Weekly Update and Goals (4/12/2010)

Unfortunately I had another really bad weekend on the tables.  I’ve dropped around $600 the past 7 days short-stacking, and I’ve been quite stupid about it at some points.  For example, I put in a 4 hour 24-table session Saturday, which was a big session where I didn’t beat the EV.  I ran about -$200 EV, but finished about -$300 total.  The other 2 out of 3 session I beat the EV, even know I still lost money (for example -$150 EV, but down -$75 total).   Like usual I can’t run average EV to save my life.  I have never seen anything like it.  Part of the reason I haven’t blogged as much is I’m bleeding chips and poker is really pissing me off, my commentary sessions are miserable, and it makes me sick to re-look at bad beat stories and repost them.  If the commentaries aren’t productive they can bring down my confidence.

I didn’t think it would be possible to run as bad as I have during the start of this month.  My HEM sessions analysis is hilarious; it is not looking like Christmas (red and green).  That mother fucker is all red.  I’ve ran –EV at least 10 sessions in a row.  I thought I could get to Platinum Star status for the month without much bankroll damage, but I’m now in danger.  I need about 2.5k VPPs to get platinum for the month, and then I’m switching to full buy in for the rest of the month.  I’ve debated completely dropping short-stacking because it’s gone so badly, but now I might as well finish the goal.

Putting things in perspective the -$600 is a bitch, but it’s salvageable.  I have almost 50,000 FPPs, which are worth $650 or more.  So I can pull that perspective trick and pretend I’m basically even for the month.  Whatever makes me sleep at night right?  Going forward my bankroll online is around $1500.  This should be enough to short-stack to platinum star for the month, and then switch to full buy in.  However, from here out I’m sticking to 12 tables at once when short-stacking.  I feel very comfortable playing 12 tables at once (even mixed in with a few fast).  There is no reason for me to over-due it and sacrifice EV for additional tables.  I’m going to table select and stick to 12.  However, if I drop to $1200 this month I’m ditching short-stacking and settling for gold-star this month.  Enough is enough; a man can only take so much abuse.

My studying for full buy in is going well.  Even know I lost the most I have in my life March, I feel I have also improved the most rapidly.  At the beginning of March being able to comfortably play 12 tables at once would have been unthinkable.  I even put in a 24-table session and held my own.  I’ve also been putting in the studying.  I can now put opponents on range and visual his possible holdings in my head.  It’s gotten to a point where I sometimes face a border-line situation and say to myself “based on his range, it would be idiotic for me to not push this hand”.  A few months ago I was not advanced in opponent range analysis.  Now I have range % print-outs scattered around my desk like a crazy person.

I’m trying to stay positive and not let my current online poker issues affect the rest of my life.  I have a lot to look forward too.  I’m feeling better now and I played tennis 3 hours on Sunday.  The summer is coming and RUSSIAN SEASON is approaching (will explain later).  Even if I’m stuck in corporate a months or so, I can still find the time to enjoy my life plenty.  Also I talked to one of my best friends and she is graduating in a few weeks and moving back home.  So it will be nice having her around as our paths once again cross for at least few months.

A few weekly goals to stay focused:

1.  Continue putting the time into poker.  This week I want to:

A.  Finish my range chart book for my reference. 

B.  Study and watch a video I picked up.

C.  Call my 200NL friend and talk full-buy in strategy.  Take notes and ask questions.

D.  Complete 15-20 hours of playing time.  I want to hit platinum star, and switch to full buy in this week (by Sunday end).  Also I want to profit this week (EV HELP?); that would make things easier.

2.  Complete a full week of work at my day job. 

This is still an accomplishment, don't over-look.  Deal with the grind, the money is important.  Just do your thing and leave at 5p.m, don’t let any bullshit affect you.  There are plenty of people who would happily take your b.s job and check for the week.  Another day another dollar….

3.  Keep in shape. 

It’s been nice outside, which makes this goal much easier.  Tennis is never a chore for me, I always love playing.  The gym however has always been a chore for me.  I want to stay active at least 3 nights (2 tennis matches and 1 gym night).

4.  Stay positive.

My life could be a lot worse.  I just got a glimpse of the photo of that train wreck from my last post below for example.  THAT WOULD NOT BE COOL.