$3r $40k GTD 3-way deal :D :D :D

Date: Thu, Feb 17, 2011 Tournament

This mornin I made my first ever $3r FT on stars :D I've been playing these trnys for sooooo long, yet despite their softness and ease of building a good stack in the rebuy period I've been frustrated by never FTing one tbh.

So I was extremely chuffed with the above $4k score which came about via a 3 way ICM chop. I should really have had twice as many chips and therfore the same payout as 2nd ($4377) but somehow I managed to try a big bluff for all of my opponents chips (half of mine) just as the moderator appeared to discuss 'numbers'. I put that down mainly to tiredness as it was 11am and I hadn't slept yet (lessons to be learnt there).

In other news my extremly short attempt at 'going pro' may end v.soon as I have an interview with an electrical engineering company 2moro :) More news on this to follow after the interview. Today though was a day for celebration! So I've been drinking and hangin out with mates etc. all day :)

Almost forgot to mention I've had a couple of lessons with Poker Pwnage coaches lately (Tony Gurerra and 'HerschelW') which I've really enjoyed! I won these through an internal promotion 'trny' held each week by the site and have 1 more comining up. As well as this I'm in a couple of HH review groups that I will be trying to attend more regularly.

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100th Post: 3 Month Plan

Date: Fri, Feb 4, 2011 Tournament

I have now moved into my new flat with a friend and I'm planning to get into some better lifestyle habbits. So even if the attempt at 'going pro' on a limited BR falls thru some important life changes will have been implemented. Here's the 3 month plan:

'Work'

Sunday - Thursday (Register from 1pm-4pm)

Exercise

Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (before I start a session)

Cycle to the gym

Healthy eating

Light breakfast b4 exercise

Lunch - cook healthy substantial meal

Dinner - Have healthy snacks for when working late + leftovers from lunchtime


This is my initial plan but it is flexible so long as I maintain a healthy lifestyle and reasnable working hours. This lifestlye change is long overdue tbh and I'm determined to make it happen over the next 3 months. Hopefully it might even improve my poker 2!!!

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Let the games begin!!!

Date: Tue, Feb 1, 2011 Tournament

I will be taking the plunge and moving into a flat on Thursday with a mate of mine. I have set aside 3 months rent + living expenses. Once I've sold a few things this will leave me with a BR of about $4k which is a lot less than I wanted for 'going pro'. However, I reckon this is a rare oppurtunity to give poker a shot properly which would be a lot harder to do if I was settled into a job!

So basically I'll be living cheaply and preying for some more of pattented 'run good' over the next 3 months. If my shouts of HOLD!!! at the screen work then maybe a longterm career might develop... Time will tell :)

Oh forgot to mention for those who are interested I will be playing MTT's (maybe some 90 mans too and using a 1% BRM rule, aggressive BRM I know but it's a go big or go home (litterally) plan!

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I like January!!!!!!!!!

Date: Tue, Jan 18, 2011 Tournament

Final hand JJ vs QQ.

It has been an awesome month indeed!!!

Nearly forgot to mention had another FT the otha day in a $33f where I came 6th for $750 and won $150 coaching voucher the next day. 1 hour with Tony Guererra me thinks :)

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2010 Roundup / 2011 Goals

Date: Mon, Jan 10, 2011 Tournament

2010 Achievments

Completed my Electrical/Electronic Engineering Degree, got a 2ii with honours.

Had my first ever year with decent profit to time spent ratio, with $20k profit.

Travelled in Spain, Morocco and Australia for 4 months.



2010 Shortcomings

Didn't get as high a grade as I was capable of at Uni (partly due to poker).

Managed my winnings poorly (cashing out 2 much)

Health and fitness could be better



2011 Goals

Find a job a.s.a.p. (I've decided that I don't have enuf in the bank to go pro comfortbly and I think comfort is important for your game etc.)

Get fit

Continue to pwn online MTT's

Consider the BR and living costs savings required to go pro. Atm I have a feeling that $20k BR and 3 months living expenses would be ok.

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Ship the $5 2r/1a for $6.1k weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Date: Thu, Jan 6, 2011 Tournament

2011 gettin off to a great start :D Will be postin my 2011 goals and 2010 review v.soon... just got to work out what my goals are lol!

Spoiler: it's probly gunna involve gettin a job...

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4-way deal for $2.2k

Date: Sun, Jan 2, 2011 Tournament

Chopped this after they asked to chop it 5-ways but I refused. By the time it was 4 ways the remaing players were pretty good imo and I was the shorty so I accepted an ICM chop.

2010 recap/2011 goals coming soon. Had a great New Years and xmas, hope y'all did too!

