Sigmund-Freud

Taking on this project it is leading me away from poker more then onwards. Even at 8BB/100 at 50-200nl it feels as the deal is controlled and not random. But more importantly, I do not think poker as a whole contributes to anything good, on the contrary it is a leeching business, and probably dependent upon ppl losing control of their gambling habits. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth. I will not be surprised when future scandals are revealed. Poker has lost all it`s appeal. Take care and end of poker road for me.

It is really interesting how working to form good habits transcend into other areas of interest. My last couple weeks has been very little poker in a straight line manner, but lots of tangents, and I have too had a burst of inspiration to further educate myself in my profession. Days are getting up early, coffee and a reading session, work, exercise, family time, and then I have a 2-3 hr window before turning in to spend at whatever I find rewarding in that moment. My 100 push-ups a day is swapped for a goal of 100 navyseal burpees a day, not there yet.

My following of the GTOw`s study plan have had a great impact and I highly recommend it. It has branched out into studies about learning and project planning. Improving sleep and focus, scheduling, and appreciation for all that I am grateful for.

MTTs: if one has the point of view that the higher the variance the greater the skill is required to have an edge, mtts is definitely one of the most degenerate disciplines of poker. One must be insanely skilled, otherwise it is a crap-shoot. I find it really interesting to study, but only play when I have time to waste. It is mostly an exercise in tilt-control and much like playing the lottery, I do it for fun.

Cash game: I have not played many sessions as my priorities has been elsewhere, but I have learned a ton from the studyplan, and next goal is to play a decent sample to break down my most prominent mistakes and improve those first. 200nl is where I believe my skills are still giving me an edge, at least I spot a decent amount of mistakes in the opposition. And I am improving on noticing my own mistakes.
Did play a session of 500nl which was stupid as I am not rolled for it and probably not skilled for it, anyways risk of ruin to high. Surprised to see how small the 500nl zoom pool has grown.
Zoom only and no hud. I really enjoy playing without a hud as I feel sharper, and when I notice I am not paying the appropriate attention, I quit.

Gl

This week I have studied less as I spent more time at work, and prioritized going to the gym and for walks in my leisure time.

Developing the trait of being a person that takes care of ones self is starting to yield benefits. My sleep is better, I feel good, and I eat healthy and tasty food.

Playing MTTs feels more like bingo then a strategy game, where stacks more often then not get eaten away until 20bb deep and it is a shove-fest with incredible variance. I interpret that as lack of knowledge.
Studying for MTTs and getting my head around theory concepts is very interesting.
This week the topic has been BvB play: equity realization, board coverage, polarization, limp, raise, vs limp, vs raise and limp-raising, broad strokes type of learning, but very educating. Really good articles to get an idea from at GTOw.

Cash game theory is equally interesting and I believe my understanding deepened, but long way to go.

My mind is much calmer in game.

The reading and studying I have completed this week has provoked some thoughts around my own character. I wish not to have goals, but to cultivate traits. Then contemplation is best spent concerning the traits I desire and how to nourish growth.

Went to the gym again for the first time in years, the trait I am developing is a caretaker of ones physique, I will own strength, flexibility and agility. And will explore different training methods I find intriguing. 100 push ups in a day is now easy.

Sleep is improving, I do wake up once or twice, now turning in much earlier then before; latest 11 pm, and rising earlier; 7:30 am. Dictates I can not play late mtt`s, but that is ok.

I am eating much healthier.

Study: I took off on a tangent with the toy games, but feel it has brought deeper understanding. Played around with a simple toy game on a board 22334 with ranges 55-AA. Then adjusted SPR, bet sizes, streets to bet, and played around with symmetric, partially symmetric, and asymmetric ranges. To see the impact on strategy, guessing at the result before hand. Was a valuable lesson to me.
Ranges, ranges, ranges and thresholds has been my MTT topic.

Off course it is not 100% waterproof, but the mental game gain has been ridiculously high. Worth repeating, to my self, and who ever bothers to read my posts. Having a thought process based on sound fundamentals and keeping the focus on the quality and improvement of decisions can not be cherished enough imo.

