Turning 0$ into WSOP trip

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 53
Weekly loses -465
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 16 404€
Current Bankroll 15 939€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

The last session of the Year ended with a small deficit. I got deep in $108 Sunday SNOWDOWN Mystery Bounty event, but eventually A♥:J♥: was defeated by A♦:T♠: preflop. Only one Bounty envelope on myself, and that with a small amount. Interestingly, the highest prize of 50k was still on with 100 people left, so there was relatively a high chance of grabbing it. Unfortunately it ended like most times this year - close

Looking back at my numbers overall, seems like it was one of the worst years in my career. I still haven't used a PokerStars package worth of 2500$, but even with that profits don't reach five digits. On positive side, I had 10 trips this year, mostly with packages, so I had some wonderful time which is not reflected in the numbers. Anyway, tomorrow I plan to review my yearly goals and start my new ones.
Until then, see you at the tables

Hi, Mantelo:f_pleased:

Originally posted by Mantelo
Anyway, tomorrow I plan to review my yearly goals and start my new ones.
Until then, see you at the tables
That's a good thing. I will do that as well.:f_cool:

Happy New Year grinders Let the Snakes bring you lots of profitable sessions, may the Aces hold and your draws get completed on the River! And most important, let's enjoy this beautiful game we are in love with And for now, it is a good time to look back at my own year

1. Have 10 trips outside Lithuania, at least 1 country new to me - 1 point
February - Paris, France FPS
March - Rozvadov & Madrid
May - Namur
June - Malaga
July - Budapest & Cyprus
August - London
September - Barcelona
October - Aix Les Bains, France
December - Prague

Goal completed with 11 trips outside my country. 10 poker festivals, the only non poker related but probably the most fascinating trip to Hungary to Formula-1 weekend. Some new cities like Aix Les Bains, Barcelona, Malaga and Namur, while Belgium was the new country in general. And probably Belgium will be visited this year as we are thinking to replace Hungaroring with Spa for our Formula experience. Talking about Live Poker Results, it was close to breakeven. Some deep runs, but no Final tables with the best score in the same Belgium for 5k euros. Photo below exactly from that festival.

2. Extend Trophy board or ship Major MTT online event - 0,75 point
Very symbolic that my virtual GG trophy board was enlarged by the Snake Zodiac But it was not a Major event to make this goal clear. Some close attempts like 2nd in Zodiac Main Event only allows me to get 3/4 points for this goal.

3. Reach Final Table in Sunday Million, GG Masters or any 1 Million Guaranteed event - 0,25 point
Unfortunately no deep runs in the biggest events at all. The highest prize I got was this Mystery Bounty event, busted at 24th place. If only those Aces would have held preflop, this might have been a different story and points allocation

4. Study poker 360 hours - 0,75 points
January - 56 hours
February - 40 hours
March - 25 hours
April - 13 hours
May - 17 hours
June 7 - hours
July - 18 hours
August - 21 hours
September - 32 hours
October - 25 hours
November - 23 hours
December - 25 hours

Total of 302 hours of preferable 360. Some hours might have been missed from my notes, especially when I travel to festivals and don't have my book with myself. However, my summer studies should be better. There are lots of activities in a warm season here, but sticking to my poker routines definitely would help to improve my results

5. Experience of 10 educational trails in Lithuania - 0,75 point
Silenai Hiking Trail
Ribiškių Educational Trail
Dvarčionių Healthy Trail
Anykščiai treetop walking path
Strielčikai pathwalk
Sapieginės educational healthy Trail
Road to Paneriai
Kadagių slėnis

Missing two but happy with this goal overall. Plenty of wonderful places in Lithuania, so if you ever wonder to visit Lithuania, don't hesitate. Picture from our last trail in Kadagių Slėnis, awarded as the best one in our country last year A♥:

