First Post

This is my poker-related blog. I plan to use it so that I can keep a closer record of my poker playing. I also have an account on www.checkyourbets.com (Simon87... add me!*) to track basic money growth. The blog will be used for a closer analysis of each session, specific hands and so on. I'm hoping it'll make me a better player.

I first learned to play about 4 years, although I've only been playing seriously since last December. In that time, I've improved a lot, due largely to the influence of the www.pokertips.org forums and a few books. I've also learned that I'm not as good as I thought I was, and that's a crucial lesson.

My main game is no-limit hold'em, although I have also played some omaha and 7-stud. I think it's best for now if I focus on one version and try to become as skilled as possible in that. Should I become a consistent winner at something like 1/2 NLH, I'd have the money to throw at learning a new game.

Most of my play is online at Party Poker. I play NLH up to .50/1, and MTTs from the $5+1 to $30+3 level. I'm considering moving my play to a different site in the future, one where I can get rakeback, but I won't do that for a while. I'm comfortable where I am, despite the flaws. I also play live once a week with a group of people from my university. The game takes the form of a 1-table tournament with a £10 ($~20) buy in, no rake.

Currently, my bankroll stands at $400 dollars for online play. As my live play is only once a week and only really for fun, I don't have a roll for that. I don't want to reload any more; I've already chucked a considerable sum of money at this hobby, and the time has come for me to stop. The exception might be if I get a reload bonus, when I'll cash out the deposit once the bonus has cleared. Barring that eventuality, a big tournament win, or an emergency, I also don't mean to cash out until I become a long-term winner at .50/1.

$400 dollars isn't really enough to play even .25/.50 NLH SH. I plan to buy-in for $40 until my roll exceeds $550, when I'll start buying in for $50. Once my roll goes over $800, I'll start playing one session per week of .50/1 NLH. When my roll goes over $1200 dollars, I'll move that up to 2 sessions a week. I'll move to .50/1 permanently when I have over $1500 and a proven winning record at .25/.50 (20K hands) and at .50/1 (at least 6K hands). At that point, I'll move over to one session of .25/.50, where I'm a proven winner, until I have 15K hands of winning at .50/1 and a roll of $2000.

With moving down, I'll buy in at $40 if I go under $500. I'll stop playing .50/1 if I go under $700, and play only one session if I go below $1100. Having moved to .50/1 permanently, I'll drop back a stage in my plan if I go below $1300.

Nowhere in this plan have I mentioned MTTs. I plan to play only two of these a week at the $5+1 or $10+1 level. Should I make a cash in those that exceeds $100+buy-in, I'll cash out the surplus so that my roll doesn't get over-inflated.

So that's my plan. I'm bad at sticking to plans and bankrolls, but I'm determined to stick to this one. My biggest flaw as a poker player is not being disciplined enough. This includes bankroll management (I've busted and reloaded frequently due to playing above my roll and skill level) and bluffing into the wrong targets, not laying down where I'm clearly beaten etc. Sticking to this will hopefully help me with that, and will make me better at what I hope can become a profitable hobby instead of a black-hole for surplus cash.

Wish me luck! And if you have any comments or anything, greatly appreciated.

*I used to have an account under the name Jokeslayer, but it's very out of date now. Besides which, I'm drawing a line in the sand. Done is done.