Chrafting Bridges - PokerStars Campaign Mode

Originally posted by ChraftyBridges
THE BREAKDOWN
A challenge of this magnitude is pretty heavy on the psyche. And so breaking it down into chunks seems like the logical way to go. The plan consists of three main phases, with each phase being separated into six stages of progression. The overall layout looks like this:

STARTING BANKROLL: $250.00
__The Six Stages__
PHASE ONE GOAL: $1,000.00
__The Six Stages__
PHASE TWO GOAL: $5,000.00
__The Six Stages__
PHASE THREE GOAL: $25,000.00
__The Six Stages__

STAGE ONE - PREPARATION (The planning stage. Laying the foundations, setting goals and prioritizing)
STAGE TWO - IMPLEMENTATION (Putting the plan into action. Test, practice, and develop a rhythm)
STAGE THREE - OPTIMIZATION (Build momentum. Analyze, adjust, and adapt. Get into "the zone" and find your "flow")
STAGE FOUR - EXECUTION (Finish the job. Persist, persevere, and accept no excuses, only results)
STAGE FIVE - CELEBRATION (Sweet victory! Give it the attention it deserves. Reward yourself)
STAGE SIX - EXPANSION (Explore new challenges. Software/hardware upgrades? Raise the bar)

Coming up on the ten-week point of the campaign, I figured I'd zoom out for a minute and see how my progress looked from a wider perspective. As you can see above, we're moving along slowly (but surely!), and if you discount the five and a half week hiatus I took between week-two and week-seven, we're actually pushing forward at a relatively brisk pace.

Stage Four is on the horizon and I could potentially advance to it this weekend if things shake out favorably. But first thing's first - optimizing my play for the games I'm currently grinding.

I don't know if there's any real "right" way to do this, but personally, my method consists of a four-part process:

PART ONE - ANALYZE (Establish a baseline, gather the relevant information, ask the relevant questions)
PART TWO - THEORIZE (Create ideas and strategies for improvement)
PART THREE - PRACTICE (Put ideas/strategies into action, get a feel for their viability)
PART FOUR - CALIBRATE (Make the necessary adjustments until optimal balance has been achieved)

THE OPTIMIZATION CHECKLIST

• Dissect tournament structures (Know your games inside and out - Blinds/antes/pace/ITM chip average/FT chip average, etc.)
• Establish an adaptable pre-flop hand range (Taking situational tournament variables into account - stage, stacks, opposition, etc.)
• Standardize bet amounts (Mostly for opens and isos. Fix bet slider buttons accordingly)
• Establish a gear-shift strategy (Again, taking situational tournament variables into account)
• Regulate tournament schedule (The goal is to breed consistency while playing to my strengths. Time, structure, field size - which ones fit?)
• Establish habitual routines (Pre-game, in-game and post-game. Again, consistency is the goal)

Some of this list has been tackled already, but there's still lots of work to do. I've left some extra space at the bottom of the list because this is going to be a very fluid process, and if I discover another avenue I can improve upon, then I'll explore that road too. This is my first run through with the method, so we'll see how it takes. I'll come back here and update this post as necessary.

That's it for now though. I'd love to dive in deeper on some of these concepts, but I'm just too short on time once again...

Have yourselves a wonderful weekend folks!

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (13/150)
My summertime jam right here...

The volume's a little shallow on the Sheepy video. So try SoundCloud if you want to get that box boomin'! - https://soundcloud.com/theknocks/classic-1

The volume's a little shallow on the Sheepy video. So try SoundCloud if you want to get that box boomin'! - https://soundcloud.com/theknocks/classic-1/blockquote >
My ears are bleeding, but I am happy ! Absolute classic

Originally posted by metalmonkey80

The volume's a little shallow on the Sheepy video. So try SoundCloud if you want to get that box boomin'! - https://soundcloud.com/theknocks/classic-1/blockquote >
My ears are bleeding, but I am happy ! Absolute classic

lol glad you're feelin' the jam!

"Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy." - Saadi

Gonna keep it short and sweet today...

The week started off really well, but Sunday was a nightmare - I went 0-for-22 in tournament cashes. I can't remember the last time I went that long without a single ITM... It was pretty demoralizing to have such a promising week end in that manner, but it's the experiences like that that offer some of the greatest learning opportunities.

After getting butchered all day yesterday, I was exhausted and slept like a baby last night. I woke up refreshed this morning and got to work on my game right away - aiming to crystallize exactly what went wrong, and how I was going ensure that it doesn't happen again.

It was a productive day! I wish I could share the details with you but this is all the time I have for tonight unfortunately.

