Why a PGC thread? You probably don't need another "Oh Look At Me" thread. You can find a lot of hand histories out there.. There are lots of people talking about the "journey". Well, maybe I can bring a different perspective and a little different view than you have seen before. Maybe. Maybe this will be boring with little to offer and the worst thread ever... We will see

I am almost 50 years old. I have always enjoyed poker. My dad hosted a weekly home games while I was growing up. I sat down for hours watching the crusty old dudes. It was like a coming of age party when I was old enough to sit at the table and play. Signed up for my first online poker account in 2009 and fell in love with poker tournaments, I love the journey to the finish. Never a large buy-in guy but had over 5k in profit before Black Friday. The dream was ignited and was trying figure out how to make my living playing poker. Plans quickly changed after Black Friday. I had several business ventures trying to figure out what i want to do when I grow up. Occasionally playing online and live tournaments

Spent the last couple years driving around the country delivering freight in a cargo van. This year, I have played a lot of live tournaments with pretty good results. I played tournaments in about 20 different casinos around the country and was able to supplement my driving income. These, for the most part were not big WSOP or WPT events but were your average (very soft) scheduled tournaments with entries in the $50 to $125 range. Drove around the country listening to hours and hours of poker videos and played whenever I got a chance. The poker dream began to re-ignite.

About 3 months ago, I came off the road and began dispatching other trucks from home. About that time, I discovered ACR and got very excited, I could finally play a tournament whenever I wanted again, almost cried. Deposited $25 and built my bankroll up to $2300 then crashed it. Built it back up to $1200 and crashed it again. I recently installed HEM again and it is proving a great tool in analyzing hands and finding and plugging leaks etc. Playing micro stakes and dispatching trucks trying to learn all I can. The truth is I feel cooped up and am really missing being on the road.

So what is next? Well, my desire is to get back on the road, play a mix of online and live tournaments, study, talk with others and become a very profitable tournament player. Then, transition out of commercial driving and into a playing tournaments full time. I need prolonged success and a healthy bankroll before that happens. Basically starting at zero with a dream and about 9500 tournaments and a lot of study under my belt.

Oh, we may talk about other things too like losing weight (Need to drop about 40 lbs), quitting smoking (currently on Chantex), relationship issues, my faith in Jesus Christ and maybe even post some successful hunting and fishing pictures while out and about. Will post daily results and bankroll progress and maybe a few VLOG entries.

Well, most will think it is pie in the sky, thinking you could just play a game you love and make a good living doing it. Many have and many have failed. I was looking on Hendon and the top 1000 tournament players have over $1,600,000 in career tournament earnings. Not the top 2 or 3, not the top 25 or top 100. THE TOP ONE THOUSAND. A big chunk of those have logged their first ranked tournament win within the last 5 years. So if a 1000 other people have accomplished what I want to accomplish, it is a done deal. I will get there. It may take a while with lots of bump and bruises but i will get there. As I do, gonna help others do the same thing. You know, that whole sowing an reaping thing.

Well, it looks like I will be back on the road Thanksgiving week and running hard until Christmas. That will give me a solid month out there and hopefully with some good live tournament poker results too.

Been going through my hand histories and taking an honest look. I really have been playing terrible. Sooo many mistakes. I did great when playing live this year but almost 3 months and 1000 tournaments online and I am basically playing break even poker. Think I have developed some bad habits and became a button pusher instead of a poker player at times. Yeah, ITM percentage is still around 30% but a lot of min cashes with multiple re-entry loses money.

So going to continue dispatching trucks for another 10 days to 2 weeks, playing and studying as much as possible. I expect better results from my play. Will take a break for a couple days next week as Deer Season begins and am getting excited about that already.

Stay awesome, will post some poker results soon.

I will officially be back on the road as of Monday 11/27. Pretty excited to get moving.

I am not sure how much live tournament action I will see next week, will keep you posted. I will be able to budget somewhere between $100 to $150 a week for live poker. That will be seed money until a bankroll is established. Will be playing on ACR as well. Have played so many micro tournaments, that I decided to change some things up. Basically, just using my online play as "study time" Going to break up my play time into three areas. MTT's, STT's and Cash. Most all of my study and play has been for tournaments. I think adding cash games will help me balance things out. Currently showing a small profit after 5300 hands. I have $53.00 in my ACR account as of today and will be playing .01/.02 6max and HU, $1.65 STT's and MTT's under $2 until the BR grows a bit.

Has anyone purchased any of the courses from Upswing? Have been thinking about purchasing the Tournament Master Class. Any input?

