bloggin

I have a spare 20 minutes so I thought I'd update (Don't worry I only write these every ~6 months).

Just to follow up from my last blog. It looks, well not looks, I have deleted all of my Galfond PLO. I'm gutted cos I really wanted to listen to what he had to say. However, watching Phil play, watching Phil go through HH's at High Stakes, watching PHil sweat a friend etc. I realised this isnt conducive for me to getting down, playing and improving.

The only thing that will enable me to play. Is me. And having the will to do it. (I know that sounds funny but there are issues I have about playing. It's not the money. And I touched upon it in my mentor vid with Josh. It's more along the lines of I wanted to understand EVERY poker video made so that when I played I'd know exactly what to do in every situation. Thus, progressing through the levels at a swift rate with simple ease. The catch 22 situation being, watching live play vids is the equivalent of passive participation in anything. You are taking stuff in, you are learning stuff. It's just not the same as playing. It's not the same skills you learn from actually playing. So unless I play, I'll never get to a level to understand and benefit from the high level vids. Where I was approaching it from the point of view that I wouldnt play until I did. Thus creating a gap, which from my previous mindset I would never have been able to get across).

I suppose that may be a way of thinking about every non-technical aspect of the game. If something doesnt make sense, continue to probe why until theory and practice are in harmony (LOL).

But yeah, in short I'm taking a break from video watching. I have a list of threads and stuff I need to get through in the next couple of weeks. I have the list of computer programs I need to master (as mentioned in a previous blog) though I need to add Poker Ranger to this list.

I'm giving poker a few more months. Then we'll see how it goes after that. 

I'm definitely not giving up. I just feel my previous approach was flawed. So I have altered it.

I made an allusion in my last post to another member of this site being unable to beat the game.

TodAy, I realised that comment wasn't really aimed towards him. It was meant for me.

I've been learning poker for over 2.5 years. And to make a long story short. I have 0 idea how to win at this game, 

I understand there are 5 different moves. I understand that you want to play better than your opponents. And I understand that if you have a flush draw, that's quite a good hand. Beyond that I nothing.

In truth, I know slightly more than my previous statement. But only slightly more.

Not for 1 second, do I think I'm not capable of beating the games. Though today, moreso than 2.5 years ago it seems further away than ever.

I can't even say that I've been complacent. I've never got myself into a position to be complacent. I have been lazy. Now that's not to say, I haven't utilised every hour at my disposal to get better at poker. I just have to work even harder starting now.

To continue the themes of my last 2 x blog posts. I have some bad habits when it comes to learning poker. ANd I have some issues surrounding my living conditions and time management which affect my learning and progression in the game. I have to work at resolving them, and intend to.

The main point is. I know what I have to do. I have drawn up a plan. Now I have to follow it, just with greater intensity. Right starting NOW!

I dont normally blog unless I stay at my Aunt's house, and I get lonely :) It seems, whenever I stay there, I think about the blog. ANd update it.

So, I recorded the 2nd vid with sthief09. I didnt contribute a great deal (we was going through excel, and I have a very limited experience of the programme) but feel that the session will be a great help to my poker career.

I've been learning for a while. And I still havent played a hand (well not since 2010). I definitely think I'm getting closer to being ready mentally to play. But at the same time, I still dont know how to beat the game (6max NL).

I have streamlined all the videos I have on my computer. The HU vids are an essential watch (I intend to master HUNL, and then move on from there). Other vids are in a less essential folder.

I am looking to understand intimately the following programmes (these are mainly found in sthief's and recently stanmore's video series'):

Spreadsheets, PPT, flopzilla, CREV, HEM2/PT4.

While we're on the subject of Mik/Stanmore. I find it v impressive the work he seems to be putting in at the minute. Now, it would seem he also doesnt currently understand how to beat the game (though that's not for a lack of trying). However, he's using everything within his conscious power to try to. Currently, I'm working fairly hard at my game. It would seem I need to work even harder.

And you even know, after this bit of work, I might be sitting down a table (though I had planned on buying a felt table, and imagining the top players sitting in the other seats playing against me. So, having an imaginary game in my head :) (I can't go on like this surely. Though it would seem with all the information that is out there, and is continually being produced on say, the 2p2 forums. I'm not getting any closer to getting on top of things. Oh well, I'll have to do some more streamlining)

The 1st training video I've been involved in has come out this week. Sthief is mentoring me. So anybody interested take a look.

On a less positive note (if you look at the past this way), I'm addicted to something I can't talk about. But I'm using this blog as public record that I'm giving it up for good. 

I've said it many times before, and I've tried (though not particularly hard). But I meAN it, this time. I'm giving up for good. Or might be allowed to do it once a fortnight (in moderation). Though havent decided. Need to tho.

