Monkey Business

Hello FrozenElf.
Thanks for the support. I have seen your name on the front page a few times so I shall be following your blog too.
Love that video. esp when I have had a bad day it is nice to know I am not the only one!! Cheers me up greatly!

Last week has been more about the attempts rather than successes. I have found that many of my good hand I have had to give up due to sour boards during my cash game session.

Also I have had near missed with good hands and bad luck in all the tournaments I have played. For example.

Poker Stars $1.00+$1.00+$0.20 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t40/t80 Blinds - 9 players

BTN: t2140 26.75 BBs
SB: t5590 69.88 BBs
BB: t6101 76.26 BBs
Hero (UTG): t6327 79.09 BBs
UTG+1: t1645 20.56 BBs
UTG+2: t3520 44 BBs
MP1: t7333 91.66 BBs
MP2: t920 11.50 BBs
CO: t4534 56.67 BBs

Pre Flop: (t120) Hero is UTG with A♣ A♠
Hero raises to t240, 4 folds, CO calls t240, 1 fold, SB calls t200, BB calls t160

Flop: (t960) 5♣ 7♥ 9♣ (4 players)
SB bets t80, BB raises to t640, Hero raises to t1800, CO raises to t4294 all in, SB folds, BB folds, Hero calls t2494

Turn: (t10268) 8♦ (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: (t10268) A♥ (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: t10268
Hero shows A♣ A♠ (three of a kind, Aces)
CO shows 6♥ 8♥ (a straight, Five to Nine)
CO wins t10268

That's Poker!

I really think I need to cut back on the amount I am loosing on PFR and C-BET when I comes to AK and no hit on the flop.

I think I need to look at the board texture, the villain play style and my own position more.

This is my task for the coming week to get better at playing AK.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players -

UTG+1: $10.00
UTG+2: $30.07
MP1: $27.91
MP2: $25.87
CO: $25.00
BTN: $29.54
Hero (SB): $25.00
BB: $25.00
UTG: $50.81

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with A K
4 folds, MP2 raises to $0.70, 2 folds, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $4, Hero calls $2

Flop: ($8.25) 8 7 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $4, MP2 calls $4

Turn: ($16.25) 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $7.80, Hero folds

Getting paid off on AA vs KK. A hand I wish happened more often!

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players -
MP1: $26.25
MP2: $25.00
Hero (CO): $25.78
BTN: $32.30
SB: $33.93
BB: $25.00
UTG: $25.00
UTG+1: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with A A
2 folds, MP1 raises to $0.70, MP2 calls $0.70, Hero raises to $2.75, 1 fold, SB raises to $6, 3 folds, Hero raises to $19.65, SB raises to $33.93 all in, Hero calls $6.13 all in

Flop: ($53.21) 4 Q 9 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($53.21) 2 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($53.21) 2 (2 players - 2 are all in)

I read this article the other day about the next venue for WSOPE.
Where should it be next? well I would love to see WSOPE hosted
here in my county. I have lived for nearly all my life in Cornwall.
Located in the south west of the UK It would be great to have such an event
hosted here.

For starters Cornwall has a rich history. From the Celtic roots to being engineering pioneers in rail, steam and mining to the naval history and my favorite, pirates!
With outstanding beauty and sandy beaches, Cornwall has hosted some of the top events. Sailing world cups. Tall ships, Board masters surfing championships to name a few. As for venues there are a great number to choose from, for example the Eden project, Headland hotel (roald dahl, witches film). Pendennis castle or even lands end! What ever time of the year, you will always find something going on.
Cornwall also has a Airport! One of the longest runways in the UK (2744m). able to support aircraft of any size (inc Boeing 747 and Airbus A380) with regular flights from major UK airports. To give you a sneak peak of just my local area here is a video I made over the last summer while out canoeing around the river Fowey.
I made a new friend also this year. She has been stalking me most of the time I have been canoeing and I finally managed to catch her on camera! (2.50 in the video)

Tomorrow I shall finish off this weeks blog with my plan for the week ahead and some more hands.

Good luck at the tables.

