP raises to $35.28, Hero folds, BB raises to $58.92, MP raises to $124.77, BB calls $56.65 and is all-in

River: ($255.64) K (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: $255.64 pot ($3.00 rake)
Final Board: Q 9 4 J K
BB showed J 7 and won $252.64 ($129.07 net)
MP showed T 8 and lost (-$123.57 net)
Hero mucked T K and lost (-$8 net)

2) Underbluffed sigh fold
Poker Stars, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $190.17 (190.2 bb)
BB: $116.85 (116.9 bb)
MP: $122.50 (122.5 bb)
Hero (CO): $116.79 (116.8 bb)
BTN: $232.20 (232.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q K
MP folds, Hero raises to $2.50, 2 folds, BB raises to $8, Hero calls $5.50

Flop: ($16.50) 7 K 5 (2 players)
BB bets $10, Hero calls $10

Turn: ($36.50) J (2 players)
BB bets $30, Hero calls $30

River: ($96.50) J (2 players)
BB bets $68.85 and is all-in, Hero folds

Results: $96.50 pot ($3 rake)
Final Board: 7 K 5 J J
BB mucked and won $93.50 ($45.50 net)
Hero mucked Q K and lost (-$48 net)



3) A couple mistakes here

Poker Stars, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $124.74 (124.7 bb)
Hero (BB): $184.67 (184.7 bb)
UTG: $159.14 (159.1 bb)
MP: $107.74 (107.7 bb)
CO: $101 (101 bb)
BTN: $130.69 (130.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A 2
3 folds, BTN raises to $3, SB folds, Hero calls $2

Flop: ($6.50) A K 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $2, Hero calls $2

Turn: ($10.50) A (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $5.99, Hero calls $5.99

River: ($22.48) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $40.34, Hero folds

Results: $22.48 pot ($1.12 rake)
Final Board: A K 7 A Q
Hero mucked A 2 and lost (-$10.99 net)
BTN mucked and won $21.36 ($10.37 net)

Subbed! GL

In for this, gl buddy

Thanks man!

Appreciate it Jerrad!

---

October Results: +$2027.27



Month went pretty well overall, almost went off the rails on the last day but we didn't force anything and just got some quality hands in. Stayed consistent with the grind, we've gotta ante up the consistency in terms of studying. Planning to put in a couple more sessions today, run some scripts overnight, figure out my schedule for the month and dive into some stats work out what to focus on this month tomorrow. Probably going to add some untracked sites as well moving forward, sometimes games are pretty dry on WPN.

I've been trying to get back into working out on a more routine schedule to get rid of this dad-bod (it's a real thing). I was doing kettle bell swings earlier and my lower back gave out; some type of strain with sharp pain even when walking. This happened once before and I was out 1-2 weeks. So no golf range either.. no bueno.

On the brightside, this will give me a chance to start a book called "The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children." Tapping into various resources and just want to be a good dad during this lifelong journey.

---

Goals:
1) 0 / $25,000 student debt
2) $2,027.27 / $15,000 house down payment
3) 0 / $8,693 breakeven in MTTs

Slight change in Oct results. Some ignition hands weren't downloaded yet so here's the updated total:



Day off grinding today. Finished looking over my stats this morning. One huge positional area that needs improvement ASAP -- probably not hard to guess lol. Only chose two topics to focus on and alternating between them every week this month.

I had to go to the ER last month for hives all over my body. First time I ever got it. On the day they showed up it was whatever, I took some diphenhydramine and famotidine to help bring the redness/itchiness down. Figured it'd go away on its own. 4AM the next day it got worse progressing up my neck and my ears started swelling. Didn't want to take the chance and have my throat / tongue / eyes swell up.

The bill came in today and it was $1.1k for the doc to prescribe me steroids. I have insurance, with a high deductible. Going to risk shortness of breath next time and wait for urgent care to open up for 1/3 of the cost. Another one of many broken systems in the US.

Goals:
1) 0 / $25,000 student debt
2) $2,135.58 / $15,000 house down payment
3) 0 / $8,693 breakeven in MTTs

---

Some of the biggest hands of October:

1) I got owned with that flop peel

Poker Stars, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $100.50 (100.5 bb)
Hero (BB): $105.60 (105.6 bb)
CO: $56.96 (57 bb)
BTN: $123.16 (123.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 5 4
CO folds, BTN raises to $3, SB folds, Hero raises to $12.20, BTN calls $9.20

Flop: ($24.90) T Q 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $7.81, BTN calls $7.81

Turn: ($40.52) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $19.25, Hero raises to $85.59 and is all-in, BTN calls $66.34