6. Foster our Homestead - 1 point
One of the reasons why my hours of studying reduced in summer is our homestead. But I'm not going to blame it at all It is very refreshing to spend some time in the environment you have created with flowers and vegetables not only pleasing your eyes but stomach as well. Really happy with Reolink camera as I finally can see which guests are visiting us - foxes, dears, rabbits, elks. Our neighbors are telling about boars so hopefully they are next on the list

7. Reach 65k XPoints Total on French Duolingo - 1 point
Very consistent goal, not only with points but maintaining the streak to 1084 days This language skill is another reason why I like to play poker in French speaking countries and hopefully I can enter some "French" festivals this year as well. Monaco would be perfect for this

8. Help Top Kickers team avoid relegation and have 10 attacking returns - 0,75 point
In the end we settled in 4th place, easily avoiding relegation but far away from the Top 3 teams. My own statistics were not shining too much - only 3 goals. With age adding up, my playing position changes as well, mostly to deep lying playmaker. If it helps the team, I'm ok with recuing my goals stat

9. Read 12 books - 1 point
Tim Marshall - Prisoners of Geography
Mark Galeotti - A Field Guide to the New Way of War
An Atlas of Extinct Countries - Gideon Defoe
100 Places You Will Never Visit by Daniel Smith
Dilogy "Peter's Empress" by Kristina Sabaliauskaitė
Onoré de Balzac „Le père Goriot“
Tesla: His Tremendous and Troubled Life by Marko Perko
Craig Whitlock's The Afghanistan Papers: A secret history of the war
Tahir Shah "Timbuktu"
Rūta Šepetys - I must betray You
Martynas Starkus - Silk Road, 1000 km with a car
Fredrik Backman - Britt-Marie Was Here
Chanel Cleeton - When we left Cuba

13 books, goal completed. Stays for next year for sure

10. Complete 10 Bucket List activities - 0,25 point
Take part in Formula-1 weekend
Watch Live reputable football match in a stadium
Listen to a famous Concert
Listen to Live Opera
Attend a music Festival
Watch a performance in Theatre
Witness one of the new World Wonders
Set eyes on the Nature Wonder
Experience Sauna procedures
Organize outdoors event for friends

The goal that I should work most next year Only 3 activities completed, so only a quater of the point. Overall 7,5 points, seems like a very precise number how I would describe my previous year. Not bad but with some more effort could be better. I'm leaving with this foto from Formula-1 circuit, may the next year bring lots of happiness for You!

Something tells me, it is going to be a good Year Still no Gold though

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 54
Weekly profit 2980
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 15 939€
Current Bankroll 18 919€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

Maybe this is the Year when I complete my Bankroll challenge? It takes much longer than expected, but the (re)start is encouraging

Originally posted by Mantelo
Maybe this is the Year when I complete my Bankroll challenge? It takes much longer than expected, but the (re)start is encouraging

GL and happy start into 2025 for you and your family!

Originally posted by Mantelo
6. Foster our Homestead - 1 point
One of the reasons why my hours of studying reduced in summer is our homestead. But I'm not going to blame it at all It is very refreshing to spend some time in the environment you have created with flowers and vegetables not only pleasing your eyes but stomach as well. Really happy with Reolink camera as I finally can see which guests are visiting us - foxes, dears, rabbits, elks. Our neighbors are telling about boars so hopefully they are next on the list

Are you sure? I haven't met a homesteader yet that is happy to have boars around, aside from the roughing through the fields after harvest time. But spring & summer they gonna destroy the shit out of your delicious plants.