Ok, well I will update you next week where I am. I will also post my own personal review of each poker room played in as we go. Will post a thought about each tournament played along with results and live and online BR progress.

Happy Thanksgiving and Be Blessed!

The journey begins... Needed to get down to Birmingham, AL to pick up my truck. So with my genius decision making ability I decided to jump a Greyhound in Ann Arbor, MI on Sunday. The cheapest option sure, but 21 hours later my warp speed mind concluded was probably not the best option.

Arrived in Birmingham and picked up my truck, drove to Huntsville to pick up a shipment going to McGregor, TX. Delivered this morning and currently sitting in Waco, waiting for my next load.

Not really up on the backroom poker scene in Texas. The only casino that I know about is down in Eagle Pass. the room sucks, the buffet is the worse I have seen in the country and it is just too far to drive at this point. Will play a bit on ACR this evening if I don't get a load out of here.

Subbed! Good luck sir! I am currently doing a challenge myself and I think it's inspiring to see people from all ages pursuing their dreams no matter what..

About Upswing content, I've been staked by a friend who gave me access to the lab (I'm a cash game player) and I have to say it's completely worth it. The value they offer for 6max is very good, for tournaments I can't really comment but I would guess it's at least as good.

There has been a lot going on, sadly, very little to do with poker. Last posted last Tuesday when I got into Texas. Wednesday I was in Missouri, Thursday in Illinois, Friday Michigan, Officiated a wedding then Monday I delivered in Fort Lauderdale Fl. If I don't get a load out of Florida today, I will finally get to play. There is a $60 buy in with a 12K guaranteed tonight at the Isle in Pompano Beach. I use PokerAtlas and Bravo Poker Live to look for Poker Rooms and Tournaments when out and about.

Well, sitting in Springdale Arkansas waiting for my next load. Never got to play while in Florida, got a load out. Did drive up to Wyandotte, Ok and played a $50 buy-in at the Indigo Sky Casino last night, first time there. Played well I think even though I didn't cash. Blinds were growing fast my KQ suited fell to A10 off, which left me 3BB. Exited tourney next hand when I pushed all in with A10 off and got called by both the small and big blinds. Only 18 entrants, top 2 got paid. Nice little poker room, combined with the Horse Wagering section. Average age of the tournament players had to be 65+. Maybe one other guy younger then me. It felt good to get back to sitting at a table instead of staring at my computer screen or out my windshield.

If no load today will probable head to Tulsa for some weekend tournaments

Live Long and Prosper Ya'll (been in the south a lot lately)

Woke up yesterday in Springdale, AR. It was 14 degrees outside. It was colder than it was in Northern Michigan. In the afternoon, i got a load going to Kissimmee, Fl. I was so excited to be heading somewhere warm. Figured i would head to Biloxi, MS and wake up on the ocean in warm weather and maybe play a tournament. NOT, NOPE didn't happen. Checked the weather forecast and they were expecting snow! Really? Then, I broke out my Total Rewards app and discovered I could a a free room at either Tunica or Biloxi, shorter drive so here i am at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica about to head back out on the road and continue on to Florida.

The plan was to play either here or at Hollywood Casino but I made the mistake last night of firing up the laptop and played a couple small tourney's on ACi that were in Late registration. Played a $3.30/1k guaranteed that I took 13th of 634 for $19.97 nd a $2.20/$500 guaranteed and took 6th of 363 for $28.31. So I didn't get to sleep until 6am and now, have to check out.

I will let you know where I end up tomorrow. Heading to warmer weather

Well, woke up on Ocala, FL this morning to a toasty 29 degrees... Driving through western GA into Atlanta was crazy. Not use to seeing snow on the ground on I-20. Trees down all over the place with the weight from the snow. Felt like I was back home in Michigan except I was surrounded by drivers that had absolutely no clue how to drive on slick roads. That was the scariest part. Cars in the ditch all over the place.

Delivered this morning near Mickey's House and it got up to 60 degrees. It is only suppose to get down into the 40's tonight and up around 70 tomorrow. Very excited about that.

No load today, slept most of the day. Been sitting at a Denny's for the last 4 hours playing some micro's tourneys on ACR and reading a lot on here. Should be rolling tomorrow. Hoping to run hard until Christmas.

Freight is usually a lot slower for January, February and March. Should have plenty of time to play some live tournaments. Really want to spend time at Choctaw in January for the WSOP Circuit. I know I will do well in those events just have to see what the bankroll is like heading into it.

Cashed in 3 of 4 on ACR tonight.