Matt

Hey monkey,

You said you would like to get better at playing AK, Is there a reason why you called a 4bet OOP? I would fold vs a 4bet without any information on the player, if we look at this here I put in equilab for you, AK vs a 4bet range of TT+ AK+ witch I think is rather loose, I think the range is more likely to be QQ+ AK+. in most cases, I know its easy to say afterwards

http://www.pokerstrategy.com
Equity Win Tie
MP2 41.14% 28.13% 13.01% { AKs, AKo }
MP3 58.86% 45.85% 13.01% { TT+, AKs, AKo }

Another thing about AK in 3bet pots ive found, That vs weaker players that call 3bets with hands like KQ AJ AQ KJs and suited connectors, that just don't seem to fold to a cbet lol, its pretty frustrating to bet the flop then have to check fold, I find its better to check back the flop and call, or 1/2 pot bet the turn if checked again to you, for that cheap showdown, this way we pick up some pots with A high, and steal on the turn, rather then betting flop and getting bluffed off on the river. The thing is I play 6max so im unfamiliarly with that style of 9man, im guessing the ranges will be pretty much the same, maybe tighter. That's why Im towards folding vs a 4bet even more so

Like the hand you played, if the player does 4bet bluff a lot of hands like Kx Ax, wouldn't it be better again to check call the flop, since that just misses his range mostly, if we bet then check our perceived range looks very weak, where as if we check call our hand looks like a monster OP TT+ a thinking player will be reluctant to bet as a bluff again vs this perceived range, since if the player is 4bet bluffing blockers, he will be a thinking player, so all the AX and KX hands gets checked to showdown where the top of the range will bet the turn and we can just fold.

Another thing ive found is, when you start blatantly exploiting players, they play back with 4bet bluffs a lot, I guess this is there way of telling you "I know your trying to take the piss out of me, now pack it in" I think we should slow down with 3bet bluffs, when this happens, unless of course you like this style of play

Hey monkey,
i really like to real in your blog.

The best luck @ the tables - i will follow u

Btw: Nice surroundings on the pictures

Hello all,

And hello LoBrue. Welcome to my blog. And thank you for following.

Been a bit of a fair day today. Not great. On the plus side I am only down by under half a buy in.

I have made some elementary mistakes today.
Many thanks to FrozenElf for the feedback from my AK hand. I have taken it all into account and adjusted my play today and had better results.

In response to your post about your mental game, I wish I had more experience to help you. In November I will be starting my 30 days to make a habit. I have learnt a lot but I know my game is slipping and that I need to go back to the very start to iron out my leaks and improve on my overall operation when it comes to running my poker as a business!
I have found over the past few months that in my personal life I have not been disciplined in many areas which help my game which im sure resulted in bad decisions at the table.

I found myself in a auto pilot mode most of today resulting in some really bad decisions and giving some free cards to my opponents. I must stop checking the turn! Why I did this I have no idea! Some times I find myself playing with a tourney mind at the tables.
For example.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players
Hero (BTN): $25.00
SB: $26.11
BB: $25.00
UTG: $29.49
UTG+1: $25.00
UTG+2: $31.28
MP1: $25.00
MP2: $29.08
CO: $14.09

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with K K
5 folds, CO raises to $0.75, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, CO calls $1.50

Flop: ($4.85) 5 9 Q (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3, CO raises to $6, Hero calls $3

Turn: ($16.85) 8 (2 players)
CO checks, Hero checks

River: ($16.85) J (2 players)
CO bets $5.84 all in, Hero calls $5.84

Final Pot: $28.53
Hero shows K K (a pair of Kings)
CO shows T A (a straight, Eight to Queen)
CO wins $27.25
(Rake: $1.28)

=============

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players
CO: $20.72
Hero (BTN): $30.06
SB: $28.11
BB: $25.20
UTG: $25.00
UTG+1: $25.33
MP1: $27.29
MP2: $26.44

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with A 8
5 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, SB calls $0.65, 1 fold

Flop: ($1.75) 8 6 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.83, SB calls $0.83

Turn: ($3.41) K (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($3.41) 8 (2 players)
SB bets $2.44, Hero raises to $6.51, SB calls $4.07

Final Pot: $16.43
Hero shows A 8 (three of a kind, Eights)
SB shows A Q (a flush, Ace high)
SB wins $15.69
(Rake: $0.74)

============

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

BTN: $7.56
SB: $25.10
BB: $12.53
UTG: $22.20
UTG+1: $46.80
UTG+2: $24.40
MP1: $38.12
Hero (MP2): $25.70
CO: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP2 with 8♥ 8♠
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, 1 fold, BTN raises to $2.80, 2 folds, Hero calls $2.05

Flop: ($5.95) 9♥ J♠ 5♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $4.76 all in, Hero calls $4.76

Turn: ($15.47) A♠ (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($15.47) T♠ (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $15.47
BTN shows Q♥ Q♣ (a pair of Queens)
Hero shows 8♥ 8♠ (a pair of Eights)
BTN wins $14.77
(Rake: $0.70)

Tomorrow I will spend a bit of time going over my lesson plans for the next few weeks and reviewing my play for the past month.
Good luck at the tables

Matt

So today Is a much better day as you can see from my graph. Although I have had some mighty bad beats which was a shame as I was up two buy ins with in my first 200 hands! (The lord giveth, then taketh!)
Overall my spirit is better and I was not auto piloting today. I spent a good 200 hands on one table today due to a maniac sitting next to me who made and lost so much I lost count!