Habit I am working on: writing down a summery of the day and a plan for the coming day, with inspection of what has been and the work laid down, the chores for the following day and what I strive to improve on. Even though GTOW has it all laid out in the Study Plan, I believe this approach creates accountability and discipline towards self.
Results: sample size is still meaningless

This week I have refreshed my understanding of basic fundamentals, which I highly recommend. Since I am following the Study Plan at GToW my goal is to create a strong and clean decision process.
It has been a long time since I did math and currently I am getting my head around solving the [0,1] toy games. Was introduced to it in a daily GTO dose quiz and I found Mathematics of Poker to elaborate on it. Bit nerdy, but valuable insight. Not fully digested yet, but I find it very entertaining and though.
Other then this I have spent time getting ranges more on point, studying thresholds, and bet/raise sizes. I have a long way to go.

As already pointed out, honing in on a consistent thought process has lessened the mental distress I have felt earlier when inevitable swings occur. This is huge to me. And I am taking pleasure in learning and playing.
As far as MTTs goes I am totally a newbie in to days environment. Cash game I am familiar with, but my approach is now very different. I only play zoom, and without HUD. I have no monetary goal, just to improve my understanding. Sessions are not long, max 1 hr as I find it taxing on my mental capacity when I am this involved in the hands. Managed to final table one MTT, but butchered it. Did not consider ICM and pushed a very small edge to far vs chip leader and busted 9th, when I could have chosen much better spots and with less risk. Seems a pattern, have busted a few MTTs where I am positioned 30-40 with 100 to go and I push small edges vs covering stacks.

"It is a mistake if you do it once and did not know better. If you do it twice it is a choice."

Results. Totally insignificant sample size and I read nothing into it. I shy away from a result oriented mindset.

Routines are forming with regards to push ups and regular walks. Even spent some time meditating, and still fighting the urge to check my phone to often.
Gl

TY!

As far as free poker lessons concerned, GToW must be right at the forefront. The Study Plan has exceptional content and is eloquently presented at a high standard imo. I am very impressed.
The promise of only 30 day to crush low limits is perhaps not entirely true, but it rings good. And one must take into account that I am only spending 2-3 hrs a day to study and play combined. It is certainly going to take more time to consume, digest and process all the info, of that I am sure.
It is my future aim to own the same savvy as the content providers, if asked by an uninitiated.
A professional poker player makes better decisions, period. And to arrive at good decisions one must have a great understanding of the fundamentals, and the ability to derive in game in an effective manner.
Reading is not learning. But organizing info, questioning, taking notes, reciting, revising and producing an own word chain of thought is. My favourite method is to imagine I must teach the topic I am investigating.
The first notable benefit is a change in my mental state when playing, I am questioning my decisions a lot more, less fast clicking or auto-plays, a notable shift of focus away from results and emotional distress, and onto how I reason my choices and what I can improve/did not understand.
It is my opinion that I am more productive in game as I note my thought process that takes place in key decision points for later hand history work.
Equity, EV and equity realization being the topics now.

Added benefit. I wish to have good habits. I desire it.
My sleep schedule has gotten more attention, I want it to become more consistent.
I am more aware of what I chose to eat, I want a better diet.
I want a positive mindset.
An exercise habit is taking form, I aim for 100 pushups total a day and to get out and do at least 1 hr walks regularly. I want to add some more chores to my exercise regime when I feel these two a routine.
I browse GToW blog at most idle moments where I have some peace.
I am deliberately spending less time at social media. Crazy how often one feels the urge to check the phone. I want a calmer mind.
Gl

I literally think this is the sadest thing I have ever done. I am down to my last 3-4 BI at the lowest stakes. Crushed by every idiot fish that calls in mp w T8s, reraises with J3os, or limpcalls x etc etc. they can do whatever, I will flop promising and they will flop or turn or river the nuts I can literally not win a hand and for what is a long time ago I am totally crushed, I have not a single thread of belief that I will ever dig out of this hole. 300k hand with a pure donwward slope, and every shot brutally crushed by variance. I know I am just getting frawned upon saying this, but who is making sure the sites are kept in lines? If the site could make our money spin a few times extra they rake just that much more, I have so many sick runouts and wacked runit twice vs fish it makes no sense. But that is just me. Anyways, seems it was die tryin and not making it. Sayanora

Having been on a break and looking over much of my play I realized my foundation and understanding of poker is weak and loaded with misconceptions. I really enjoy the studies and the search for a meaningful approach. Just wish it was easier in game. The first two sessions I have bumped premium vs better premium a lot, and been sucked out on frequently. The worry is that it will not stop, as my last 180k hands has been just that. Already down 20 bi in just above 2k hands.

