Hi guys.
This is going to be a blog following my progress on Gordon's 6 max 'Double your win-rate' course available at his website (and hence the blog will be cross posted here and there). Like many others here, I've been influenced by Gordon's logical and no bull-shit approach to poker, and his emphasis on the small fundamental changes you can make to your game in order to make those $$$. I was tempted by his heads up master mind course, but since times ahead require a rather consistent stream of income (and I play poker -- the irony!), I thought I'd go ahead and stick with 6 max and just try to improve (for now).
I've had several blogs here before, but never really kept them updated. And that's part of the reason why I've decided to take this course: I know that Gordon sets homework, and checks the blogs, and even offers a money back guarantee to those who demonstrate they have done everything they can to improve. I find it really hard to actually study when it comes to poker, preferring like everyone else to get on the tables and actually play. The result is, of course, that I rarely improve, and instead end up believing I play well when I run good, and play poorly when I run bad. It's time to achieve something.
I'm starting out at NL100, and mixing in some 200 when the tables are nice. If Gordon's course can help me improve my game 2-3bb/100, I'll be very happy. I hope that by the end of the year I will be a successful winning reg at NL400+, and perhaps will have made the transition to heads-up along the way. So that's it: I'm going to start with the first video today, and get playing. I'll add some additional back ground information below if anyone is interested.
Poker History
Spoiler
I started playing poker while I was at university last year, but never really took it seriously. I've always been a big gamer, so it instantly appealed to me as just another online game where I could try and get the highest score possible. I used to play NL2 with my flatmate, though whenever I made any money (or redeposited) we'd just end up throwing it all away playing martingale on micro stakes blackjack .. fun times.
After I finished uni, I decided that I'd like to give poker a proper try. For me, this was not a career choice: I want to return to study, and hopefully try and pursue an academic career. I have a place at one of the best unis in my country setup for next year, and will take it no matter how well I am doing at poker. But in the meantime, I want to achieve something: I want to work for myself, save some money, and learn some self-discipline and control.
So I started out playing MTTs, 88c SNGs and NL2 cash games in July 2012 on 888. Fortunately, I managed to bink a tourney and rolled myself to play NL10. Since then, it's been a turbulent year, trying to climb the limits while working part time so I could pay rent. I think it went something like this, in terms of going up and dropping down:
NL2 -> NL10 -> NL25 -> NL100 -> NL50 -> NL25 -> NL50 -> NL100 -> NL200
The jump from NL25 -> NL100 came as the result of scooping some big tourney wins, and hitting a heater. I was barely rolled for 100 (20 BI or so), but stuck it out for a month or so breaking even before dropping harshly back to 50. At this time (January 13), I was crazy tilted: I had thought I was awesome, and that I could quit my job and just play at 100 ezpk. When I lost a few BI and had to move down, I suddenly decided to play HU NL50 without any experience, chasing regs for games and generally being an idiot. I lost about half my bank roll in a week.
Since then, it's been a stead grind back. If I'm honest with myself: I've run good. But I do also believe I've got what it takes. I currently play on Stars, and there are some pretty decent regs here at 100. It's a constant challenge, but I'm going to make it to 400+, and save myself a pretty penny.
Graphs
Spoiler
Total winnings since I bought new PC (around the beginning of March):
Total winnings at NL100:
Total winnings at NL200 (limited sample):
Wish me luck guys!
J
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