River: ($211.70) 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: $211.70 pot ($3.00 rake)
Final Board: T Q 3 2 7
Hero showed 5 4 and lost (-$105.60 net)
BTN showed 2 2 and won $208.70 ($103.10 net)


2) Street poker FU call and got (correctly?) punished

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $105.99 (106 bb)
BB: $114.53 (114.5 bb)
UTG: $124.74 (124.7 bb)
MP: $41.36 (41.4 bb)
CO: $219.55 (219.6 bb)
BTN: $109.16 (109.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A Q
UTG folds, MP calls $1, CO raises to $4.50, BTN folds, Hero raises to $16, 2 folds, CO calls $11.50

Flop: ($34) 7 8 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $11, CO calls $11

Turn: ($56) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $140, Hero calls $78.99 and is all-in

River: ($213.98) T (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: $213.98 pot ($3 rake)
Final Board: 7 8 4 5 T
Hero showed A Q and lost (-$105.99 net)
CO showed K T and won $210.98 ($104.99 net)


3) IIRC, he snapped Pop reads failed here

Poker Stars, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $99 (99 bb)
Hero (BB): $142.52 (142.5 bb)
UTG: $97.61 (97.6 bb)
MP: $134.43 (134.4 bb)
CO: $100 (100 bb)
BTN: $136.49 (136.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A 2
3 folds, BTN raises to $2.50, SB folds, Hero raises to $11, BTN calls $8.50

Flop: ($22.50) 3 Q 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $7.06, BTN calls $7.06

Turn: ($36.62) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $24.09, BTN calls $24.09

River: ($84.80) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $100.37 and is all-in, BTN calls $94.34 and is all-in

Results: $273.48 pot ($4 rake)
Final Board: 3 Q 5 9 9
Hero showed A 2 and lost (-$136.49 net)
BTN showed 5 A and won $269.48 ($132.99 net)

Your better off looking for side jobs or other alternatives if your trying to make extra money on the side to pay off debts. POker is definitely alot tougher in 2020. Amount of time spent in studying and actually translating it to success takes way to long to realize.
gl on your endeavors

I agree poker is tougher, but there isn't much else to do to make $ in terms of my passion. A side job will feel just like that, a job. That said, I do think there is still plenty of $ left to be made on the online felt. Appreciate the input regardless!

---

First week of November went well. Studied everyday and really checked off the boxes of everything I wanted to do.

Second week, routine kinda fell off the rails. Went to Petco Park for an event on Sunday morning where they set up a mini 9 hole course, link you up with a caddie, and they take you all around the ball park to tee off at different locations. Walking by the clubhouse and through the dugout where the players hang out is a really awesome experience, something I think I'll do yearly. Drank a bit more than anticipated and couldn't manage to put together a session at all when I got back home. Great to be out before they locked everything down again though.



The rest of the week was just tiresome from work. Sessions were forced, no quality studying was done, and a few stacks were punted. Just one of those weeks where everything felt off.

I made up for it today by waking up at 5am, studied for 3 hours, put in a couple sessions before calling it quits due to Ignition lag. It was actually kind of nice not being distracted with the baby sleeping until 9am or so. I'll probably consider doing this more often going forward.

Probably losing a few BIs for the month after the terrible 2nd week. Not gonna check results until the end of the month, it'll likely tilt me anyway.

Looking to turn it around 2nd half of November!

This is total BS. I'm a fellow part time weekend warrior. Poker can still be very lucrative if you're smart about site/game selection. You do not need hours on solvers for <=200NL.

It can certainly add plenty of extra money as a side hustle. Lot's of players say it's a lot tougher, IMO as an excuse why they can't beat the games. Also serves as a great competitive outlet.

What im stating is not a cop out, but a true assesment of the current state of poker. Idk anything about american sites, but the enviornment that i grind in 100nl-500nl, its tougher than 10 years ago when i started. ive transitioned from the age of flopzilla to Piosolvers, and know the grits needed to achieve in todays environment. Also i usually dont comment, but also as a newly father, i wanted to give david my perspective on things, since his future decisions is also going to affect his childrens for the better or worse. maybe ive overextended my boundaries on a public forums but just wanted to give my .02. If opinions not taken, then ill just stop posting.

I agree with this. I'll never be the best at nosebleeds cause there will always be sickos who have more time off the felt to hit the lab as much as they want. However, I still feel like playing part-time and putting the hours I do in studying.. it's probably more than some full time players. Competitive outlet is huge for me as well. Feels nice when you study a spot that's printing money and execute it at will.

This is also true. Although, I feel like I have an edge over my pool. A lot of the regs repeatedly misapply concepts it's mind boggling - it's like c'mon man.