Ran one more session of low stakes. Did not go to well.

Biggest losers

PokerStars Zoom No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://flopturnriver.com



Button ($50)

SB ($73.14)

BB ($47.50)

UTG ($33.80)

Hero (MP) ($67.80)

CO ($45.41)



Preflop: Hero is MP with 10♣, 10♠

1 fold, Hero raises to $1.25, CO calls $1.25, 3 folds



Flop: ($3.25) J♠, 5♥, 10♥ (2 players)

Hero checks, CO bets $1.92, Hero raises to $7.12, CO calls $5.20



Turn: ($17.49) 2♥ (2 players)

Hero checks, CO bets $10.30, Hero calls $10.30



River: ($38.09) K♠ (2 players)

Hero checks, CO bets $22.44, Hero calls $22.44



Total pot: $82.97 | Rake: $2



Results below:

Hero didn't show 10♣, 10♠ (three of a kind, tens).

CO had A♥, 9♥ (flush, Ace high).

Outcome: CO won $80.97

PokerStars Zoom No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com



Button ($50.26)

SB ($57.14)

Hero (BB) ($53.13)

UTG ($58.44)

MP ($27.20)

CO ($54.70)



Preflop: Hero is BB with A♣, A♠

1 fold, MP raises to $1.50, 3 folds, Hero raises to $6.50, MP calls $5



Flop: ($13.25) A♦, K♠, 9♦ (2 players)

Hero bets $4.15, MP raises to $20.70 (All-In), Hero calls $16.55



Turn: ($54.65) 6♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)



River: ($54.65) 9♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)



Total pot: $54.65 | Rake: $2



Results below:

Hero had A♣, A♠ (full house, Aces over nines).

MP had 9♥, 9♠ (four of a kind, nines).

Outcome: MP won $52.65

PokerStars Zoom No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://poker-tools.flopturnriver.com/Hand-Converter.php



Button ($48.73)

Hero (SB) ($54.84)

BB ($59.41)

UTG ($51.35)

MP ($50.75)

CO ($84.03)



Preflop: Hero is SB with A♥, K♠

1 fold, MP raises to $1, CO calls $1, 1 fold, Hero raises to $6.50, 1 fold, MP calls $5.50, CO calls $5.50



Flop: ($20) 7♣, K♦, 5♦ (3 players)

Hero bets $14.25, MP calls $14.25, 1 fold



Turn: ($48.50) 7♥ (2 players)

Hero bets $34.09 (All-In), MP calls $30 (All-In)



Running it twice



First River: ($54.25) 2♦



Second River: ($54.25) 6♠



Board 1: 7♣, K♦, 5♦, 7♥, 2♦

Board 2: 7♣, K♦, 5♦, 7♥, 6♠



Total pot: $108.50 | Rake: $2.50



Results below:

Hero had A♥, K♠

Hero had two pair, Kings and sevens on the first board

Hero had two pair, Kings and sevens on the second board

MP had A♦, A♠

MP had two pair, Aces and sevens on the first board and collected $54.25

MP had two pair, Aces and sevens on the second board and collected $54.25

Outcome: MP won $106

Just a normal session. You would think getting 1 outed with set over set is rare, I have one every week. NO KIDDING!!

I am too running shit vs fish over a 300k+ sample, very much in the line with the AA vs 99 hand. I am 4K down vs shortstacks alone.

This year so far has been the worst from a pokerdream pov, but has cleaned up a lot of my mental game. Saying that it feels a bit as regression looking at the form my posts are taking. The idea is to have this be productive.

Dropped a few K at 500, dropped down to 200, ran like a fkn turdm dropped to 100 ran stupdi shit, dropped to 50, ran gut, then jsut fucked every time I try to make a move. And I have to confess, my patience is fucked.

All my hands since xmas, 500nl, 200 nl 100 nl and 50 nl, thet are almost in succession. A downward spiral. Though game to have as an occupation.