Question: Do you think that MP was bluffing and trying to push me off or is it common practice to stack off pf with AK? I some times see this kind of action from really tight players just like MP.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players

SB: $51.74
BB: $25.00
Hero (UTG): $25.00
UTG+1: $19.15
MP: $25.00
CO: $66.93
BTN: $32.17

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with A♠ A♣
Hero raises to $0.75, 1 fold, MP raises to $2.25, 4 folds, Hero raises to $7.10, MP raises to $25 all in, Hero calls $17.90 all in

Flop: ($50.35) 8♠ J♣ K♦ (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($50.35) 2♣ (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($50.35) 7♣ (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $50.35
Hero shows A♠ A♣ (a pair of Aces)
MP shows A♥ K♠ (a pair of Kings)
Hero wins $48.35
(Rake: $2.00)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

BTN: $29.37
SB: $25.77
BB: $28.90
UTG: $10.00
UTG+1: $50.34
Hero (MP1): $25.00
MP2: $30.67
CO: $34.53

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP1 with K♦ K♣
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, 1 fold, CO raises to $1.50, 3 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, CO raises to $3, Hero raises to $25 all in, CO calls $22

Flop: ($50.35) T♣ 3♥ 4♦ (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($50.35) 2♠ (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($50.35) 8♣ (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $50.35
Hero shows K♦ K♣ (a pair of Kings)
CO shows A♠ Q♥ (high card Ace)
Hero wins $48.35
(Rake: $2.00)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

CO: $24.15
BTN: $30.92
SB: $24.75
BB: $16.74
UTG: $37.12
Hero (UTG+1): $49.46
MP1: $25.00
MP2: $59.82

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG+1 with A♣ A♠
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.75, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.75, 3 folds, BB calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.35) J♣ T♠ 7♣ (3 players)
BB bets $0.54, Hero calls $0.54, MP2 calls $0.54

Turn: ($3.97) K♣ (3 players)
BB bets $0.88, Hero calls $0.88, MP2 calls $0.88

River: ($6.61) 3♣ (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3.15, MP2 calls $3.15, BB folds

Final Pot: $12.91
Hero shows A♣ A♠ (a flush, Ace high)
MP2 mucks 7♦ 6♣
Hero wins $12.33
(Rake: $0.58)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

Hero (BB): $29.72
UTG: $37.16
UTG+1: $28.36
MP1: $27.55
MP2: $45.51
CO: $25.35
BTN: $26.45
SB: $25.35

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with A♥ K♥
4 folds, CO raises to $0.62, BTN raises to $2.25, 1 fold, Hero calls $2, 1 fold

Flop: ($5.22) 3♥ K♦ J♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $3.32, Hero calls $3.32

Turn: ($11.86) Q♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $5.66, BTN folds

Final Pot: $11.86
Hero wins $11.33
(Rake: $0.53)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

SB: $40.39
Hero (BB): $25.00
UTG: $13.99
UTG+1: $52.04
UTG+2: $8.65
MP1: $25.35
MP2: $29.78
CO: $25.00
BTN: $29.71

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 4♥ 4♦
7 folds, SB raises to $0.50, Hero calls $0.25

Flop: ($1.00) 4♠ 6♥ K♥ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.50, SB calls $0.50

Turn: ($2.00) 3♦ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.50, SB raises to $4.50, Hero calls $3

River: ($11.00) Q♠ (2 players)
SB bets $9.75, Hero calls $9.75

Final Pot: $30.50
SB shows 2♠ 5♦ (a straight, Deuce to Six)
Hero mucks 4♥ 4♦
SB wins $29.13
(Rake: $1.37)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

BB: $25.00
Hero (UTG): $25.00
UTG+1: $34.70
MP1: $25.15
MP2: $30.36
CO: $28.10
BTN: $55.51
SB: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with A♠ K♥
Hero raises to $0.75, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.75, 3 folds, SB raises to $3.30, 1 fold, Hero calls $2.55, MP1 calls $2.55