Congrats dude! My babygirl just turned 5 months and she slept 8-9 hours straight the past 3 nights!

Not at all, all opinions welcome as long as we have healthy disagreements. Where's the fun in everyone being yes-men with each other?

--

I got invited to play a local home game on an app. It was wild. $2/$4 game with a $8 straddle a decent amount of time. I had about $800 in Venmo so I said screw it and put in $400 to play. Came up a nice chunk.. unsure if I should include that in the overall results of the goal. But I'll post some juicy HH later.

Interesting discussion thus far. Poker's certainly gotten much tougher and will continue down this trend, however I'd have to agree that there's still lots of money being left on the tables. It's both profitable and very possible to beat lowstakes for a good clip while playing part-time. So long as there's interest in the game(site integrity, cheating prevention, reasonable rake, effort put forth for marketing to attract new players), there will always be big edges. Also I suspect most of the volume will be played on off-work hours for OP, which are when games are generally good. And it's way better to play poker(something OP enjoys) than pursuing a hobby you have but is more lucrative.

Where do you currently live?

Good luck

Good luck man I hope you reach your goals. Games on bovada are great I play PLO 100 there just so juicy

Yup, I'd say 70% of my volume is from the weekends.

San Diego. Thanks!

Appreciate it man! I've thought about learning a little PLO some time in the future. I imagine there are still a decent amount of whales in those games. Any advice on which courses are good? Upswing vs. JNandez vs something else? How much more of a cushion do you consider in terms of BRM from the higher variance compared to NLH?

November Results: +1632.00





Untracked (Global): +656

--

Volume was down a bit for November due to working more hours than scheduled this past month. One of my co-workers contracted Covid, and my other staff pharmacist's spouse tested positive as well. She called off for precautionary reasons after testing negative although had a fever and shortness of breath. Even with the low volume, we were pretty solid in terms of studying.. clocking in a minimum of 5 hours per week. Redline for Ignition wasn't the best for most of the month, which tells me I was auto-piloting a bit too much and definitely not playing my A-game.

Coincidentally, I was listening to a podcast with Elliot Roe and he was talking about barriers to reaching your full potential and success. A lot of his points really hit home for me at this point in time, particularly with how there is a social dynamic shift as you progress and it may subconsciously prevent you from succeeding. Anyway, it was enough for me to buy his RIO A-game course during the Black Friday sale for $500. Really looking forward to go through it.

Haven't gone too far into "The Conscious Parent" book yet, but my goal was to finish the book by the time my baby girl turns six months - that's next week and looking to finish it by then.

I spent a lot of time going to the range this past week. I've been saving up all year for some new golf clubs. I had an appointment to get a golf club fitting today. Ultimately, I canceled because my golf swing was straight ass earlier in the week, and all the reviews I went through recommended that your swing should be in relatively prime form during a fitting. Another factor was cost. These things aren't cheap, so I didn't want to have a bad case of buyers remorse when all was said and done. Funnily enough, my swing started coming together after I cancelled. I'll probably re-book a fitting later this month at a place more affordable.

Deposited onto Global Poker and did pretty decent there. Overall game has been going well so I may start incorporating 200nl into the grind, but I am definitely staying away from zone poker... something about it just doesn't sit well with me. Also decided to refrain from including the app game results since the stakes there are pretty volatile, so it wouldn't be a fair representation of the results for this challenge. Here's a couple HH of the biggest pots I played on there though.

--

Both 2/4 games


1) 7-handed. Never thought I'd see this combo

Hero SB: KJ100bb eff

Preflop: EP raises $12, one fold, 3 limps, Hero calls, BB squeezes to $48. Everyone calls.

Flop ($288): K 43

Hero checks, BB checks. EP bets $12. MP, CO, BU calls. Hero raises to $148. 4 folds. BU calls.

Turn ($620): 3

Hero shoves $204, BU calls

River ($1028): Q

BU shows 3 5 and wins $1028


2) 9-handed ACTION!!

Hero BB: ATo 131bb eff

Preflop: EP straddles to $8, 3 folds, MP calls, CO calls, SB calls, Hero calls.

Flop ($40): AT 9

SB bets $44, Hero calls, EP raises to $88, MP calls, SB calls, Hero shoves $517, EP folds, MP calls, SB folds

Turn ($1251): 5

River ($1251): K

MP shows K Q

Hero wins $1251

--

Goals:
1) 0 / $25,000 student debt
2) $3659.27 / $15,000 house down payment
3) 0 / $8,693 breakeven in MTTs

Global: ~ -$500

--

Pretty brutal first week and a half to start with, lost roughly 8BI.. mainly on Global - which if I had the HH would even out that EV line I'm sure . Managed to bring it back to about even for the month on Ign/WPN the past few days.