In parting, let me leave you with a blog post that I stumbled upon awhile back. Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed by the task in front of me, I head back to this post and give'r a read - it puts me back in the right frame of mind every time:

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out.

Have a beautiful week everybody!

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (14/150)
Just discovered this one the other day, and it really struck a chord. Diggin' that dreamy vibe...

"Deadlines refine the mind. They remove variables like exotic materials and processes that take too long. The closer the deadline, the more likely you'll start thinking waaay outside the box." - Adam Savage

Sorry for the missed write-up on Friday, but hey, better late than never, right?

It's almost time for the campaign to advance from Stage Three: Optimization to Stage Four: Execution. In preparation for the next step I've made another bankroll management adjustment, this time for two reasons:

#1) I'm on an MTT downswing of about 50 BI's and forgot how hard it can be to maneuver through these large fields with regularity. To combat the variance, I've removed the bigger MTT buy-in's ($5.50's and $7.50's) from Phase One altogether, and will keep my focus on crushing MTSNGs - adding a few micro stakes MTTs here and there - until I graduate to the next phase.

#2) I've begun looking forward to Phase Two, and have a deadline set for Phase One's completion - Sunday, June 24th, 2018. Wanting to take a peek at what the next level had in store, I created an initial draft for what a Phase Two bankroll management strategy should look like. Putting it down in writing provided a clearer perspective on Phase One's purpose; which is all about solidifying the fundamentals of tournament poker, defining a playstyle, and developing consistency through habit so that I can transition seamlessly, and maintain forward momentum going into the next phase of the plan. Displacing the $5.50 and $7.50 MTTs felt like the right decision here, and they look like a much better fit where they are in the new bankroll management structure...

Here's the updated Phase One bankroll management, along with the newly minted Phase Two bankroll management:

Part of the reason I chose to play tournaments over cash games in the first place was because I like having something tangible to aim for (i.e. 1st place prize money). I feel like I work harder, and smarter, when the path in front of me is laid out and defined. My brain functions better when there's a clear goal in mind. And I just found out that rhyming is fun. So this next week should be an interesting one...

In closing, I'd just like to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there - none of us would be here without ya.

Have a good one folks!

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (15/150)
I like the song. Love the music video...

"Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs." - Vaclav Havel

The plans have been laid, the strategy tested, and the details refined... it's time to get the job done!

This stage is a pretty simple one - it's all about work ethic. I already know what needs to be done, and for the most part, how to do it. Now the focus is squarely on putting in a lot of quality hours.

So what makes up a quality hour?

- Playing in a strong mental state (come to the table with a winning attitude and re-frame your mindset if it ever does veer off track)
- Exercising optimal game selection (stick to your strengths - the games you can crush)
- Staying within your bankroll's psychological risk tolerance (find a balance between conservation and advancement)
- Being present (play in the moment - avoid ruminating on the past, or getting too far ahead of yourself)
- Maintaining your focus (pay attention, be aware of your surroundings, think through decisions and stay off auto-pilot)
- Remaining emotionally neutral (don't get too high, don't get too low)
- Consistently executing your game-plan (make good decisions, play your "A-game" from start to finish)

In the heat of battle it can be difficult to manage all of the above, but no one said this was going to be easy!

It's my belief that as long as you honestly give the best of yourself as often as possible, then good things are bound to come your way eventually. I'm going to put that belief to the test this week...

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (16/150)
I always picture that scene from Swordfish when this song comes on...

Just about sums up every tournament session I've ever played:

"Life is a long lesson in humility." - James M. Barrie

Ahh regression - how I loathe you so...

At the moment, I am in the midst of a MASSIVE downswing. Without boring you with all the details of the bad beats and the ensuing monkey tilt, I think It's pretty safe to conclude that I tried to push things forward a little prematurely. My game was not as refined as I believed it to be, and so it's back to the drawing board to find the holes and plug them before I take on too much water...

This isn't my first rodeo - I've been through a few downswings before. At first it just seems like a bit of variance, but when it continues for a sustained period of time the doubts begin to creep into your mind and your confidence starts to erode. Then, if it hasn't happened already, your play begins to deteriorate and things just get worse and worse and worse... It gets to the point where you're running badly (out of your control) AND playing badly (within your control) AND losing your mind (definitely within your control). Which, needless to say, is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your bankroll.