Flop: ($10.15) 9♥ A♥ 9♣ (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $4.84, MP1 folds, SB calls $4.84

Turn: ($19.83) T♣ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($19.83) 8♣ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $19.83
Hero mucks A♠ K♥
SB shows A♦ A♣ (a full house, Aces full of Nines)
SB wins $18.94
(Rake: $0.89)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

MP2: $29.58
CO: $10.43
Hero (BTN): $25.15
SB: $25.27
BB: $24.78
UTG: $48.00
UTG+1: $29.53
MP1: $27.19

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with 8♠ 8♦
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.75, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.75, SB calls $0.65, 1 fold

Flop: ($2.50) 4♥ 8♣ 9♠ (3 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 bets $1.19, Hero calls $1.19, SB folds

Turn: ($4.88) K♣ (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $3.25, UTG+1 raises to $27.59 all in, Hero calls $19.96 all in

River: ($51.30) K♦ (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $51.30
Hero shows 8♠ 8♦ (a full house, Eights full of Kings)
UTG+1 shows 9♥ 9♣ (a full house, Nines full of Kings)
UTG+1 wins $49.30
(Rake: $2.00)

Full house over full house. Never mind.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

MP2: $29.58
CO: $10.43
Hero (BTN): $25.15
SB: $25.27
BB: $24.78
UTG: $48.00
UTG+1: $29.53
MP1: $27.19

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with 8♠ 8♦
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.75, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.75, SB calls $0.65, 1 fold

Flop: ($2.50) 4♥ 8♣ 9♠ (3 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 bets $1.19, Hero calls $1.19, SB folds

Turn: ($4.88) K♣ (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $3.25, UTG+1 raises to $27.59 all in, Hero calls $19.96 all in

River: ($51.30) K♦ (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $51.30
Hero shows 8♠ 8♦ (a full house, Eights full of Kings)
UTG+1 shows 9♥ 9♣ (a full house, Nines full of Kings)
UTG+1 wins $49.30
(Rake: $2.00)

Overall I am happy with today's performance and other than cash I played and lost 6 spin and go games.
Had top hands busted in all games. Never mind, cant win them all.

Tomorrow I have decided to continue with the next part of 'The quick guide to skyrocketing your (poker) productivity' section 3) physical energy. Also refine Habits and goals work sheet. I know I have been a bit slack and need to get back to working on the learning side before I begin my 30 days to make a habit in November.

Good Luck at the tables.

Matt

If you are looking for motivation, follow metalmonkey80, who has a very detailed blog covering mindset, poker, hard work and quitting bad habits.

Since starting the Bank Roll Challenge I have found it productive, I have found other members advice very useful and have tried to put this into action. This has been one of the greatest benefits to me since I have become a more active member of the community.

For the next few weeks and for the first part of my 30 days to make a habit I will be working my way though Schnitzelfisch video seriesHow to Balance Your Life in 10 Minutes a Week

Over the past few months I have upgraded to windows 10. My main issue with this is the affect it has had on HM2. ever since upgrading I have had slight issue. Today HM2 is not tracking my hands in active session nor in reports. The HUD is working. The problem is in windows wanting to install updates and just resetting when ever it needs without warning. This action knocks out Poker Stars and HM2.
My main though is to reset to a earlier version of windows over the next few day

cash results for today
Down: $53.76
BR: $756
Hands: around 850

At one point I was at $805! in the last few minutes I had 2 bad beats with AA. The last of them was an all in pf MP. Villain MP J9. Board 9,9,2,9,6!
The other all in pf was against AK and villain hit two kings on the flop. Over all I am happy with my day even though I am down.

Not been able to do any cash tables today. Had a routine visit to the dentist only to learnt that I am in need of a bit of work. SHOCK HORROR! I hate needles. Esp 12 injections into my gums to numb up! But on the plus side at least the treatment didn't hurt!
So I am sitting here Numbed up and at a loose end playing some tournaments and fpp satellites.

Played 2 PROGS and cashed one. $3.30 : 406 out of 5242 $3.22 + $2.63 KO bounty.
PCA 11c satellite to phase 2. Won ticket to phase 2 then first hand QQ all in lost to AK.

Made a few notes on the next section of the guide today which I will update as I work though the sections.