Didn't touch on all the topics I wanted to study on last week, but I did put in some time on A-game everyday. Loving it so far. The more I go through the course, the more I get the feeling that a lot of the barriers that are preventing me from truly succeeding are IRL stuff. It's all connected. Ultimately, it really is on you to succeed. If you're not at peace with yourself, then you won't be on the online felt either. There was one thing I disagreed with Elliot Roe on though, he says to not set monetary goals but we are going to stick with this thing that we started . Going to play catch up on the study topics I missed out on in the coming week.

Haven't finished the Conscious Parenting book yet either. I don't read as fast as I used to, ha. Only on page 50/~250. I find this book has a lot of overlap with the mental game, but you just apply it to parenting. Many parents have certain expectations on who they want their kids to be growing up. This provides resistance throughout their childhood which can reach a breaking point and lead to strained relationships. Overall message so far is that you don't 'own' your kid, let go of your ego and allow them to lead youin this lifelong journey and support them in being who they are meant to be.

--

1) Thank you for all the moniez 44.. oh, wait

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $100.50 (100.5 bb)
BB: $125.14 (125.1 bb)
UTG: $178.33 (178.3 bb)
Hero (MP): $100 (100 bb)
CO: $194.75 (194.8 bb)
BTN: $129.61 (129.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with 8 8
UTG folds, Hero raises to $2.25, CO calls $2.25, 3 folds

Flop: ($6) 8 K 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, CO raises to $7.50, Hero calls $5.50

Turn: ($21) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $16.75, Hero calls $16.75

River: ($54.50) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $40.87, Hero raises to $73.50 and is all-in, CO calls $32.63

Results: $201.50 pot ($3 rake)
Final Board: 8 K 4 2 2
Hero showed 8 8 and lost (-$100 net)
CO showed K K and won $198.50 ($98.50 net)



2) Quadssss

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $182.58 (182.6 bb)
BB: $129.82 (129.8 bb)
UTG: $40 (40 bb)
MP: $94.33 (94.3 bb)
CO: $101.50 (101.5 bb)
BTN: $100 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q Q
UTG folds, MP raises to $2.50, 2 folds, Hero raises to $11.50, BB raises to $26, MP folds, Hero calls $14.50

Flop: ($54.50) 2 2 Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $26.41, Hero calls $26.41

Turn: ($107.32) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

River: ($107.32) J (2 players)
Hero bets $31.33, BB calls $31.33

Results: $169.98 pot ($3.00 rake)
Final Board: 2 2 Q Q J
Hero showed Q Q and won $166.98 ($83.24 net)
BB showed K K and lost (-$83.74 net)



3) Unsure if disciplined fold or nit

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $135.55 (135.6 bb)
BB: $192.72 (192.7 bb)
Hero (MP): $101.50 (101.5 bb)
CO: $292.85 (292.9 bb)
BTN: $153.10 (153.1 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with A J
Hero raises to $2.25, 3 folds, BB calls $1.25

Flop: ($5) T K J (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.75, BB calls $1.75

Turn: ($8.50) J (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $6.37, BB calls $6.37

River: ($21.24) 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $17.43, BB raises to $182.35 and is all-in, Hero folds

Results: $56.10 pot ($2.80 rake)
Final Board: T K J J 7
BB mucked and won $53.30 ($25.50 net)
Hero mucked A J and lost (-$27.80 net)



4) No discipline vs reg

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $191.53 (191.5 bb)
BB: $100 (100 bb)
MP: $106.08 (106.1 bb)
CO: $134.80 (134.8 bb)
BTN: $92.48 (92.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q Q
3 folds, Hero raises to $3, BB calls $2

Flop: ($6) 3 Q A (2 players)
Hero bets $2, BB calls $2

Turn: ($10) 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $12, BB calls $12

River: ($34) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $19.40, Hero calls $19.40

Results: $72.80 pot ($3 rake)
Final Board: 3 Q A 4 5
Hero showed Q Q and lost (-$36.40 net)
BB showed T 2 and won $69.80 ($33.40 net)

Not much to update on. Just a meh kinda week in all areas - worked a bit more to my liking so the fatigue really affected poker, study, motivation, and of course work itself.

I did get fitted into these sexy golf clubs though...