Well said, they would only look good on the camera

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 55
Weekly loses -1383€
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 18 919€
Current Bankroll 17 536€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

After a perfect start, a setback right away. From preparation point of view, for the first time in my career (since I started to track my weekly schedules) I completed 100% of my tasks and was really motivated to do well on Sunday session. But as we all know, poker doesn't work that way

Couple of interesting hands:

Opponent - high stakes Brazilian Reg whom I have seen couple of times in GG Millions Final Table. I've chosen this hand for my own future game because I was a little surprised at first with this 34BB 4bet jam. Solver suggests to include KJs from the broadway hands, also ATs+ AQo+, 88+, and mix 55-77. Makes sense when you give it a thought


Mystery Bounty finished just after ITM. People like to gamble while the highest envelope is still in the game, so I can't blame my opponent too much. Would have been nice to double up my stack though

Not much luck on PokerStars either as I fired 3 empty bullets in 100$ Champione Live Festival Satellite
PokerStars - 75/150 Ante 20 NL (8 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 11.43 BB
BB: 42.98 BB (VPIP: 18.52, PFR: 16.98, 3Bet Preflop: 8.20, Hands: 163)
UTG: 47.35 BB (VPIP: 32.32, PFR: 26.14, 3Bet Preflop: 17.65, Hands: 100)
MP: 98.61 BB (VPIP: 23.91, PFR: 14.86, 3Bet Preflop: 8.60, Hands: 232)
CO: 31.43 BB (VPIP: 32.14, PFR: 18.52, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 28)
BTN: 24.19 BB (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 20.17, 3Bet Preflop: 8.95, Hands: 498)

6 players post ante of 0.13 BB, Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 2.3 BB) Hero has A♥ 9♦

fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 11.29 BB and is all-in, BB calls 10.29 BB

Flop: (23.39 BB, 2 players) K♦ J♠ K♥

Turn: (23.39 BB, 2 players) 4♣

River: (23.39 BB, 2 players) T♦

Hero shows A♥ 9♦ (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 58%, Flop 0.3%, Turn 0%)
BB shows K♠ J♥ (Full House, Kings full of Jacks)
(Pre 42%, Flop 99.7%, Turn 100%)
BB wins 23.39 BB

PokerStars - 200/400 Ante 50 NL (8 max) - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 98.03 BB (VPIP: 28.03, PFR: 22.29, 3Bet Preflop: 5.17, Hands: 158)
UTG+1: 8.1 BB (VPIP: 24.03, PFR: 16.81, 3Bet Preflop: 10.28, Hands: 234)
Hero (MP): 8.8 BB
CO: 27.94 BB (VPIP: 17.86, PFR: 17.86, 3Bet Preflop: 12.50, Hands: 28)
BTN: 36.46 BB (VPIP: 27.68, PFR: 18.74, 3Bet Preflop: 10.76, Hands: 998)
SB: 46.75 BB (VPIP: 24.49, PFR: 8.33, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 49)
BB: 63.35 BB (VPIP: 25.42, PFR: 17.66, 3Bet Preflop: 7.94, Hands: 1,624)

7 players post ante of 0.13 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 2.37 BB) Hero has K♥ Q♠

fold, fold, Hero raises to 8.67 BB and is all-in, fold, BTN calls 8.67 BB, fold, fold

Flop: (19.72 BB, 2 players) J♥ 5♣ 4♦

Turn: (19.72 BB, 2 players) 4♥

River: (19.72 BB, 2 players) 7♣

Hero shows K♥ Q♠ (One Pair, Fours)
(Pre 39%, Flop 24%, Turn 14%)
BTN shows 9♣ A♣ (One Pair, Fours)
(Pre 61%, Flop 76%, Turn 86%)
BTN wins 19.72 BB

PokerStars - 125/250 Ante 30 NL (8 max) - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 10.73 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
BB: 36.58 BB (VPIP: 24.29, PFR: 16.08, 3Bet Preflop: 10.97, Hands: 354)
UTG: 19.64 BB (VPIP: 28.57, PFR: 27.27, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 14)
UTG+1: 37.9 BB (VPIP: 23.08, PFR: 23.08, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 13)
Hero (MP): 16.45 BB
CO: 30.4 BB (VPIP: 23.38, PFR: 17.11, 3Bet Preflop: 7.06, Hands: 202)
BTN: 16 BB (VPIP: 25.39, PFR: 17.76, 3Bet Preflop: 7.86, Hands: 1,610)