Love Much

Well sitting in eastern Tennessee, didn't get a load out today. Thought about going to Harrah's Cherokee to play but it was a couple hour drive into a worse area for freight. So, I am looking forward to this weekend and will get a couple live tournaments in for sure, somewhere.

Been reading a lot and driving for hours and hours with poker strategy in my ears. I feel like I am becoming a better player even though I am not playing a lot right at the moment.

I get so excited looking ahead to when I can grind tournaments full time and not have to depend on driving for a living. It is what it is, for now.

May Your Hole Cards Flop Well

Merry Christmas All!

I started this hoping to post a lot of poker results. Instead, I have driven a lot of miles and played very little. Now, I doubt there is anyone on Planet Earth that has consumed more poker content then my self in the last 4 weeks. My main priority was to pay some bills and generate income and going into 2018. Mission accomplished and it is time to rock. Have some pretty big goals outlined and basic strategy in place. Will define some of the goals in my next post.

There really is a lot think think about and plan out. Pre-flop ranges early, middle and late positions. How does that change early tournament with lots of BB's, Later in the 20 to 30BB range, short stacked, bubble play, final table? What stage do you start considering ICM implications vs. EV. 3-bet ranges in each position, 4-bet & 4 bet shoves. Not to mention planning ahead for the flop, turn and river. Action and reaction to my opponents ranges. Table image, bet sizing, opponents tells, my tells and reads. The right mix of GTO vs Exploitative. I believe, I have a better handle on my strategy now then I ever have in the past. I believe my 2018 results will prove that to be true.

Well, I am back home for a few days to enjoy some time with the family. I pray that you and your family will experience peace, joy, love and much success in the year ahead.

Ready to Launch...

Been thinking and praying a lot about why I want to be a fulltime tournament grinder. Why? There are a lot of things I could do that are appear to others as more respectable, more consistent and maybe more profitable. Why this? Is it ego, pride or greed? Maybe some of that. When it comes right down to it, I love the game. Many will think this is weird, but I was listening to very successful business man speaking at a commencement ceremony and he said "Finding something that you love doing is one of the keys of success". That man just happens to be the President of the United States, speaking at Liberty University. It was after pondering that, my failed business ventures and looking at how I want to live my life and what I want to accomplish going forward, that I looked at my love of Poker Tournaments as an answer. The next question is how and what do I expect along the way.

Going through my numbers for live tournaments in 2017, I made $70 in profit for every $80 tournament entry as an average. Will that continue or is 60 tournaments this year too small of a sample of a sample to really budget or plan? I honestly think I will do much better than that this year but time will tell.

My plan is to play 60 live tournaments over the next 4 months or about 4 tournament a week while driving. By May I should be able to play full-time, quit driving and will get a rental in Vegas through the WSOP. The month of May will be all about preparing for a WSOP summer grind. I expect a great summer but if my results are not good, I know I can always go back to the low buy-in scheduled daily tournaments and grind out a living.

MAPGA - Make American Poker Great Again

Best of luck.

Life is crazy. Picked up a load in Hidalgo, TX on Friday that delivers in South Carolina on Monday morning. So I drove to Biloxi, MS to get in some poker, finally.

Went to the Golden Nugget for a 2pm tournament. $60 Buy-in, $20 In a dealer add-on, $25 add-on at first break. 44 Entries, Got down to 6 handed and I was the overwhelming chip leader by about 3 to 1. Agreed to a chop, I got $600 and the other 5 each got $403. I really didn't want to chop but with blinds as big as they were, a couple bad hands and I could have been next out. What are your thought on chopping?

Then, I went to Beau Rivage, they are hosting their Million Dollar Heater series, They have a nightly $135 buy-in that I jumped into. 69 Entries, I took 5th for $469. It is rough, this one had $2400 up top and ending 5th was a bummer. Of course, when I am fighting on the short stack, there is that 1 guy that didn't want to chop.

All in all, a profitable and long day playing poker. More to come

Got a 2200 mile load on Thursday that delivers Monday morning in California. Lots of extra time on this load so I got a chance to play a few tournaments at the Horseshoe in Tunica,MS. An ice storm was in the forecast, so I stayed Thursday night and played one tournament on Thursday and two on Friday.

Thursday 7pm tournament $60 with $10 of that going towards a bounty, 21 entries, Paid top 3. I had a blast playing this one, seemed to hit just about everything. Ended up as the dominate chip leader, going into the final table and proceeded to take out 5 people in a row. Ended up cashing in 9 bounties. Got down to 3 handed, blinds were huge and the chip stacks leveled out a little, decided on a 3 way chop and got $225 each (after each paying $10 to the bubble)

Friday Noon Tournament was $60 with $1200 Guaranteed, 28 entries. I just played really bad in this one and didn't cash.