Went from a regular flex to a stiff shaft... increased my swing speed by about 5mph, decreased spin by about 1k rpm, total distance gained about 13 yds. A little less forgiveness but more playability for shot shaping. My previous clubs had huge cavity backs, so very forgiving in that even mishits were decent shots. Then on some balls that I pured they would be fliers, so I was looking for something a little more consistent in dispersion.

Told the fitter that I'm around a 19 handicap. He was surprised saying my swing suggested otherwise. Nice compliment I guess.. losing some strokes off the tee with my driver being regular flex, but short game def contributes to it as well. Going to look for a driver and 3-wood next and won't purchase anymore clubs for the rest of my life.

--

1) Vs unknown aggro reg, unsure about this one. Really checked all the boxes but call felt meh

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $236.91 (236.9 bb)
BB: $100 (100 bb)
UTG: $157.29 (157.3 bb)
MP: $98.50 (98.5 bb)
Hero (CO): $100 (100 bb)
BTN: $178.12 (178.1 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 9 9
2 folds, Hero raises to $2.50, BTN folds, SB raises to $8, BB folds, Hero calls $5.50

Flop: ($17) 2 T 8 (2 players)
SB bets $12.75, Hero calls $12.75

Turn: ($42.50) 3 (2 players)
SB bets $31.87, Hero calls $31.87

River: ($106.24) 4 (2 players)
SB bets $106.24, Hero calls $47.38 and is all-in

Results: $201.00 pot ($3 rake)
Final Board: 2 T 8 3 4
SB showed A T and won $198.00 ($98 net)
Hero showed 9 9 and lost (-$100 net)

2) Felt thin. Open MP, BU cc, XR/B/AI


3) Vs reg. Could do a lot of different things here depending on villain..

WPN, $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $208.14 (208.1 bb)
Hero (BB): $147.50 (147.5 bb)
CO: $168.05 (168.1 bb)
BTN: $141.80 (141.8 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K A
CO folds, BTN raises to $2.50, SB folds, Hero raises to $11, BTN calls $8.50

Flop: ($22.50) Q 8 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $11.25, BTN calls $11.25

Turn: ($45) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $28.75, BTN calls $28.75

River: ($102.50) K (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $90.80 and is all-in, Hero folds

Results: $102.50 pot ($2 rake)
Final Board: Q 8 5 Q K
Hero mucked K A and lost (-$51 net)
BTN mucked and won $100.50 ($49.50 net)

--

Hoping for a strong bounce back mentally, physically, and on the tables in the finals days of 2020.

Gl all!

Following - GL GL! It’s interesting how much “let go of your ego” translates to poker, parenting, career growth, etc etc.

I also played to save money for a down payment a while back. Probably something you already considered, but the only thing I wish I did differently at the time was build in more of a cushion for my poker bankroll after the down payment so I could continue playing the stakes I was at. Having to drop down in stakes made poker feel like that dreaded second job afterwards.

Good luck with the poker mate.

You've gone for Mizuno forged, only the good stuff eh.
One very important tip for any golfer, is to make sure you start your backswing with rotating your shoulders first and let the arms and hands follow/ not hands first as this can cause you to tilt instead of just rotating. Great game golf, exercise, fresh air what else do you need!

Good luck mate!
My 2 cents here, minimize your other hobby -ie: golf- and divide that additional time between your family and poker.
Otherwise you might get in trouble with the missus for having too much "me" time.

About the money to be made in online poker...
The main feeder of poker is the bottom of the bottom which is 2NL.
And from my current run there after a 2 year break, I can safely say that games are softer at least at 2NL compared to 2 years ago.

Thanks for the follow!

Yeah that is something I've thought about. Not entirely sure how I'll go about it yet, but once I hit the goal I won't cash out all at once for sure. Probably in increments and keep a sizeable BR for whatever stake I'm at, at the time.

Appreciate it dude. "Nothing feels like a Mizuno," held true to me. It was really apparent during my fitting because the fitter was just putting on heads at different times, and I was hitting away blindly without knowing what brand it was. When I pured the an iron sooo good I couldn't help but take a look at the bottom of the club to discover that it was indeed what I thought it was.

Thanks man! My family is #1 priority right now, but I'm lucky enough to have a loving and supporting wife. She really encourages me to go out when I can and didn't even flinch when I said I was buying new clubs. When I pulled the trigger I was reluctant to tell her the co$t, but she guesstimated $5k and said she didn't mind, that I work hard and deserved it (it was no where near that much). Definitely going to get her something nice for her bday coming up.

Dude you are new to this marriage business aren't you

Everything you do now are being recorded by the wifegraph and can and will be used against you in a future argument where you will have forgotten what you had eaten for breakfast the day before but she will be remembering on what date and times you went off to the course!

Just sayin'