7 players post ante of 0.12 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 2.34 BB) Hero has A♠ A♥

fold, fold, Hero raises to 2 BB, fold, BTN raises to 15.88 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, Hero calls 13.88 BB

Flop: (34.1 BB, 2 players) 2♠ T♠ 5♠

Turn: (34.1 BB, 2 players) 7♠

River: (34.1 BB, 2 players) 5♥

Hero shows A♠ A♥ (Flush, Ace High)
(Pre 80%, Flop 96%, Turn 77%)
BTN shows 7♦ 7♣ (Full House, Sevens full of Fives)
(Pre 20%, Flop 4%, Turn 23%)
BTN wins 34.1 BB

Also I have played one Live event in a local casino. I was doing well before re-entry period has ended and on the VERY FIRST hand after the break I got dealt K♣:K♦: I went into preflop raising war against the Chipleader who tabled A♦:Q♦: once we got the chips into the middle. But flopped Ace sent me home very early

Surely after a bad week a good one must follow?

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 56
Weekly loses -1146€
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 17 536€
Current Bankroll 16 390€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

Year started great, but now back to reality
Seems impossible to win a flip nowadays, re-entries after re-entries. Got into 2nd day of Sunday Million though, and buster on the 2nd hand after restart

I started wondering, is my week 56 in bankroll challenge the record longest from all the participants?

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 57
Weekly profit 2313 €
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 16 390€
Current Bankroll 18 703€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

Good day grinders

A rare nice Sunday grind where I had two big scores.

I got 3rd in a huge Hypersonic 20$ event, but the night wasn't over yet.

A Final Table was close for that prestigious GG Masters event, but eventually had to settle in 15th place.

As for this week, not going to play too much online. But there is Ace Breaker Live Festival in Vilnius, and the plan is to play at least the Main Event. Any Flag Hunters for Lithuania?

The first month of January has just passed and once again I'm here with setting goals. Last year I gave myself 7,5 score and this year I hope to climb at least to 8. The goals stay the same as I'm very happy with the structure I set last year. So let's begin

1. Have 10 trips outside Lithuania, at least 1 country new to me

🇮🇹 Campione: March 10-16
🇮🇪 Irish Open: April 10-21
🇧🇪 Namur: May 28-June 9
🇪🇸 Malaga: June 16-22
🇬🇧 Manchester: October 20-26
🇫🇷 Cannes: December 8-14

There are 6 PokerStars open stops announced and I plan to attend all of them. There are two more EPT festivals in Barcelona and Monaco, but those are above my bankroll and probably not going to visit this year. There is a chance that a new festival will appear in GG network, but as I play on Natural8 skin, most of the Live festivals are offered only in Asia. With one trip reserved to Formula-1 and one to simple relaxation, I will try to find two more stops once the year progress. As for that relaxation trip, most likely choosing one from that "Green" zone.

2. Extend Trophy board or ship Major MTT online event
Last year I was close in several occasions, hopefully this year I will make this goal complete.

3. Reach Final Table in Sunday Million, GG Masters or any 1 Million Guaranteed event
I almost completed this on my first month, but there is plenty of time to improve the result. 15th position is fine, now I have to extend one additional table.

4. Study poker 360 hours
January - 47 hours

Just like last year, the start is strong. My tendencies drop in summer when outside activities are too good to turn down. Still I have to find a bar at a decent level, otherwise my poker results in summer/autumn won't be shining again

5. Experience of 10 educational trails in Lithuania
Just like last year, the plan is to visit 10 nature objects in Lithuania. Most places around my city are already "ticked", but I'm happy to take extra time for new adventures

A picture of "Visit Lithuania", castle in the old capital Trakai

6. Foster our Homestead
There is a mini plan of our homestead.

The task for this year are those:
1 - Clean the forest
2 - Prepare place for greenhouse
3 - Grow some vegetables and berries
4 - Brush up the wild raspberries
5 - Prepare ground for next year cultivation

Extra point would go I we could by additional land marked as 6. But for that I need to have some success in Live events first

7. Reach 100k XPoints Total on French Duolingo
With Namur and Cannes on my travel list this year, continuing French lessons is another incentive. Who knows, maybe Monaco miraculously appear in the horizon

8. Help Top Kickers team avoid relegation and have 10 attacking returns
Aiming for double less amount in attacking returns as my t-shirt number suggests But my personal fitness level is more important than statistics, and being fit definitely helps in poker as well.

