EdmondDantes says

I think getting your goals down in writing is a great first step. It adds an additional level of commitment and serves as a reference point for later. As for the goals themselves, they all look attainable, although I have a couple of questions. Is the 30-40k reasonable given the level you're playing and the hands/week you can get in? I might figure out what a reasonable number of hands is and set an earn goal from there like you did when you were bonus-whoring. Second, any particular reason why you're looking for 3/6 6-max? There's good money at other levels and given your 100x buy-in criteria, that's a pretty big bankroll requirement--$12,000 to $60,000 on Full Tilt. Third, why Stars for the score? Money's money. I'd look for the decent score anywhere. Begs the question, too...where are you playing now? Finally, as for a mentor...where are you located, what site are you playing and what level?

08/26/07

Swami54 says

I'm an idiot...I meant 10 buyins. I said 30-40k because I've already attained that this year and wanted to sustain it for future years.

As for Stars it's not that I need a big score on Stars. I set the goal so I would stop screwing around on Stars. I always play there when I'm doing a thousand different things and don't pay attention. For example...I was playing 360 last week and had a tourney going on at the same time.

I live in a Chicago suburb and usually play at Cake, Full Tilt, Bodog and Stars and am currently playing 1/2 6 max.

08/27/07

Landlord79 says

A 10x BR is kind of light, especially if you plan on doing any withdrawals. I guess you have reserves though, so it really doesn't matter.

I wouldn't qualify as a coach, but if you need a learning partner for any FR games, I'm happy to share and bounce ideas off you.

Good luck in school!
LL79

08/27/07

Anonymous says

I was at $3800 a couple of weeks ago but have spewed a bunch of it away. I had been playing great but my confidence led me to opening up more hands than I should have been and not paying attention to my opponents. It's amazing how little things can affect the way you play.

If LAG is not your style, don't get frustrated and try to play that way. LAG requires a few more buy ins. Also, It is not that difficult to win 2k on a $30 buy in tournament, but if you are looking for the big score you must play $100 and up tournaments. If you don't you will find yourself just playing on Sundays, which might take a while to make the 'big score"...Good luck!

08/27/07

Swami54 says

I don't get frustrated playing LAG. I just mentioned that the recent losses were solely my fault by making bad decisions. As for $30 tournaments not being that difficult to win....ummmm...I don't agree with you. If they were that easy then the top players would win them every day and could make a nice living solely on those profits.

I used to only play full ring games but have found 6 max to be much more fun. I also realize that a 10x br is light but that's not my entire br. That's only what I have at that particular site.

08/27/07

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I started school last week so poker has taken a back seat for a little while. I was waking up between 10-11 most of the summer so getting up at 5:45 and working all day has been draining. I know...waaaa...poor me gets the summer off. I tried playing a little last Thursday but it is very difficult to make good decisions when you're drained. I spewed about $800 in cash games that night...half of the losses resulting from me being stupid. This weekend I camped and went to a Dave Matthews concert with some friends so I've had a little poker hiatus. DMB is ok but his fans are crazy, my girlfriend being one of them...I just don't get it.

I wanted to get my poker goals in writing.

1. Make 30-40K a year playing poker
I obviously would like to make much more but I'm trying to make realistic goals. Now that school has started most of this would have to come from cash games during the week. It's very difficult to play tournies during the week because I can't play for 5-6 hrs and go to bed past midnight because the next day would be difficult. I played basketball in college and coached at my school but I quit coaching last year (bunch of different reasons). The stipend wasn't huge but every little bit helps so I'd like to cover that with poker playing so I don't feel so bad about quitting. I constantly get asked why I'm not coaching anymore.

2. Move up to at least 3/6 6 max by the end of the year
I already think I can play at that level but I'd like to take the conservative approach with my bankroll. I'm currently playing 1/2 and have a system for moving up. When I get to 10 buyins with the money in my account I'll move up. For example: When I get to $4000 I'll go to 2/4. I was at $3800 a couple of weeks ago but have spewed a bunch of it away. I had been playing great but my confidence led me to opening up more hands than I should have been and not paying attention to my opponents. It's amazing how little things can affect the way you play.

This is a simple way to move up but it suits me. I could probably win a lot more money if I only played cash but they get monotonous. I need a goal to motivate me to play. That's why bonuswhoring worked so well. There was always a goal to reach...hands played, hours, etc. I have the same problem in video games. I can't play the games that never end like World of Warcraft. It's the satisfaction of beating the game that keeps me going (By the way, Bioshock for 360 is pretty damn cool so far). That's why I enjoy playing tournaments so much more. There's satisfaction in saying you placed X out of 1000 people.

3. Have a decent score on Stars
I mentioned before that for some reason I've always just donked around on Stars. My list of tournaments played and results is laughable for Stars. I'm still not sure which tournaments I should be entering but I'll look at that soon. I actually don't have much money in Stars anymore so I may have to start low.

4. Find a mentor/coach/poker friends
This will probably be the hardest goal to attain. I'm happy with my results but I really think a mentor/coach would really help my game reach the next level. The problem is finding one. I'm sure most of the top players get constant requests from people and that has to be annoying. I'm not going to be a f-ing nat bothering someone to help me out. I also realize that there is probably no incentive for them to help me. I would be more than happy to give a percentage of my winnings if the situation is right.



These are my current goals and I'll fill you in on their progress. #1 is more of a yearly goal as the others are by the end of the year.