Let me frame it positively. This is a fresh start for me.

Will be going to bed early tonight. Have to start looking for jobs 1st thing tomorrow. But for some reason I fancy writing another blog.

Just to follow up some thoughts I was having in the last blog and the comments. Thus game Pot Limit Omaha. I cant get my head round it. You have 4 cards, there are 6 x the number of possible combinations compared to NLHE. He must have the nuts!

The variance of the game doesnt scare me. OK, if i need to make x amount every to pay my bills I might be a bit concerned to run -100 BI's under EV. But (although its not guaranteed, and there's no mathematical proof) I would always be thinking my luck's gonna change any second now. The problem I have with the game is a) fear of the nuts (is that an irrational fear or 1 based in rationality?) and b) it just seems very very complicated.

I intend to watch some live play training videos made by good players v soon but as a noob to the game, I cant get my head around the maths. I'm not a good NLHE player or thinker, but somewhere in my head, I know I have the game. And obviously I didnt always think (know?) this. It took me yeah, a couple of years (well, maybe 6 months. But 2 years in, I'm still not there but still have an idea about where the end game is). This 4 card game, I dont know.

I feel with enough hard-work and application, you could become a very good NLHE player by crunching numbers (spreadsheets, programs, probability). PLO? Blahhhhh!!!!!!!!! There's too many starting hand combinations which become made hands on the flop, evolve into a strong drawing hand on the turn, and become an airball on the river.

If you can work this game out, salud! I'm doubtful it can be done

Yeah, have 20 or so minutes to kill, so will update again.

So, have been thinking about the HU for the past few days. Def will learn this way. It seems the most efficient route into being a semi-decent player. Although knowing how good kanu, ike and sauce already are, I probably should look into becoming a very good HU player (as opposed to the aforementioned great players) and then possibly transitioning back into 6 max, at somewhere around the 5/10 level. If i can afford to, if the game is still going, if I'm still playing, if I still want to play and look to improve as a player.

I'd like to do lots of things with my life (and be really good at all these things) but my days go so quick, I dont think I'll get a chance. POker has to be 1 of them, on account of the opportunities it allows me in other parts of my life, if i reach a requisite standard (nb. im not saying the requisite standard due to everybody at least seeming to be constantly improving).

I mention this because i'm at a crossroads in my life. I have to get a full-time job, even though my cv would make it seem as if I'm near unemployable from a work history p.o.v. Hopefully, something comes up. I would've liked to be able to make a living playing poker but that day is a long way off. Though it is not impossible, it would seem unlikely. Like i mentioned in part 1, in spite of this, I refuse to give up.

If anybody wants to send me some tips I'd be most appreciative. I'd like to play PLO. I'd like to be able to understand the game, at least to the level I feel I'm capable of understanding NLHE. I don't think I ever will.

Is it possible? DOes anybody understand it that well?

I'm bored so thought I'd update.

I started learning poker just over 2 years ago. I thought it was going to be easy. I thought I was going to make loads of money.

It isn't. I haven't.

Oh well, I will not give up.

Think I am going to only play (and learn) HUNL from now on. As much as I would like to be a brilliant 6 max NL player. And a brilliant HUPLO player. ANd a brilliant 6max PLO player. ANd a brilliant 10 game player.

There arent enough hours in the day for that to happen. Outside of head to head NL, there seems to be too many variables to consider. And the way my mind is wired wont allow me to weigh all the variables correctly unless I'm 1 tabling live. And that (IMO) isnt the most constructive way for me to learn.

So yeah, 50NL HU on stars here I come!

I'm starting tonight in 1 hour time, at 5nl on 'stars. I don't have a clue what I'm doing but in 3 years time, I will. It has to be now! GG

EDIT: 1st session over. ~70 hands 1-tabling (I know, I know). Will be updating on Saturday when I get a chance to go over today's hands. Intending to play tomoroow, Thursday and Friday, even though I played like a fish. Am going to try not to bluff so much. I know so much theory, I just can't think straight when I'm playing.

Everyone's solid at 10NL lol!

After last month's aborted start to my poker career. I have a new date.

December 1st.

I'll have been learning NLHE since ~Aug 17th 2010 so it's about time I started playing the game. Have a FEW more videos to watch. Have a FEW psychological issues to sort out. Next stop 'The Big Game'.

Not sure if I've set the blog up proper. Oh well, lets hope the poker goes better.

EDIT in the original post: Here we go. I quit university today. Tonight, I start my new career as a poker professional at 10nl. Wish me luck!

EDIT EDIT: POSTPONED LOL