There are a few things I've learned to do after I recognize that I'm on a downswing. The most important of them is to focus on the things that I can control:

- Take a technology break. Step away from the computer/tv/phone, even if just for an afternoon, and get out into nature. I love the beach - the cool breeze off the water, the sand pouring through my hands, and the beautiful views... I always come home feeling refreshed.
- Do something for somebody else. Poker can feel like a very solitary pursuit sometimes, so make it a point to go out of your way to make someone's day, or work on a project for a friend, or cook a nice meal for your gf/bf/roommate. Spread the love! and bank some good Karma for yourself in the process.
- Book a win. Any win. However small. One of the worst aspects of a downswing is what it can do to your confidence and self-belief, and in turn, losing can become a habit. The most important thing is to find a win somewhere in your life and reintroduce the taste of victory to your palate. It doesn't have to expressly involve winning, it just has to be something that makes you feel like a winner again. Personally, I'll put in a huge workout and push my body to the limits. Hell, just getting myself to even work out at all is a win in my books. Afterwards, I always feel that positive energy flowing again.
- Drop down in stakes. This is a tough one because it's like an admission of defeat. But this is probably the most important thing to do in the midst of a downer, especially if the bankroll is in any sort of jeopardy. Don't let your ego get the best of you - drop down, ride out the variance, and book that win! Your current limit will still be there when your game gets back on track.
- Keep things simple. It's natural to want to find a solution when things aren't going well, but you can sometimes do more harm than good, especially if you're over-complicating, overcompensating, and overthinking. If I was a winning player before, then I shouldn't need to make any rash changes to my game. Instead, I usually just like to take things down a notch and get back to fundamentally sound poker. I'll play less tables so I can pay better attention to table flow and can properly think through decisions and lines. I'll even turn off the HUD for a session, try it organically, and see if my game solidifies. If so, then maybe I was becoming too dependent on the HUD stats and auto-piloting in a way. Overall, the goal is to regain my footing and strengthen the foundations that made me successful in the first place.

The good thing about downswings is that they wouldn't exist without upswings! So now it's up to me to do the work and get swingin' in the right direction again.

Have a wonderful weekend folks!

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (17/150)

What a great time for Joe Ingram and Phil Galfond to make a video about how to deal with and escape a downswing...

Two of my favorite poker personalities, and overall just genuinely good dudes looking to help out. I needed this. Thanks fellas!

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” - Rocky Balboa

That's about as soul-crushing of a week as I've ever experienced. But I don't feel beaten (not anymore at least - yesterday was a different story). Right now I feel more motivated than I have in a looooong time.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong. But I know one thing is for sure - it wasn't just a bad run of cards or an unlucky streak. For a lot of the week I beat myself through undisciplined play and mental breakdowns. There's no excuse for the way I conducted business last week...

That's all in the rear view now though. Time to gear up and get right back at it.

Fire it up!

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (18/150)

"Build. Destroy. Rebuild. I’ve mastered the art of bouncing back. Now to master the art of not having to." - Dau Voire

It was a solid bounce back week, but I had to withdraw a chunk of money to take care of some financial priorities. And so it's back to square one...

CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (19/150)

Really nice blog. Read it all in one go. They way you treat poker is a real struglle for me and alot of other players for sure. Trying to set the same mindset that you have, but I am way behind you.
Your blog motivated me a lot and inproved my mind set as well.
Where are the updates? Personally I want to see more posts from you, cause I am really curious how it ended up?

Originally posted by greatpk
Really nice blog. Read it all in one go. They way you treat poker is a real struglle for me and alot of other players for sure. Trying to set the same mindset that you have, but I am way behind you.
Your blog motivated me a lot and inproved my mind set as well.
Where are the updates? Personally I want to see more posts from you, cause I am really curious how it ended up?

Hey pk, I really appreciate the kind words. I'm happy to know that the work I've invested into this blog has translated into a positive experience for a fellow player.

The mindset that you reference here is a product of time, experience, and the wisdom gained from my many failures. So don't worry if you feel that you are behind! I can tell that you are here with an open mind and an eagerness to learn. Those two qualities, by themselves, should put you a step ahead of the majority of poker players, in time.

Speaking of my failures - you can chalk this bankroll challenge up there with them as well. After my last post, I needed to withdraw most of my funds (life happens...), and it was extremely demoralizing to put in all that time and effort just to end up back at the start again. I was mentally burnt out. So instead of picking up my boots and getting back on track, I entered that state of play paralysis again. The motivation to play just wasn't there, and so starting up a session that could last for 6+ hours just made me curl up into a ball and hide in a corner (figuratively lol). July passed, then August... then most of September before I snapped out of it. I've been toiling in the $0.25 games for the last month or so, just trying to reestablish some sort of foundation to build on - both fundamentally with my play, and mentally with my approach to the game.

