There's no rest for the wicked

Was a little bit lazy the last 2 days because I had nice company ♦
Just watched movies all the time and lying around - but here we go again!!!

There was one movie in particular that impressed me the most:

Jay does everything to achieve his goal to surf the biggest waves and never gives up - he is not afraid to fail or something but just tries his very best to succeed!

I would really recommend this movie to everybody

Livethelife7 also recommended watching a video on PS:

Champions stand up one more time than the rest - Part 1

So that's it for today - gonna watch the video, study and grind a bit

Wuhu my blog has passed the 1000 milestone view ♦

Moreover, I edited my first post and added a bit more information which means there are a list of goals and a plan to achieve that and some other stuff ♠_biggrin:

Good luck to everyone - Ship it

Hey man,
Checked out your blog! I like it! Noticed we are kind of in the same boat, (except you're doing much better $$$ wise :))

Keep at it man! Don't give up!

Added you as a friend, send me your Skype and we can talk poker or something

Hey ChowChow12

Nice to hear that you like it ♠_biggrin:
No, I won't give up - never ever!!!

Added you in the community tool and send skype details!

Just came home from university and wanted to update my blog!

Had a very nice weekend with the family at my aunt's house! Playing cards all the time (Uno and a game called "Schnapsen" which is very popular in Austria). Lost 10 bucks to my mum because of playing Uno but I am up 10 bucks overall ♠_biggrin:

Bad thing is that my aunt does not own a cmoputer and there is somehow no connection to the internet at her house because of the location I guess
I was not lazy and took Jared Tender's books with me to have a good read and also reread some articles that i printed out!

Moreover, I thought about how to become phsycially fit and as I dont really like gyms I had to think of something else - so here are my ideas on how to become a bit fitter without going to the gym:

go swimming when the lakes have the right temperature (been really cold the last couple of days...no summer in sight ♠_evil: )
repairing my bike and USING it as well ♦
start jogging perhaps - I guess that might be a good idea
go sakteboaring more often! I used to go to our local park every day and skate there for some hours, but not anymore... have to do it again as I've heard that our city wants to build a new one
bought a book called "You are your own gym" by Mark Lauren. It is about training with your own body weight and I guess that it is quite good as i dont like going to gyms...probably a good idea as he also describes lots of stuff that go hand in hand with your training like the right nurtition and so on. I am going to read it next week as I am very busy with university the next 7 days and exams are coming closer and closer

I have also found 2 people who are willing to do sweat session(s) and I am really looking forward to do that Really excited about that!

So...off to put in some volume and rake a little bit for silver status ♠_cool:

Ship it!

This month is not going well at all...also think that my mindset changed a bit during the last 2 session, but that's not good. I am constantly thinking about how much money I have to make to be able to move up

Last session was especially horrible because of running under EV and ending up losing - probably because of the wrong thoughts...it got worse because of running into quads and AA got cracked all the time or not paid! Also ran into a fullhouse and a flopped straight

Hand sums up the session pretty good:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.02(BB) Replayer
SB ($1.30)
BB ($1.11)
UTG ($1.46)
Hero ($2.97)
BTN ($1)

Dealt to Hero A♣ A♥

fold, Hero raises to $0.06, fold, fold, BB calls $0.04

FLOP ($0.13) 9♦ T♥ 2♥

BB bets $0.08, Hero raises to $0.24, BB calls $0.16

TURN ($0.61) 9♦ T♥ 2♥ 4♠

BB checks, Hero bets $2.42, BB calls $0.81 (AI)

RIVER ($2.23) 9♦ T♥ 2♥ 4♠ T♣

Here is the graph for the month so far:

So, enough about the whining

The way to silver member is also going a little bit slowly, but I think i can make it!

Good times are back and I am rolled for NL5!!! Wuhu!

BR is at 125,76$ and I am super happy about that!

Hopefully it will work this time and I will be able to stay at the limit and become a reg there - of course the aim os to reach NL10, but first thing first.