A Classic session. Play my heart out, only to be fucked by variance the last 10-20 hands and have zero to show for it. Greyhoundday

As the lyrics goes: It goes on and on ........in just a 1k hands I am another 4bi below ev, total downswing is 80 bi+- or 14K if u like, below ev is 26 bi or 3k ish. Will post some graphs soon. Mental game is good though. And it feels ok to have a finite treshold, I will give it my all. And if I pass this point, I was 1, not good enoug, 2. Just that fucking unlucky

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com

SB ($206.56)
Hero (BB) ($100)
UTG ($124.70)
MP ($100)
CO ($100)
Button ($222.86)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 10♣, 7♦.
UTG raises to $2, 4 folds, Hero calls $1

Flop: ($4.50) 9♥, 6♦, 8♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $2.14, Hero raises to $8.56, UTG calls $6.42

Turn: ($21.62) J♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $15.41, UTG raises to $30.82, Hero calls $15.41

River: ($83.26) 8♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $40.38, Hero calls $40.38

Total pot: $164.02 | Rake: $2.50

Results below:
Hero didn't show 10♣, 7♦ (straight, Jack high).
UTG had K♦, Q♦ (flush, King high).
Outcome: UTG won $161.52

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://flopturnriver.com

SB ($110.49)
Hero (BB) ($147.32)
UTG ($65.36)
MP ($107.91)
CO ($107.72)
Button ($100)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K♥, Q♥.
UTG raises to $3, 4 folds, Hero raises to $11, UTG calls $8

Flop: ($22.50) 3♥, 3♣, A♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $7, UTG raises to $54.36 (All-In), Hero calls $47.36

Turn: ($131.22) 7♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($131.22) 9♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $131.22 | Rake: $2.50

Results below:
Hero had K♥, Q♥ (one pair, threes).
UTG had 7♥, 9♥ (two pair, nines and sevens).
Outcome: UTG won $128.72

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://flopturnriver.com

CO ($291.60)
Button ($121.66)
SB ($102.70)
BB ($446.04)
Hero (UTG) ($113.76)
MP ($115.01)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with A♥, A♣.
Hero raises to $2.50, 4 folds, BB calls $1.50

Flop: ($5.50) 9♠, 5♣, 7♦ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $2, BB raises to $8, Hero calls $6

Turn: ($21.50) 10♥ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($21.50) 2♠ (2 players)
BB bets $30, Hero calls $30

Total pot: $81.50 | Rake: $2.50

Results below:
BB had 2♥, 2♦ (three of a kind, twos).
Hero didn't show A♥, A♣ (one pair, Aces).
Outcome: BB won $79

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://flopturnriver.com/

MP ($42.31)
CO ($122.90)
Hero (Button) ($100)
SB ($135.71)
BB ($136.67)
UTG ($104.92)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q♠, Q♣.
3 folds, Hero raises to $2.50, 1 fold, BB raises to $11, Hero raises to $26, BB raises to $136.67 (All-In), Hero calls $74 (All-In)

Running it twice

: ($100.25) A♠, 7♣, 9♣.
First Turn: ($100.25) 4♠
First River: ($100.25) 8♣

: ($100.25) 6♥, 2♥, A♥
Second Turn: ($100.25) 3♥
Second River: ($100.25) 8♦

Board 1: A♠, 7♣, 9♣, 4♠, 8♣
Board 2: 6♥, 2♥, A♥, 3♥, 8♦

Total pot: $200.50 | Rake: $2.50

Results below:
Hero had Q♠, Q♣
Hero had one pair, Queens on the first board
Hero had one pair, Queens on the second board
BB had A♣, K♠
BB had one pair, Aces on the first board and collected $100.25
BB had one pair, Aces on the second board and collected $100.25
Outcome: BB won $198

Literally 2/5 first hands in after break. But I am at high spirits, for now.... last dance with the devil

I quit. 95% of sessions for the last 160k hands is like this, and to be honest it is my opinion that all my poker has been like this. No matter the work I put in the worse I run.
This is from 2 session, just shy of 3k hands. And I could just pile on. I know I am not an expert, but this is just not worth it. I feel like a shitmagnet and have all my life. My mental game has been the strongest ever, and my studies the most productive. But I may just have had enough. The game is not at all what I thought it to be.

Quick update. The bad run is not over just yet, brutal 2k hands and 10BI further down, acutally the downswing in it self was 20 BI over 2 k hands as I first won 10 and then lost 20 so fast my head was spinning :)..... topset lost to riverd quads, flop boat, villain runrun better one, etc etc. Very proud of myself to have not regressed heavily into self-pity and all sorts of ill mindsets. With regards to study this has been my most productive and organized period and I am looking to still improve on that.