Friday 7pm Tournament was a $25 Rebuy, $20 rebuys and Add-on, 45 entries. Oh boy... Sat down and immediately got $20 rebuy, play like crap $40 double rebuy, repeat, did well and did a double add on right before 2nd break, ($165 in total) had a good stack after the add-on break and was looking to do well. First hand...UTG raises, short stack between us goes all in (less than the original raise) raiser was a guy I have played the previous 2 tournaments with, talked to a bit on breaks and he was a solid Tight/Aggressive player. I look down at AK spades, I had him covered by about 3BB, tank a bit and push, he calls and lose vs. his QQ, and was out a few hands later.

Might be able to get one more tournament in this weekend, have a volume goal and a little behind on that

Summary 2018
5 Tournaments, 3 cashes, $1384 total wins, $809 net profit (counting bubble payments and tips) Average Buy-in/fees $105, Average Profit per Tournament $161.
6500 miles driven

Rock On Brothers and Sisters

Go go go

Delivered in California, took the van in for service (3 1/2 hours of amazing wait time) headed to the truckstop and got some sleep. No load today so I found a "Casino" in Lodi California that was having a tournament. $45 buy in, single $20 rebuy and $20 add-on.

The place was interesting. Maybe 15 table games, no slots and a 5 table poker room. They did have a decent looking restaurant, but didn't try it. Had to be 35ish players in the tournament. Got 3000 chips to start, 3000 rebuy chips, 3000 add-on chips and started out with blinds at 100/200, 15 minute levels and they moved fast, coming back from 1st break, blinds were already at 500/1000 with 100 ante. Luckily, the 30 minutes prior to first break, ran hot and had fish dinner building my stack up to 70k and was the chip leader. Not much happened the next hour except my opponents got bigger stacks and I stayed pretty much the same. Doubled up a couple strong players and took out some short stacks.

We got to the final table, was still the chip leader but barely. Tournament paid 5 places. Now, usually I understand working out a deal paying the bubble boy back his fees, that is cool. It seems at this casino when they get to a final table, they work it out, that places 6 to 10 all got $50 from the prize pool. It made no sense to me and was the only person at the table that didn't agree. All the locals were upset, I had them run the numbers and drug my feet, got down to 9 handed then I caved and agreed to pay 6 thru 9 the $50. Right after that, one of the guys I double up earlier was on my right. I had the button and he raised to like 10k. I look down and AQ suited and push all in. Blinds fold and guy next to me calls with QQ. I lose that hand am now sitting with a below average chip stack. Hang in there for a bit, a few others get eliminated. Blinds are now 10,000/20,000 and finish the tournament in 6th, got my $50. Not sure if I can count that as a cash being down $35 or not.

Depending on how freight is moving, I may get to play a couple more tournaments tomorrow. Will keep ya posted

Stay Awesome

Sitting in California waiting on a load. My main dispatcher is almost done for the day and it is about time to look for a tournament. Lot's of poker rooms in the Bay Area. Finding a good structure is the issue. Will update later on that.

Really deciding what I should do if I don't get a load today.

Option 1 - Head to to LA where there is a lot more freight and get a load east.

Option 2 - Head to Vegas and take a week playing tournaments.

Now, I know what I want to do but am not sure it is what I should do. Bills don't stop and the wife expects cash weekly. Though I would expect a profitable Vegas trip, variance exists.

LOL, weird, just type the last paragraph and my dispatcher calls and tells me she has a load for me picking up in Fresno tonight and delivering in Las Vegas tomorrow morning. Decision made! Well, gotta book a room, take a nap and I will update with the Vegas Report tomorrow! Just got really excited.

Ouch....

Well not so good in Vegas so far. Played 3 tournaments yesterday at Planet Hollywood yesterday. $80 each with two extra bullets for a total of $400. Two of the 3 were within a couple of the money. Made a huge mistake of sitting a tournament after driving all night with no sleep, just basically donated $160 to the good people playing there.

Today I played at the Golden Nugget and ran good, until I ran top boat in quads. What do you do? Fire another bullet, that's what! 2 hands later my middle set fell to top set.

So, just burned through $540 and other than my first tournament yesterday played pretty well. I know variance is huge in these daily tournaments but with a run like this at this time is pretty brutal.

Well, I am choosing this as a career, it comes with the journey I guess. There is always tomorrow. Someday, this will be an awesome story but today, it hurts a bit.

