Raising Pots
I always look forward to writing these end of month summaries, especially as since November 2010 they have all had positive winrates, but especially as it gives me a wider sense of perspective. Although I feel it is important to check my progress each week and see what changes, if any I can apply, I think these monthly ones can give us a broader perspective and certainly highlight any leaks.
So as a general overall feeling, how has this month been? Well, good for the most part I'd say. I suffered a major down-swing part way through the month, after running super hot for the first part, which really dented my confidence no end. No matter how much I tell myself it's just variance march on through, I still let it affect my game to the point where it becomes a mix of variance and bad play. Off the felt of course Black Friday hit the poker world square in the face and this was right in the middle of my down-swing and I definitely feel it affected my game, with nobody quite sure what was happening, whether the money was safe, or were the sites going to be able to continue, focus at the tables was definitely way off. Now, there is still no definitive answer to what is happening but right now I'm just carrying on as normal. The sites are still operating to UK and the rest of the World, I still want to play, so I am cracking on.
OK, so let's see those all important numbers:
Hours: 87.80
BB/100: 1.26
$/hour: $0.98
Total winnings: $86.05
Total rakeback: $61.47
Total bonus: $65
Total for the month: $212.52
Graph looks like this (note the swings):
A record breaking month no less! Not a record profit at the tables either in terms of actual dollars or BB/100 but with the bonuses spewing out from FTP it certainly gave a healthy kick-up the backside for my quest to hit $25NL. I started to turn the corner towards the end of the month but in a bitter twist of fortune I lost 8 buyins in the final day of April.
You'll remember at the end of last month I stated my goals for April. They were:
1) Play 20,000 hands at a winrate of +4BB/100 - played a ton more volume but alas at a lower winrate so need to work on that elusive 4+BB/100 this month.
2) Complete my coaching and continue to analyse my play in detail - coaching finished and am very pleased with how it went and what I learnt. I analyse my play a lot more but still something to work on.
3) Sweat a session post coaching with another player - did not happen.
So, let's post my goals for May. May will be unabashedly volume orientated this month as I really want to clear as much of the free bonus money as possible. As such I will also be playing 9 tables at a time.
1) Play maximum number of hands at +4BB/100
2) Earn at least 5,500 FTP points
3) Hit 'Silver' for Ironman
4) Session analysis every 10,000 hands
5) Move up to $25NL (if this happens tables will drop back to 6 initially)
6) If number 5 is achieved start to source a new coach for $25NL
Lifting Weights
A mixed bag here too. The month started off super strong training really hard and certainly feeling fitter and happier than bang...I got ill. I was dreading this happening as I knew it would set me back and put me behind pace which is exactly what it has done. I have missed a few sessions over the last couple of weeks and although I am confident I can get back on track it has certainly derailed me momentarily. I for a strong May. I still have my eye on that holiday in the sun as a reward...