Moreover, I have spotted some leaks in my game that go back to the fear factor I guess. My Riverplay has to improve because I am often afraid of betting for value - I just check Another thing is that I should probably reraise in some spots and do not do that. So I have to work on that to get the maximum out of every pot! Fear is probably a big issue for most of the players at the micros, but I really want to improve that and play fearless like Ivey ♠_biggrin:

Next time I will post another update with a timetable for some days as I do not have as much to do as I've expected ♠_grin: I want think about when to study poker (have to do that way more often) and when to play! As the holidays are nearing I must develop a good plan to get the best out of my time ♠_cool:

Played my first little session of NL5 and it was quite good I think as I am pretty happy with my play so far!

Everything went quite well until that hand:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.05(BB) Replayer
SB ($3.51)
BB ($5.67)
Hero ($5)
UTG+1 ($6.21)
CO ($3.17)
BTN ($5)

Dealt to Hero Q♠ Q♥

Hero raises to $0.15, fold, CO calls $0.15, BTN raises to $0.55, fold, fold, Hero calls $0.40, CO calls $0.40

FLOP ($1.72) 8♣ T♦ 2♣

Hero checks, CO bets $0.60, BTN calls $0.60, Hero raises to $1.80, CO folds, BTN calls $1.20

TURN ($5.92) 8♣ T♦ 2♣ 7♥

Hero bets $2.65 (AI), BTN calls $2.65 (AI)

RIVER ($11.22) 8♣ T♦ 2♣ 7♥ 9♥

That dude got lucky on the river, but hey better it happens on NL5 than on NL500 right ♠_biggrin:

Unfortunately had no time to figure out a timetable because the exams at university are much more stressful than I have expected...but on Monday most of it is over and I will have plenty of time to study!

Moreover, I managed to reach the silver status, but I cheated uncouncessly...I deposited 10$ on Poker770 and PS awareded me 100 SP! I did not know about that promotion but anyway...it's good as it is!

Question for you:

What videos could you advise me to watch??? Maybe you know some videos that are suitable for a player on NL5 who wants to improve I am not so sure what would be most important to learn first in order to beat that limit - just noticed that players 3-bet a bit lighter than on NL5!

I would be thankful for every suggestion

here is my suggestion for your videos :

http://www.pokerstrategy.com/video/#searchtext=W34z3l's%20W0rksh0p

I know W34z3l' because he is my coach. just a great coach, his thoughts can change your game and makes it so much better.

@Alan883

Thanks for your advice - will watch one of them now

The shot to NL5 is not going that good so far! I lost almost 4 BIs by making some pretty stupid mistakes. I think that reason for that is:

not getting paid with monsters / everytime i have AA everybody folds before the flop
not running good
bit scared because of the differences moneywise
playing too many tables

Solution:

dont paying attention to not getting paid every time -> good thing is that my red line has improved hehe ♠_biggrin:
writing down why I think that I am running bad because that's a mindset issue for me
only thinking in BB and not actual money!
only playing 4-6 tables at once depending on my mood / concentration until I get really comfortable at NL5

Tomorrow I will post a timetable as I want to play more (almost off all week wuhu ) poker and also get the 10$ for 1000FPP!
I also want to study even more and play!!!

Printed out all the silver articles and want to learn them / watch videos (thank you again Alan883 ) Tomorrow will also be the day of my first real sweat session which I am really looking forward to ♠_love:

It's gonna be a busy poker week

I am really happy when i see guys like you that put so much effort into this wonderful game. I think basically all w34z3l's videos are very good for micro players like you and me of course:) (i am at NL16 currently). I think w34z3l can really show as the game in the way that we understand it and in a way that we are confident about our moves. So also if you will consider coachings some day i really recommend w34z3l.

Good luck at the tables....i really hope you will beat that NL5 and of course other higher limits as well.

@Alan883

Thanks a lot - wish you luck with crushing NL16 to the fullest
I dont know if I will ever consider coaching - probably yes, but I will push my BR more to be able to afford that

So a couple of friends and me spend the day at the lake Sun was shining and the water was really refreshing. Swam a lot in order to become a little bit more fit - have to think of a good plan to achieve that goal as it is not very easy ♦ Many people go to gyms but I really want to avoid that...

Bad thing is that I have the sickest sunburn ever i just feel the tension on my skin and will have to put on some lotion or something to get better. Also I have a little bit of an headache but I think that's the case because of a lack of water throughout the day

Cool thing is that I had my very first sweat session with livethelife7 today and I think is was quite cool although I often timed out because of talking to him. He is a really cool guy and probably a way better player than I am (used to play NL25)! Livethelife7 spotted some leaks that I will have to work on and I am really thankful for that

I also watched him playing and he got in 2 quite tough spots that he will probably post on the forum if he hasn't done it already (will post it later when I find it). Unfortunately, I had to leave early in order to help my father at work Would have loved to see him playing for a little bit longer!!!