2018 Summary:
10 Tournaments
4 Cashes
$234 Net Profit

After my last post, I got a load offer from Vegas to Kansas City to Dallas. I have been sitting in Dallas for the last couple days thinking, praying, analyzing and planning. Really feel I need to get out of the van soon. The lifestyle is just not good for my health. The crazy sleep schedule, bad diet, very little exercise is just not good for a guy a couple days away from 50. At least with full time poker I can schedule life a little.

Basically, I know I am profitable playing these small buy-in live daily tournaments. It is great for subsidizing my income but is not enough by itself to support the blonde at home. Adding a cash game grind to the tournaments can probably get me there until I can handle larger tournament buy-ins. I can either look into backing/coaching/ staking to speed things along or just keep following my plan, knowing I will get there. Not sure, research in progress.

As for right now, I need to be in Michigan by the weekend so I am going to get a little closer tonight. Plan on being in Tunica tomorrow in time for the 9am $65 Satty into the WSOPC Monster Stack. Wish me luck

Arrived in Tunica on Wednesday in time to play the $65 Satellite into the WSOPC $365 Monster Stack. Didn't cash. Played the $135 Daily, fired a second bullet, didn't cash. Played two $125 Single Table Satellites, didn't cash. $585 gone today.

Variance is awesome! 11 Losses and a $1385 downswing. My largest downswing last year was 7 tournaments. Wasn't expecting to start out the year this way, now down on the year. Not gonna lie, makes me question a lot. Question the plan, question my ability and on and on....

Leave Tunica and heading home. Get outside Chicago and decide to wait and see if my dispatcher can snag me a load heading into Michigan. She gets me a load picking up on Friday delivering less than 2 hours from the house. So I have time to kill on Thursday evening, which just happens to be my 50th Birthday, what should I do?

Arrive at Harrah's in Joliet, IL and play their $125, 3K Guarantee. ($140 after dealer add on) There were about 35 entries, top 5 get paid. Was the chip leader after the bubble broke other guys were talking deal, wasn't interested. I double up the 2 short stacks in back to back hands and I am now the short stack. Blinds are getting crazy and 5th place only pays $170, yep a deal now sounds awesome! Me and the two guys I doubled up, each walk out with $560 and the two bigger stacks with a bit more. It is strange how booking a small win totally changes your entire outlook. Happy Birthday to me.

Back home and going to relax a bit.

2018 Summary
15 Tournaments
5 Cashes
$69 Net Profit

Got one additional tournament in at Hollywood Toledo. $60 buy in, 2 bullets, exited one before the bubble.

Hit my volume goal of 16 tournaments
5 Cashes 31% ITM
$51 Net Loss
$1995 in Tournament entries, add-ons, re-entries
$124.68 average cost per tournament
7 Different Casinos, 5 Different States, Over 10,000 miles driven.

I look at the results and am not all that concerned. I know profitability will come and variance will do it's thing. New day, new month and lots of poker to play.

Waiting for a load outside Louisville. Been pondering a lot....

- How do I drive less and play more poker?
- How do I play the tournaments I want to play?
- How do I effectively study?
- What do I effectively study?
- How do I implement what I learn into my game?
- Do I build my bankroll on my own or do I seek backing/staking?

Posted here earlier;
https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...-boss-1703155/

Going to try and get a few tournaments in this weekend depending on where freight takes me.

Played last night at the Horseshoe in Elizabeth, IN (Louisville, KY suburb)
Tournament started at midnight, wasn't expecting much. The poker room was busy and there ended up being 108 entrants. $60 Buy in, Bounty Tournament. ($10 bounty) top 10 get paid with $1300 up top.

Had a blast, was like shooting fish in a pond. Got down to the final 2 tables, was the chip leader, had collected 6 bounties so it was a free roll at this point. Blinds are getting huge. Older TAG gentleman pushes all in on the button, I am the BB and look down at AK and call for about half my stack. He flips over QQ, I miss and double him up. Lose the next 2 hands and exit the tourney in 12th.

In the process of making the 8 hours drive home to Michigan. Will get to sleep in my own bed, kick back and enjoy a beer and watch New England break some more records tomorrow.

Live Long & Love Much

Sitting in Memphis waiting on the next load. No live tournaments since my last post. Hope to get a few in this weekend depending on where I end up. The Horseshoe in Tunica has a $165 multi-day with a $50,000 Guarantee running his weekend. If I don't get a load out tomorrow I will be in that one for sure.

Did take second in the $3 Rebuy tonight on Global for $204.01