Baby Steps

Raising Pots

So, I ended last week saying that I was determined to come here posting a positive win rate. Well, that ain't gonna happen but I can certainly post here in a positive frame of mind. You see, for although my win rate this week is negative I feel giant steps are being made forward with my game, not the least the understanding in my mind of two core principals that I have attempted to install in my brain this week, they are:

• Poker is all about small edges

I'm forever chasing that big hand and the big river payoff that I neglect the fact that most of my winning sessions have come from small consistent pots, stealing at the right time, isolating and outplaying. Not getting it all in in a full house over flush situation (though they are sweet). So, to this end stuck as I am approximately $40 in a hole this seems like a mountain to climb, bearing in mind I will see a break even BR at this stage as a huge accomplishment, however, let's break this down, I need only play 20,000 hands (just over one month at my current volume rate) at a smallish +4BB/100 to near enough break even. Winning +4BB/100 seems very small and it is, but see how this accumulates? So, it's the small edges.

• Big hand, big pot; small hand small pot

Another key principal that I overlook. How many times have I had TPTK and thought I'd flopped the world and played it to death? A lot. You only have to see that I'm currently losing , across my entire database, -1.24BB/100 with TT yet still win 60% of the time with it. So maybe you'll be missing value occasionally when you check behind on the river on a scary board when you have the winning hand. Pot control is a new one to me and I can now, more than ever, see why position is so massively important.

So, the tale of the week:

Hands: 3,434
Hours: 13.13
BB/100: -3.99
$/hour - -$0.16
Total winnings: -$5.48
Total rakeback + bonus: $4.79

Total for the week: -$0.69

Lifting Weights

Another good week at the gym Really feeling the motivation for it again now. Went down 3 times this week, so not great but much better, and did a body split consisting of arms and shoulders in one session and back and chest another with squats every session of course. Much like the poker is baby steps right now and look for t he small edge the gym is the same. I can't lift like I could earlier in the year, I'm not as big or as strong. That's frustrating, but I know I can get there and will get there.

Thought Provoking Week

Raising Pots

So, it seems I just can't sustain a winning streak. Have played 8 sessions this week, have won three and lost five. Decided it was time to get some serious help with my game so posted at Cardschat.com that I need help and to say I was overwhelmed by the response would be an understatement. Long story short it was suggested I play a session and record it and post it for people to watch, which is what I did. Although the session was a winning one I got into a few situations that provoked debate, one in particular with a pair of tens that really exposed some weakness in my game. Anyway, there's a lot to be taken from the session most of all to really try and stop playing so tricky. I'm gonna practice ABC poker this week and am determined to com here next Sunday posting a positive winrate.

So, the tale of the week:

Hands: 4,294
Hours: 12.33
BB/100: -6.11
$/hour: -$0.85
Total winnings: -$10.49

Total rakeback + bonus: $11.11

Total for the week: $0.62

Have also been offered a sweat session by a Cardschat regular which I'm really keen to do too as I think this will help to overhaul my game. I'm serious about this you know? I'm not going to be another 'also ran'. I will be a winning player.

Lifting Weights

Back to the gym this week and have to say I loved. Only booked three sessions but sat here now feeling the ache I have to say it's worth it. Am working earlies this week so really hope to get a good three sessions in. It's frustrating starting back and know being as strong or having as much stamina as you're used to but if anything this will spur me on.

Lastly, this is being written on Monday as I have had a extended weekend due to working on Saturday night.

So to summarise, all in all a week of change, a turning point I hope.

A Profitable Week...

Raising Pots:

So, I'm able to report my first profitable week at the cash tables, albeit only just over 2 buyins up, profit is profit though right? Combine that with rake back and bonus and I'm up 3 buyins in total. My blind stealing which is still a new and important part of my game has gone well this week to the tune of 9.95BB/100 with a 40% steal attempt, so am happy with that.

Played quite a few SNGs this week too, 29 to be precise. Despite a rather large cash for a 2nd place finish in a 45 SNG I finish here with a rather dismal $10.45 loss with an ROI of -30%. Of the 29 SNGs I cashed in 20%. Have really enjoyed playing these though and they do make a nice change form cash.

Lifting Weights

Another disappointing week. Didn't make the gym though did start my 100 push-ups challenge again from week 3 so woke up this morning a little stiff! Had a revelation on Friday this week though so expect to see this section have a more positive outlook next week!

Welcome to a downswing...

Raising Pots


Wow, what a start to August. Have been on a rough ride this week and my graph has taken a nose dive south:

Luck however has not been on my side as you can see below my graph adjusted for EV looks like this:

So my stats for this week are as follows:

Hands: 6,256

Hours played: 16.93

Amount Won: -$7.43

BB/100: -2.97

Rakeback: $0

Bonus: $6

Total for week: -$1.43

So all in all not a great week. I'm generally happy with how I have played but am just getting coolered, looking back at the hands a lot of the time I have got my money in when it is best only to lose to suckout. One positive to take from the week is I feel that I control my tilt a whol lot better than I used to. Sure, I thump the desk and scream and shout but that's it, I'm trying hard, and so far suceeding, to not let it affect my game too much.

I have done a lot of studying this week or trying to add any new concepts into my game except to continue concentrating on my blind stealing. I've done ok, I need to be a maybe a little more selective as this week my attempt to steal is at 48.95 which is quite high and this week I've lost $2.62 in my steal attempts, not good I know but this is a small sample and as you can see since the start of June (when I started this properly) it's worked out ok (approx +$6)

Lifting Weights

Have been working an early shift this week so although that gives me time to go to the gym in the afternoons I elected to grind instead. No gym all week. Not good.

My Worst Week

Worst week ever this week. Not for poker or lifting reasons but for personal ones.

We lost our darling, beautiful Louis on Wednesday. Sleep tight my friend.