3. Physical energy

Schnitzelfisch Talks about how Physical energy being the basis for every thing else we do.
"You cannot achieve optimal concentration, focus and energy without the proper physical fitness."
And also because it is GOOD FOR US!
My plan with physical fitness over the 30 days is to build up slowly, but regularly!
I will separate each part of the body and work out a routine that builds over time on each part.

This in turn will help with areas on sleep, concentration and learning.
The need to make a proper nutrition plan is very important to maximize on my optimum energy.
I will cover this over the next few weeks.

3.1 WATER

65% of men & 55% of women bodies are made up of water.
Daily we should be drinking at least 6 pints of water.
My aim is to 1. Drink a pint of water every 1 hour.
2. get a bottle to keep with me at all times.
3. Keep a jug filled up at all times in the fridge.

3.2 Coffee

My Achilles heel! I use to run a hotel bar and we had a very good coffee machine like you would find
in a coffee shop. I would take full advantage of this! having around 10+ cups / mugs a day with 2-3 sugars in each cup.
This has continued to about last week. So this part of the plan is going to be the hardest for me, harder than quitting smoking!
The effect of drugs on the body are tremendous in our ability to perform every day tasks. And coffee is a drug! it is one the body can get hooked on!
NASA performed a study a few years ago on the effect of various drugs on spiders and their abllity to make a web. Left Normal : Right Caffeine

Very interesting study worth reading! you can find it HERE.

I also need to point out about Tea! A cup of Tea can contain a lot of Tanine and should also be cut down on. Tea, as well as containing caffeine also contains Tanine.
The stronger the tea the more Tanine there is. Tanine counters
the caffeine, so for example if you made weak tea then you'd
probably have as much caffeine in it as a mild cup of coffee.

3.3 Nutrition

High Energy foods
Good carbs / Bad carbs
5 meals a day
Breakfast!
Foods that heal and foods that harm
Preparation.
Avoid ready meals.
Take time to pre make your weekly meal plan.
Fish
Pasta
Sugar! alternative Honey! good for immune system defense and natural sugar
fruit and vegetables
lean meat, fish, eggs, low fat diary
Nuts

Had a better grind today! Although I haven't made a massive amount like in previous grinds this month, I am in the plus.

I have managed to get HM2 working today after it just wouldn't load. I backed up the directory to a temp drive and when any issue happens the quickest way to fix it for me is to just copy the back up over the original files.

Also had a really weird promotion happen today when I was playing on PS. If i was able to play 175 hand in 10 minutes I would be awarded $20 in spin and go tickets! I only managed to play 25! no way am I going to achieve this and It wouldn't make sense to try!

nice blogs and nice pics

subbed

one advice though towards your mental game. forget about the bad beats; they happen, there is nothing you can do about them. Focussing on them will only affect your game negatively and affect your decision. During your play just focus on your current decision; after the play focus on your bad decision and what you should have done.

If you made the good decision and lost a buy in, well good... keep making the right decision and you'll print money.

Not a bad day today. I managed to do some good volume!
Tomorrow is my last day of freedom before I start my 30 Days! Looking forward to good health and a positive structured plan which I will post the full details of on Sunday.

Great poker show tonight and I look forward to listening to Jarad Tendler Mental game of poker over the next few weeks!
From now on I won't be continuing the 'BAD BEATS' part of my blog.

one advice though towards your mental game. forget about the bad beats; they happen, there is nothing you can do about them. Focussing on them will only affect your game negatively and affect your decision.

Good advice, and something I hadn't really thought about.

GL at the tables.

Matt

Quite a good week over all. I feel ready to make new habits and to really make a difference to my poker life and business.
On Saturday I played a few tournaments ($4.40, $3.30 $2.20 PROGSKO) No cashes but $1 knock out! Never mind.
Cash wise this week I am in the plus and up by $66.15 after 4293 hands. BR stands at $758.73.

The weather was really nice today which is rare for November! With that in mind I went down to the river for a final canoe of the year.
During the weekends I decided in my plan to have them off from cash grinds and play tournaments or just relax instead.
In regards to the plan of action my Drill list is to start with easy, every day tasks and then add more to the list over the next 30 days. My fear is to over load my self with too much and fail.

Hate leaving this in the state it is in! Will work though it next week.
Strategy Sections

Hopefully in the next week I can increase the volume of hands I do each day. I feel ready to have 6 tables going rather than 4. played with 5 - 6 tables last week and coped alright!

Tomorrow I need to make some VAPE flavors. I also will do a tutorial on this as making your own VAPE bring the cost of quitting smoking really low!