The 4 first months of 2021 has been really testing with regards to poker. The 100nl challenge is not going as well as hoped for, but my habits have improved. I have not gone into huge tilts because of run or whatever other excuse I have had, and I am looking at what I can improve on instead of spending much time looking at insignificant X vs Y`s with this or that outcome. Those will even out. But I have not been fault-free in this regard, just improved compared to previously. I have also decided not to move down as long as I am meeting my BR requirements for the stake.

Most of all happy with how I have kept on spending time studying, and the attempt to be at my best when playing.
From the productivity game youtube channel I found some advice that helps.
"The champions mind". Mental scorecard. 4 categories and a 1-5 scale point award system.
1. Belief-did I prepare so well I felt as I though could not fail?
2. Enjoyment- attitude of gratitude and a sense of humor throughout performance?
3. Self-talk- steady stream of positive self-talk?
4. Toughness- how quickly did I reset and recover after a setback?

So far at 100nl.

It has been very surprising to learn that I have had a very cockeyed view of my actual skills and level of performance vs the imagined one at poker. The previous post, though meant somewhat humorous, has some deeper levels to it as well.

I will continue to carve out better and improved self management skills and strive towards high performance. Came across a decent youtube channel: Productivity game

Quick and easy to remember summations of essential takeaways from different books, and a good indicator if I`d like to read more.

Have a nice weekend all!

I`ve realized I am not very good at poker :)

Temporary conclusion: I suck. I suck worse than someone who has practiced their whole life sucking and now is very good at it. The upside is, I can only get better. I know what I suck at :)

Hi! Yes, I would recommend it. Not so much guidelines, but pushes in the right direction and some useful references as well, you know the drill, some pages are fillers, but there are many gems there imo. I particularly like the idea of sorting your chosen subject as follows.
Interest; what is it (in depth, what is it), what is your strategy to improve/acquire skill, why, and what are your hopes for the desired acquisition?

1 week back at 100nl.
Project. Minimum 40k hands, and play until bb/100 is 5+.
Best downswing I have had so far. Meaning, it seems I am growing stronger from a mental game pow and I have not cursed the run. The most objective I have been in a downswing. It has been a case of having the worst premium in a lot of pre-flop alins, and some coolers. Ran well in flips, and then butchered a couple hands :). It will even out.

Project. Better studies.
Continued progress, and improved on regular review and revision. Setting daily/weakly/monthly goals and keeping up the pace. Promising.

Lifestyle change.
Nearly done with "Grit" by Angela Duckworth. Reflecting on the previous books I have read and the relevance for me still. Regular hikes, and making sure I am social with family and friends.

It is going to take the time it is going to take.

Happy for you, keep it up!

@CatorMan.
Ty!

Yes, next project is 100nl, 40k hands minimum, but will play until win rate is 5bb/100+. And if I drop more then 10 BI, move back to 50nl until it is recouped.
Study habits is ongoing project. Will keep to what I have done so far for a lot longer, and try to improve on my revision and memorization techniques.

Best of luck to you as well, unless you play me :)!

Challenge completed.

Feels good to have played nearly 4 weeks and not been hung up on run. High level of focus and sound mental game state. Looking at the sample it is obviously not large and I am not drawing any conclusions as to true win rate. Checking my graph I had 3 swings downwards that were 8 BI sized, and 3 upwards that were 10 BI sized, lots of small 2-3 BI ups and downs. 15k hands were the longest break even stretch. Just happy to have had a good mental state throughout the challenge.

Study habits. Humbling to realize I am making mistakes all over the place, and it has helped me shift my focus from victim of bad luck to I have room to improve, and lots of it :).
Pleased with how I have organized my routines even though there is much to be desired still.

Lifestyle change.
No rants in Pat`s direction, and I had not the urge either. Such a relief (for me and I am certain, Pat :). Regular hikes, eating better/healthier, and zero alcohol for the last 2 weeks (I am not giving up drinking, I love beer, wine, nice food and fun times waaay to much), together with a conscious effort to keep a positive outlook is the way. Not all roses, but the essence is there.

gazjax69

some get a 40% rakeback challenge chest if they complete a certain amount of play.

Do you know the amount?
Sry to derail thread, just this one question :)