Yeh just because they had some HUSNGs running when I wanted to play. I think I'll make them a regular thing. Maybe some heads up cash too. I figure if you're up against worse players, you can benefit from that edge more headsup than 6 max where you and 2 or 3 other regs are battling to take the fishes stack. What do you think? I'll still mostly play on Sky since that's where Ive had success but while I have bankroll on other sites and when theres good action I'll play anywhere.
Jef147: How are the games on Sky these days still super soft? What sort of returns do you get from their VIP program?
Very soft, even for a fish like me. The action is inconsistent though which can be frustrating, so I'm pretty much going to stick to playing weekends there. Returns wise it's hard to know exactly. But as an example this weekend I hit the £5 bonus at around 2500 hands playing 10NL. That's around 2bb/100 which I think is really good. But that was while running good playing some big pots.
Started the month at £362 having lost a few buy ins in October. Now at £470 midway through November. Next session not til Friday, unless there is some particularly good action Thursday night.
Looking forward to it. The value looks sick as ever. I probably won't play as many as usual but I'm certainly hoping to bink one of the bigger buy ins, could give my bankroll a nice boost!
Little update... November started great but ended terribly so I basically broke even for the month. I'm only playing once or twice a week but loving it when I do. Last night I played my longest session yet, 7 hours. Despite playing well (I think!) I broke even. Just kept running into the nuts, and the goddamn turn and river cards seemed to only help villains. Couple of all ins didn't go my way (AK bricked vs 88, JJ lost to KQ etc). But I played some headsup and took a few buy ins from a bad reg to make up the loss. Also got my first taste of PLO. I've watched a few videos but never played. There was a 4NL table running so I gave it a go. The standard was SOFT!! I must be terrible at it because I'm new to it, but it was no problem getting up to 6 buy ins. Players really over value their hands so you get called down so often when you have the nuts. I'll definitely be playing some more of that.
So anyways the last few weeks of the year I'll be playing some OPL tourneys and a mix of NL holdem and PLO. Next year the goal is to beat 10NL again, then 20NL, and be up to 50NL by the end of 2017.
Before setting poker goals for 2017 let’s look at the positives and negatives to be taken from the last twelve months.
Positives
1) Made roughly $2500. The aim was to make $1000 this year so I’m very happy with that.
2) Moved up in stakes. Started the year just wanting to beat 4NL, which I did in a few months. And almost beat 10NL before bankroll issues.
3) Came 3rd in OPL season 2. My league results have been terrible since but this was a real highlight of the year.
4) Won 6 tournaments. I know that’s not a lot but my first ever MTT win was December last year so to string a few together this year has been great for my confidence.
5) Improved my game. I honestly think that despite the last 6 months results the player I am today would crush the player I was in January.
Negatives
1) Bankroll problems. Right when things were going so great I had to withdraw almost all my winnings to cover some expenses.
2) Mental game. No doubt my biggest leak. I still tilt like a muthaf#@ka.
3) Ending on a downswing. 16 buy ins in the last 2 months.
All in all a good year. There have been ups and downs but poker wise at least I can be happy with the results.
So what’s the plan for 2017?
2017 Goals
Disclaimer: I know you shouldn’t make results oriented goals and should stick to “play x hands per month” and “study x hours” etc but let’s face it that shit is boring so…
1) CRUSH 10NL
2) CRUSH 20NL
3) MAKE $$$
On a more serious note I’m going to do a lot of work on my game. I’m doing a lot of hand analysis lately so I’ll keep that up, maybe blog some to show my thinking and get feedback. I’m going to record my sessions, possibly with video commentary, twitch style. I’m not sure I’m confident enough to stream so maybe I’ll just do some youtube videos. I find I play better and tilt less if I talk while I play so it can’t hurt and it might encourage more feedback and critique so I can improve further. I don’t have decent equipment and I need to get my laptop fan to shut the hell up so expect poor quality to begin with.
The only thing that may put a complete halt to all this is my job. I’ll be actively looking for new employment next year so there is a chance I end up with a hefty commute and longer hours. If that happens then poker goes on the back burner. But until then I’m ready to grind.
Off the tables I’m back into weight training and fitness, even playing football regularly. I’m going to blog my progress there too just to keep myself motivated and accountable. I’m ending the year with a virus and chest infection so very likely the first week of 2017 is a bit of a write off. Once I’m better though…
Nice review mate and think you have done fantastic. I sound like a broken record on here I know but you BEAT poker in 2016...if it was for $1, $2500 or $25,000....you have done something 95% of the poker population could not. It is really impressive. And as for 'just' winning 6 tournaments....that is probably more than i have won liftime!!! plus 2nd in an OPL is dopeeeeeeeeeee....this season aint over tho remember especiall Jan 10th-15th when there is $9000 added across this period and all DOUBLE POINTS.....sometimes its how strong you finish!
I really think you can be a fantastic poker player fwiw. You really have a solid game and I believe you truly understand player types....its a huge plus! How about you make me a video for review? Lets go biggggggggggggggg
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