Back to School

I've had a good friend staying at my place for the last few weeks since he returned from a summer in St Tropez (jealous). So we've been hanging out quite a bit before he ships off to Moscow. He'll be there for at least a year to work as a private chef. €9000 a month to feed a family of four isn't such a bad deal either! But anyway, despite a few distractions I've still found the time I need to push on with my Omaha studies before I start my grind...

I read an interesting article today on moreev.com about card removals in PLO. Read it here. It's something I've thought about but never in such depth or with statistics to back up mere theory. If you don't know what card removal is, Imagine a tight player opens UTG. You look down at your hand and hold AXXX. The fact you hold one of the aces reduces the chance that the tight opener holds an AAXX hand. It's definitely an interesting article and outlines some ideas on how best to approach the situation when it presents itself.

I'm also working my way through the first of four books by Jeff Hwang, a semi-professional poker player, Writer for Card Player magazine and stock market investment analyst. The first books entitled "Pot-Limit Omaha Poker - The Big Play Strategy" and gives a solid strategic foundation to build on, covering all variants of Omaha.

It feels great to be learning so much in such a short period of time. I thought I was a solid Omaha player. In my defence I wasn't that bad, but all this studying opened my eyes to some really great information on area's I struggled with before. Now, even though I've still got 3 books to go, I'm starting to feel like I could completely crush the game! I'd definitely recommend Jeff's books if you're interested in making the transition to Omaha. From what I've read about how juicy the games can be, I'm not regretting it in the slightest. Not only that but I'm grinding for Supernova Elite, so the higher percentage of big pots that occur in Omaha will increase my bonus points and VIP rewards. Win-Win!

Dusty "leatherass" Schmidt

So, my main focus over the past 3 weeks has been studying. Every poker player in the world should study the game at least a few times a week, even if it's briefly and even if you're Phil Ivey. Study helps to maintain a sharp, thoughtful and serious outlook on the game. Even if it's information you already "know", it's good to be reminded. Because thinking about the game in detail away from the table helps you settle into a good mind-set at the table. One that promotes focus, discipline and professionalism. These are ideas I've stolen and evolved from "Treat your poker like a business" - by Dusty "leatherass" Schmidt, a brilliant and truly inspiring book I read a few years ago. I plan to read it again in the coming weeks, along with the sequel "Treat your poker like a business 2" which I'm yet to read. Order his books direct from dustyschmidt.net! Ultimately you'll never get rich from poker unless you put the effort in away from the table. That said, I can't effing wait to start my grind!

Time for Action!

So I'm finally writing a blog! Trust me when I say it's been a long time coming.

It'll mainly follow the trials and tribulations of professional poker, with solid strategic advice thrown in for good measure. I'll also post occasional reviews on books, websites and other stuff to balance my range. But first, a few flashbacks from my career so far, There's tons more I could write about, but I need to stop looking back and focus on the future.

I've had dreams of making the big time in poker for 13 years. It's been my passion, but certain events have tested my love for the game. I've been thrown a few curve balls. For example; I built a bankroll starting from the most micro of micro stakes, to the point where I was comfortably rolled to play nl200. It took me the best part of 4, maybe even 5 years learning and grinding to get to that point. I was then tragically shot down when my roll was stolen by an online gaming / MLM scam! I was crushed. But after time I picked myself up, brushed myself off and tried to re-build... I did well with one attempt until I moved to nl200 slightly too early. I ran bad and was overcome with insane monkey tilt until I found myself chasing losses with what remained of my roll in a 3 handed $5/$10 limit game. With two seasoned regs. Oops. But I'm seriously bored of telling this story now...

I need to stop blaming!

I always used to blame the thieves for my downfall, even my tilt. But why did I put all of my eggs in one basket in the first place? Why did I throw away a roll I'd spent 8 months rebuilding? I'm the one responsible for where my life is right now. Yeah I can legitimately claim its been tough, but it's still no excuse. Until today I've used my bad experiences as exactly that. Excuses to cover up my failures when they're actually the result of my laziness. I let my problems block my path to glory far too easily. I complained and moaned about my issues, instead of grabbing them by the horns. Well...

       THINGS CHANGE NOW! Line Drawn.
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mfw reading "Secrets of the Poker Millionare Mind"

I know what I want...
and I'M GOING TO GET IT!!

Probably because I've literally just finished reading "Secrets of the Poker Millionare Mind" by Gordon Gekko. His no holds barred approach to life coaching was eyebrow raising, but at the same time very obviously the kick in the arse I needed. An encouraging amount of my thought processes matched ones described in the book, but reading it presented me with some shocking realisations as well.

Back in early June I was neglecting a potentially awesome poker staking deal because I was "too busy" working as a graphic designer Monday to Friday. With a few weekends taken up by shows run by the same company I was designing for. Only I wasn't too busy, I was just too lazy to put the effort into a full time job and cards. So, like any sensible person would do, I kicked my steady job to the curb and followed my poker dream...

I left my job with about $0.50c in my staked account and didn't really want to ask for a top up. So with no other ideas I reluctantly took out a cash loan against my car and stuck about 90% of it straight into pokerstars. A bold move right? I knew I could beat the game though, my front end strategy was never an issue.

I lost a few buy-ins at the start but things soon picked up when I bought Hold'em Manager 2. It's an amazing piece of software and I'd completely recommend it. I made great profit almost every day for two weeks and before I knew it was bankrolled for the next limit. I moved up and had results I couldn't grumble about over 5 days play. I then, in my infinite wisdom, had the brilliant idea to beat the record set by Randy "Nanonoko" Lew for the most hands of online poker played in one session. Okay so I cheated with cigarette breaks, but I still played more hands in what I would call "one session". Plus it took me twice as long because I couldn't play more than 24 tables (pokerstars cap 24 as the max), Randy didn't have that issue. My profit peak was +$750 at around the 14k hand mark. I started to predict a $1000+ session but hit the tiredness wall. I reached my target of over 25k hands but with a diminished profit of +$250, not bad. But I was tired & disappointed. I'd finished in the green, but a swing of -$500 felt huge to me at the time.

One session. 25,169 hands. Never again.

I don't know what this record attempt did to my game, but it seemed to spark a destructive down-swing. Four weeks passed where I did nothing but bleed money. My only hope was the book: "The Mental Game of Poker" by Jared Tendler. My off-table "bad luck" hadn't exactly done wonders for my emotional control over the years, but at least I'd accepted it as a problem. I'd battled it and improved a bunch, but it was time to buy this book. If you're serious about profit in poker, it's an absolute must read.

Typically me though, I read the first chapter, making notes to really drum things home. But a month later and I've still not picked it up again, I'll do that soon though. From what I have read, it's an amazingly written book and you can tell that Jared know's his subject inside and out. Reading just the first chapter had me thinking about my mental game problems objectively and was enough to drag me out of the rut, to start steadily making money again. But wait, this is where it gets exciting...

I logged into skype last Friday morning to see an unexpected message from Ced, my friend and contact at moreev.com (top quality staking & coaching company). He asked me if I was interested in grinding plo600! With coaching from an omaha genius. Obviously I snap-accepted even though I'm more of a nlhe player. I'm not phased though, my plo strategy is solid(ish) plus the coach is one of the best omaha players in Europe. I am so freaking excited! Soon enough I'll be on the grind and it's serious money now, what I've been waiting for. Game face [on].