9. Read 12 books
Mysterious Egypt by Angelina Zaleckaitė

I had the desire to visit Egypt in January, but both my loved ones daughter and wife got sick and we had to postpone our plans. But Egypt was always a country I was interested about, and the book just strengthen my feelings. Seeing pyramids would also help to fulfil one of my extra goals

10. Complete 10 Bucket List activities
Listen to a famous Concert
Experience Sauna procedures with friends
Set eyes on the Nature Wonder
Listen to Live Opera
Organize outdoors event for friends
Take part in Formula-1 weekend
Watch Live reputable football match in a stadium
Attend a music Festival
Watch a performance in Theatre
Witness one of the new World Wonders

To enjoy life and celebrate it, you have to reward yourself with activities that makes you joy. First one completed, my favorite (and probably my daughter's) Lithuanian singer performed an amazing show and we had a chance to attend it. A good way to start the year

So these are my goals for 2025. Now it is a time to conquer it!

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 58
Weekly loses -2877 €
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 18 703€
Current Bankroll 15 826€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

Surprise surprise, after a very good week, I got destroyed the next one
I participated in the Main Event of Ace Breaker in Vilnius, and despite getting into day 2, I was eliminated with 20% of the field left. With Chipleader opening in MP and a flat on the CO, I found 9♠:9♣: in the SB. A good spot to shove my 15BB stack, and I was even happier when original raiser folded. But unfortunately CO player decided to gamble with A♥:J♣: and won the race
Overall I was very happy with my play, gave myself 9/10 points with couple of hands unsure if the right decision was made. The most irritating for me was this
CO open with 50BB stack and I flat BU being the chipleader with A♣:9♣:. BB comes along and we see a flop of 9♦:2♠:2♥:. Original raiser fires half pot and finds only me as a customer. He checks 6♠: and calls my healthy bet rather quickly. Seemed like a nice spot to fire another value bet on the River 7♣:, but eventually I was surprised by a 3x check/raise. I tanked for couple of minutes, with narrowing his value hands of only :7x::7x:. I couldn't find a fold here as my opponent showed that exact Rivered 7♥:7♦: After looking this hand in GTO Wizard, my call seems like a preferred option, but I'm still not quite sure if people in Live events will find creative bluffs here as they should in theory.
Nonetheless, I hoped to overcome my failure in Sunday online grind, but got beaten in every single tournament I played Tomorrow I will go through my hands in GTO Wizard and try to prepare for another week of grind. Until then

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 59
Weekly loses -358 €
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 15 826€
Current Bankroll 15 468€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

No big swings last week and it was down to the last tournament to decide if my week gets profitable or not. That last tournament was the most expensive of all, 320$ GG Masters Bounty Anniversary with 1 million guaranteed. The start and middle phase was good, collected couple of heads and constantly was chipleading at the table. But got card dead for the last couple of hours and on the Bubble phase I was navigating my 10BB stack. Looked like a good spot to ship the remaining stack from the Button with A♥:T♥:, but unfortunately the River was preferable for my opponent.

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 60
Weekly profit 978 €
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 15 468€
Current Bankroll 16 446€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

A nice week with a Final Table in a massive Bounty King 32$ event.

When You bust 23 players, You certainly can't blame bad luck. But all good things come to the end and I had to settle in 8th place. Chipleader made another open from HJ and I found a perfect spot to 3bet jam K♦: Flop was safe but once the 5♣: appeared on the Turn, I knew I'm in trouble

Also, finally got that seat to Campione festival in Italy/Switzerland. From first look it will be a little difficult to travel, but I guess surroundings near Como lake are worth it.