November 2nd

Good start to the 30 days/ Although I didn't get up as early as I wanted, I did achieve most of the drill list.
My grind for the day was also steady.

I really need to get a expenses sheet needed as I am not keeping account of my BR when playing non cash tables.
From now on I will keep a record each day of my starting BR on my blog.

November 3rd

BR $791.26

Weird play from a reg. Did everything correctly here I believe. Just bad luck.
Villain I have played a lot and is a rock. He only plays the top range and didn't put him on TJs esp with the re-raise pf.
Had him on A9/T + or pair of 99 higher. Hat off to his back door straight! good play.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players

UTG: $35.20
Hero (UTG+1): $25.35
MP1: $24.00
MP2: $29.12
CO: $36.46
BTN: $24.65
SB: $24.56
BB: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG+1 with 9♣ 9♦
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.75, 3 folds, BTN raises to $2.20, 2 folds, Hero calls $1.45

Flop: ($4.75) 3♠ 8♣ 9♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $2.50, Hero calls $2.50

Turn: ($9.75) K♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $4.65, BTN calls $4.65

River: ($19.05) 7♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $9.09, BTN raises to $15.30 all in, Hero calls $6.21

Final Pot: $49.65
Hero shows 9♣ 9♦ (three of a kind, Nines)
BTN shows T♣ J♣ (a straight, Seven to Jack)
BTN wins $47.65
(Rake: $2.00)

He metalmonkey80,

I thought you wanted to post one update on each day of the month! Combining is cheating! Think about the habbits!

Had him on A9/T + or pair of 99 higher

Oh, and this is the reason why you donk the turn? So that he maybe can fold his AT,AJ,AQ,TT, JJ & QQ ?

Hi SvenBe,

Well pointed! I didn't leave my self enough time yesterday to update my blog. My mother in-law has said she will be my accountability buddy! With her help I know I can't get away with slips like this again! This is another good example of why I should be doing this, hopefully by the end I will see a lot more organizational skills!
Looking back on the hand you are right. I need to take more time in working these possibilities out. This is one major leak I must work on over the next few weeks.
Thank you for your advice.

Matt

November 4th

"If you're a bit more on the trepid side about traveling to Mexico, start your weekend at the touristy Rosarito Beach Hotel…. — Barbara Zaragoza, The San Diego Reader, 9 Apr. 2015

BR:$ $729.79

Today has been better. Got up at the right time for starters! Although today is a right off when it comes to poker.
My main tasks today are.

:spade:Shopping
:heart:Make a cake Death by chocolate / mud cake & Death by Chocolate Cup Cakes!
:club: Post picture of cake in complete state!
:diamond:Try and do some hands.
:club:Birthday party for friend.

Yesterday I had a good session on the tables and beat the rake which is what I aim for. During that session I had a few bad beats and feel I have made a massive step in not letting it bother me. So no tilt. in fact the session was fun.
If any one has a sweet tooth I will post the recipe I used for the cake later today. It's a easy recipe and I hope a really nice and rich taste!
In a previous blog I spoke of a 'how to' for making your own vape. I am aiming to post this on Saturday. If you have any questions about vape message me and I will do my best to answer your questions in the post.

May I add a task: "Post a picture of the death by chocolate" - i have many colleagues here that i want to make jealous!

EOD Results
BR: $794.80
Well I got all my tasks done for today! Feeling very full and somewhat ill from eating to much chocolate! Worth it.
Did 50 hands in between. $2.01 up.

INGREDIENTS

250g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
200g dark chocolate
1 tbsp espresso powder
100ml whole milk
250g self-raising flour
40g cocoa powder
250g caster sugar
4 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
150ml soured cream

For the ganache

150g milk chocolate
150g dark chocolate
100ml double cream
50g unsalted butter

METHOD

01.Preheat the oven to 160°C/fan140°C/gas 3. Grease and line a deep, 23cm round loose-bottomed cake tin, then set aside. Melt the chocolate, butter, espresso powder and milk in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water until smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside.
02.Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a bowl, then add the caster sugar. Fold into the chocolate mixture along with the eggs, vanilla extract and soured cream.
03. Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake in the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. The cake is ready when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with some moist crumbs sticking to it but not any raw cake batter. Set aside to cool completely in the tin.
04.To make the ganache, melt the ingredients together, stirring occasionally, in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Set aside to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove the cake from the tin and leave to cool. Spread evenly all over with the ganache, swirling it into attractive patterns.