So that's it for today - gonna look for some lotion as it really starts to hurt

So here is the thing:

I am gonna do one last session on NL5 today and if I dont win I am gonna drop down to NL2 again. Unfortunately, it seems that I just cant win a hand at the moment and I dont want to blow a big part of my BR by tilting or spewing money on a limit that may cost me too much atm

In fact, I never got paid with AA (everybody is just folding), never get paid with sets and so on ♠_evil: ...it just seems that I cant win a big pot even if I am way ahead I am beat on the river - but I am pretty happy about my game I dont think that I make that many mistakes and I consider it as a runbad (only a sample of about 2,5k hands)

Moreover, I will clear a 10$ bonus after my next session (only 5VPP to go) and even if I should have a losing session I will be able to remove the losses (stop loss -> 2BI)!

I also talked about setting up a timetable for the upcoming days and so I will.
I've been thinking about what exactly I want to do during the day and need to put it into some kind of "units" to be able to get the maximum out of it!

So the session did not go too well as I managed to lose almost 2 BI!
I am moving down to NL2 and hopfully will win back 2-3 BIs for NL5 and take another shot as I think that I can beat that limit as it is not that much of a difference!

It just seems that people on NL5 are a bit tighter according to VPIP/PFR! I was not really used to that and tried to change my style and 3-bet a bit lighter - with good success actually. Problem was that I almost lost every big hand I was involved in...

Last sesssion I ran into a set with AA (did not fold... so stupid ♠_evil: ) and shipped when I should not have shipped it - here is the hand that made me move down:

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.05(BB) Replayer
SB ($3.12)
Hero ($7.80)
UTG ($12.77)
UTG+1 ($5.03)
CO ($4.97)
BTN ($5)

Dealt to Hero A♠ A♥

fold, UTG+1 calls $0.05, CO raises to $0.10, fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.25, UTG+1 calls $0.20, CO calls $0.15

FLOP ($0.77) 9♥ Q♠ 2♦

Hero bets $0.45, UTG+1 calls $0.45, CO raises to $1.65, Hero raises to $7.55 (AI), UTG+1 calls $4.33 (AI), CO calls $3.07 (AI)

TURN ($15.05) 9♥ Q♠ 2♦ 8♦

RIVER ($15.05) 9♥ Q♠ 2♦ 8♦ K♠

Pre - Flop: Was still furious because of losing with AA and did not think of raising it to 35 or 40 - just wanted everybody to call!

Should have folded to the reraise but couldnt accept the fact that my Aces were beat again...

More work on mindset!!! I often still tend to call when I shouldnt and being under EV like 3BI (bit more) just tilted me I dont have so much experience with such a situation - just happned everytime I wanted to move up to NL5 so it made me go crazy

In fact it is not that bad because when you think of the money it is not that much - still, getting better is the main goal for every player at the micros cause the money is not that much of an issue there

Wish you all good luck fellas - ship it and crush 'em ♠_cool:

Hey buddy!
Tough luck on the hand! Make sure to get that in the hand evaluation forums so you can get some expert advice (for free!).

Run like da wind!

Before i start working today here are my 2 minutes for you.

I think that there is time to say to you something about graph....don't bother about lines at all. Being 3BI under EV is something you will experience all the time.

I suggest you to look at this video and you will see what variance is and what all can hit you. Mental Game: Goal Setting - Variance Affecting Our Calculations

We do have same feelings like you about not hitting board, beeing raised all the time when we hold junk and never when we hold premium. Even when we are raised with premium the hit something....but this is just partly true.

Variance is a thing that give money to fishes and variance is why we see have gamblers who enjoy their time at the table.

Here is just a wisdom from my coaching with w34z3l.

We had a sweating session and i shoved with AA when i was raised on turn on pretty dry board (He said fold and i was just curious if he is right and i shoved....villain had set of course He said than: AA is still just one pair.

Good luck mate.

Just my thoughts:

Originally posted by Rains7
Should have folded to the reraise but couldnt accept the fact that my Aces were beat again...