Congrats on the live seat. Is this first time at Campione festival?

Originally posted by mariussica88
Congrats on the live seat. Is this first time at Campione festival?

Yes, indeed. Have you ever been there? Not really sure what to expect from the festival except that is going to be another huge event with 1 million guaranteed

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 61
Weekly profit 974 €
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 16 446€
Current Bankroll 17 420€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

Happy to take a profitable week before a non-poker trip to South Cyprus It is still winter in Lithuania and some sun is much needed for all family. 11 years ago, together with wife, we explored the Paphos region, this time we have chosen Larnaca and its surroundings.
Photo with couple of donkeys 11 years ago exactly from Cyprus

Originally posted by Mantelo
Yes, indeed. Have you ever been there? Not really sure what to expect from the festival except that is going to be another huge event with 1 million guaranteed

No, I haven't, I have been to other parts of Switzerland and Italy, but never there. I heard it is beautiful, enjoy. ♠_drink:

Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 62
Weekly profit 114 €
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 17 420€
Current Bankroll 17 534€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€

Good day grinders
Despite not playing a single hand in a week, my bankroll just got a little up. The reason - some refunds due to GG Poker technical issues. I would have missed that Major GG Masters rescheduled tournament, but it seems like this event got cancelled in the end.

So it turned out to be a perfect timing to runaway from internet poker The trip to Cyprus was the first of our family a non-poker travel. Having around 10 poker trips a year, it is tough to include another one mainly for relaxation. But I'm glad we were able to enjoy some sun where the spring comes first in Europe

As Winter has passed now, it is a time for a monthly review

1. Have 10 trips outside Lithuania, at least 1 country new to me
February - Cyprus
March - PokerStars Open Campione

It was a good time to meet Spring in the sunniest region in Europe. Although I've been in Cyprus couple of times, but the cities of Larnaca and Ãja Napà were totally unexplored before. Not many tourists at the moment as it is off-season in Cyprus with many hotels and restaurants still closed. But it was such a recovering trip for us that we are thinking next year to spend much more time there.

2. Extend Trophy board or ship Major MTT online event

My first attempt for a Live trophy this year. Next week I'm flying to Milan and then a lengthy journey by train to Campione city. The surroundings look beautiful so even if my tournaments don't go well, I still hope for a good time there

3. Reach Final Table in Sunday Million, GG Masters or any 1 Million Guaranteed event

So far this is the closest I got this year

4. Study poker 360 hours
January - 47 hours
February - 34 hours

Happy with the hours, especially with one week off poker in February. Motivation is till high with no burnout in the horizon

5. Experience of 10 educational trails in Lithuania
Although our first trail was not in Lithuania, but still some great views in Larnaca

6. Foster our Homestead

We were rare guests at homestead in winter season, so animals started to boss here But with snow melting down fast now, once a week visit is on the schedule.

7. Reach 100k XPoints Total on French Duolingo


Staying the course here

8. Help Top Kickers team avoid relegation and have 10 attacking returns

We got silver medals in winter season With only 3 points behind the leaders it was a close chase until the end. Best attack in the league, 2nd best defense, so second place is a deserved position.

9. Read 12 books
Mysterious Egypt by Angelina Zaleckaitė
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
A book very suitable to current times - 4 unknown to each other people runaway from East Europe in the last moments of WW2. Sad stories, separated families and cruelties as red army march towards Germany.

10. Complete 10 Bucket List activities
Listen to a famous Concert
Experience Sauna procedures with friends
Set eyes on the Nature Wonder
Listen to Live Opera
Organize outdoors event for friends
Take part in Formula-1 weekend
Watch Live reputable football match in a stadium
Attend a music Festival
Watch a performance in Theatre
Witness one of the new World Wonders

another minitask completed - Sauna procedures with my football team

In conclusion - very happy with the first two months and hopefully I can keep the pace until the end. See you at the tables!