To be honest, your post here reignited something for me. It encouraged me to re-read my own words, and that made me realize that this journey is not yet over. And so I'm going to continue building the bankroll and I want to continue writing about it too. I'll be starting a fresh blog later this week and will link it here for anybody who's interested.

Originally posted by ChraftyBridges

Originally posted by greatpk
Really nice blog. Read it all in one go. They way you treat poker is a real struglle for me and alot of other players for sure. Trying to set the same mindset that you have, but I am way behind you.
Your blog motivated me a lot and inproved my mind set as well.
Where are the updates? Personally I want to see more posts from you, cause I am really curious how it ended up?

Hey pk, I really appreciate the kind words. I'm happy to know that the work I've invested into this blog has translated into a positive experience for a fellow player.

The mindset that you reference here is a product of time, experience, and the wisdom gained from my many failures. So don't worry if you feel that you are behind! I can tell that you are here with an open mind and an eagerness to learn. Those two qualities, by themselves, should put you a step ahead of the majority of poker players, in time.

Speaking of my failures - you can chalk this bankroll challenge up there with them as well. After my last post, I needed to withdraw most of my funds (life happens...), and it was extremely demoralizing to put in all that time and effort just to end up back at the start again. I was mentally burnt out. So instead of picking up my boots and getting back on track, I entered that state of play paralysis again. The motivation to play just wasn't there, and so starting up a session that could last for 6+ hours just made me curl up into a ball and hide in a corner (figuratively lol). July passed, then August... then most of September before I snapped out of it. I've been toiling in the $0.25 games for the last month or so, just trying to reestablish some sort of foundation to build on - both fundamentally with my play, and mentally with my approach to the game.

To be honest, your post here reignited something for me. It encouraged me to re-read my own words, and that made me realize that this journey is not yet over. And so I'm going to continue building the bankroll and I want to continue writing about it too. I'll be starting a fresh blog later this week and will link it here for anybody who's interested.

I am so glad to hear that you are coming back to poker again!
I have a similar situation, had to withdraw 99% of my bankroll, so here I am left with 10$ and waiting for some inspiriation to return back to the poker tables. I Hope that both of us can get back on track and get all the motivation needed to crash the limits once again.
Looking forward for your new blog!

Originally posted by greatpk

I am so glad to hear that you are coming back to poker again!
I have a similar situation, had to withdraw 99% of my bankroll, so here I am left with 10$ and waiting for some inspiriation to return back to the poker tables. I Hope that both of us can get back on track and get all the motivation needed to crash the limits once again.
Looking forward for your new blog!

That big withdrawal is a tough spot bud, I feel your pain... But it just so happens that I'm starting with about $10 too! $8.73 to be exact. This is a build I've done before (a few times), and it's what I'll be focusing on for the next blog. So maybe we can help push each other through the mud of the micro-micro stakes and hop over some of those mental hurdles that are holding us back.

Do you play on PokerStars? And what's your game of choice - MTT/Sit'N'Go/Cash/a mixture?

Originally posted by ChraftyBridges

Originally posted by greatpk

I am so glad to hear that you are coming back to poker again!
I have a similar situation, had to withdraw 99% of my bankroll, so here I am left with 10$ and waiting for some inspiriation to return back to the poker tables. I Hope that both of us can get back on track and get all the motivation needed to crash the limits once again.
Looking forward for your new blog!

That big withdrawal is a tough spot bud, I feel your pain... But it just so happens that I'm starting with about $10 too! $8.73 to be exact. This is a build I've done before (a few times), and it's what I'll be focusing on for the next blog. So maybe we can help push each other through the mud of the micro-micro stakes and hop over some of those mental hurdles that are holding us back.

Do you play on PokerStars? And what's your game of choice - MTT/Sit'N'Go/Cash/a mixture?

Thats actually a good idea. Do you have a skype or Discord? Would be nice to share the results with each other and motivate each other on rough times, when things arent going their way.
I play mostly cash games on Pokerstars, but once I will have around 100$ bankroll I will play some MTTs on weekends.

Dude whether you decide to come back to poker or not it would be a shame not to finish that CEREBRO playlist! I just found your blog and if not for anything else please keep it alive for the music, your selection is amazing!!!

Originally posted by pizdunar
Dude whether you decide to come back to poker or not it would be a shame not to finish that CEREBRO playlist! I just found your blog and if not for anything else please keep it alive for the music, your selection is amazing!!!

The music is the glue that keeps everything together my friend... I will definitely make sure to keep CEREBRO up and running for the next go around. Much love!

New bankroll challenge is up and running - Home Sweet Home: A Journey Through the (Poker)Stars