This shocked me. Your mindset is just soo soo bad. It's also way to result orientated. I think you really really have to change this fast. I think you don't understand the essence of poker. Poker is about making the max EV move time after time again. It's not important if you have 72o or AA, you have to think about what the correct play is based on your equity vs opponents range and all the including factors. You also way to in love with your hand. See it like this, if you have a really hot girlfriend who you really love, but know it's -ev to hold her because she cheats on you. Do you fold her?

I think it's not only a mindset problem but also a problem of learning not enough. You really have to look at your hand value(equity) differently pre and postflop. Learning more (but also try to understand it) really changes the way you look at poker and at the situations.

Originally posted by Rains7
In fact it is not that bad because when you think of the money it is not that much - still, getting better is the main goal for every player at the micros cause the money is not that much of an issue there

You absolutely right, but there is a difference between knowing it, and really have your mindset set to it. I think (also because I had a sweat session with you) that your in the fase of knowing it, but not have your mindset set by it. It's important to really understand it and be committed to it. Really try to improve your mindset. Also you seem very money scared. See it like an investment to make more money.

I hope this feedback helps you.

First of all, thanks guys for your motivation / thoughts /video!!!

Today I played two sessions and really really tried not being money scared and playing without any fear and here is the result:

I kept thinking about what you said and about my mindset (moneyscared and fear and just had a little look at TPMS and kept thinking for myself). In fact, I came to the conclusion that it is a game after all and I just want to win it so there is no reason to be afraid I guess...the only thing that can hold you back is your mind!

It is like in most cases in life that you need the right mindset ♠_confused:

I hope I will keep that up and that I wont be tilting because of that reason (fear / I just want to win that hand)! Moreover, I know that I still have to work a lot on it, but I guess it is a step towards the right direction

See it like this, if you have a really hot girlfriend who you really love, but know it's -ev to hold her because she cheats on you. Do you fold her?

I would probably play PUSH and then FOLD her if you know what I mean

Time for an update I guess

So I am currently in Vienna to visit a girl ♠_biggrin: The city is really great and tomorrow we are going to some nice places, but the weather wont be that good I think..anyway it's gonna be quite cool

As I've mentioned in my comment before my game has changed a bit and I am trying not to be moneyscared / fearing spots and it works out quite well so far my red line is improving drastically and so are my winnings until now

Problem is that I will stay in Vienna for at least 4 or 5 more days and have to go to Graz afterwards to help a friend with moving to another flat. Fortunately, I was mental enough to take the printed articles with me and I studied for 4 hours today as the trainride lasts that long...

So that's it for now - gonna do a little update tomorrow and tell you about the city

Time to wrap thing up for June:

Here are my goals for June:

Become a regular at NL5 (hopefully) as I am not quite rolled yet for NL5
Read The quick guide to skyrocketing your poker and life productivity and follow the instructions as I really think that I need that!!!
Become Silver member as I have 4$ left at 770Poker (10 daily bonus points so it should be possible I think - or I'll bust, we'll see )
Watch 2 videos every week (silver status would really help in this case)
Read 3 articles every week (again silver status needed)
Play 20k hands -> for sure this time
Go through "The mental game of poker I" again and write down most important parts and work on my game as suggested

Graph for the month:

Goals for July:

Become a rgeular at NL5
Set up a timetable (still have to figure out if I get my desired job or not)
Read 3 articles per week
Read the frist 15 chapter of Poker Math that matters
Become Silver Member again
Play 1 tournament a week (mostly for fun but trying to ship it ♠_biggrin: )
Read half of Jared Tendlder's 2nd book
Find a job
Play 25684 hands (added the ones that i skipped in June)
Study / Play some PLO

So that's it with the poker stuff...the holiday break finally began and I went to Vienna for a week to visit some friends and a veeery nice girl
Had a lot of fun there and even played some poker with a friend who plays PLO! He advised me to also learn about PLO cause he thinks that there are a lot more fish at the micros than there are at NLHE ♦ I guess he knows what he's talking about as he is a highstakes PLO player...

I still have to find a job for the summer - hopefully I am able to work at a company called "Mungos" again!!! I would only have to work 4 days a week and get 1,6k (€) for a month That would be really awsome!

So that's it for today - gonna play a little session now