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5th in $19.5k GTD for $1.8k :)

Date: Sun, Dec 19, 2010 Tournament

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MiniFTOPS Update

Date: Wed, Dec 15, 2010 Tournament

Since I'm most of the way through my MiniFTOPS schedule I thought I'd update you on my progress:

Event #1 Wednesday Dec 08 21:00 ET
$20 + $2 NL Hold'em $250k GTD----------------------------2967/15328-----$0

Event #10 Saturday Dec 11 17:00 ET
$20 + $2 NL Hold'em Turbo $150k GTD----------------------2583/8693-----$0

Event #11 Sunday Dec 12 13:00 ET
$12 + $1 NL Hold'em Knockout $250k GTD----------------19449/26000+-----$0

Event #13 Sunday Dec 12 17:00 ET
$30 + $3 NL Hold'em $450k GTD-----------------------489/16,837-----$131.33

Event #19 Tuesday Dec 14 21:00 ET
$50 + $5 NL Hold'em 4xShootout $125k GTD------------------2166/2544-----$0

Event #29 (2-Day) Saturday Dec 18 13:00 ET
$200 + $16 NL Hold'em Two-Day Event

Main Event Sunday Dec 19 17:00 ET
$70 + $5 NL Hold'em $1M GTD

As you can see only 1 event went reasonably well and I busted that with trip Aces vs a better kicker.

On the plus side I cashed for $131.33 which by not entering the $109 6max event has allowed me to enter the $216 2-day freezeout event with 600k GTD. My backers have also agreed that any leftover cashes can be reinvested in either event #33 ($20r) or other MTT's. So 2 events 2 go with potentially more.

In other news, my Gran passed away recently. She was 90 years old and she had a good life. We are all sad to see her go but also happy that she is now at peace.

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Just a quick post to say...

Date: Sat, Dec 4, 2010 Tournament

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

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Mini-FTOPS and other stuff

Date: Thu, Dec 2, 2010 Tournament

Managed to secure a $329 7 event Mini-FTOPS stake, playing these events:

Event #1 Wednesday Dec 08 21:00 ET
$20 + $2 NL Hold'em $250k GTD

Event #10 Saturday Dec 11 17:00 ET
$20 + $2 NL Hold'em Turbo $150k GTD

Event #11 Sunday Dec 12 13:00 ET
$12 + $1 NL Hold'em Knockout $250k GTD

Event #13 Sunday Dec 12 17:00 ET
$30 + $3 NL Hold'em $450k GTD

Event #16 Monday Dec 13 21:00 ET
$100 + $9 NL Hold'em $300k GTD

Event #19 Tuesday Dec 14 21:00 ET
$50 + $5 NL Hold'em 4xShootout $125k GTD

Main Event Sunday Dec 19 17:00 ET
$70 + $5 NL Hold'em $1M GTD

First I tried to get the stake on 'Part Time Poker' and failed due to having no rep and also because there's been a lot of high profile grims on there lately. So I posted on NPF with the same deal (75/25 in backers favour no MU) and it was snapped up immeadiately.

There are 6 stakers with various percentages of me. Looking forward to this series and have picked only events I feel I have a significant edge in i.e. no 6max, turbo, HU etc.

December is a make or brake month for me in the sense that I need to do well in order to consider going pro next year. Otherwise it'll be time to bite the bullet and find work. Obv if I do get a job then I will continue to play, but a serious MTT schedule and a full time job do not mix well if at all!

In other news: I've had great week away on Rottnest Island, just off Perth Western Australia. It's a nice place with loadsa beaches and not many cars etc. So I've been fishing, snorkelling etc. and generally taking a break from poker to get the downswing out of my system. But I'm ready to get back to the tables now! :)

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Update from Down Unda!

Date: Sun, Nov 21, 2010 Tournament

Time for a quick update from Down Under.

Weather: Sweet as fook! :D

Stars staking deal: Not so grand, roll is down to around $850 from a starting point of $1.5k. To be expected when playing large field MTT's but still not desireable ofc, for me or the backer.

Full Tilt: Been going deep on a regular basis, but not getting there :( Most notable results were 10th and 11th last week in 28k gtd and 18k gtd... not fun but encouraging none the less! Also just got my first staking deal on PTP, it's only $55 for playing 10 45 man $5.50 sng's but it's the first step in building a rep on that site. Playing these later on today followed by the Sunday grind :)

Other poker stuff: Joined Poker Study Groups which is a site that appears to have potential but a long way to go yet. Am also giving one of it's members a couple of sweat sessions. Poker Pwnage is continuing to stimulate my game :) I have a 6 month membership there and intend to make full use of it!

Oz: Been getting used to my dads powerboat which I'm goin fishing on soon :) Spending time with the family and eating/drinking well.

On a sombre note: One of my best friends mother's has just passed away, it's a very sad time for him and needless to say I wish I could be there for him. My Gran is also v.ill and I wish I could be there for her and the rest of my family. But we can't be everywhere at once and the dietance is huge. Love to all back home.

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Backing Decisions

Date: Sat, Nov 6, 2010 Tournament

I recently made a decision to seek out a backer. The main reason for this is that after paying off my loan my roll is running low for the stakes I want to play and I need most of it for future living expenses anyways.

The first thing I did was post on the NPF a thread asking for peoples advice where to look for staking. 5 different people showed an interest in staking me almost immeadiately, this wasn't why I made the thread but was a welcome bonus.

Out of the 5 people interested I recieved 2 firm offers and chose to go with the best of these. This offer was a roll of $1.5k to play $22f's and below as well as $5r's and below. The backer asked for a 50/50 split of profits and I agreed.

I am very happy with this deal. I did seek to set up a second deal with another backer on Full Tilt but the best offer I recieved was $500 and 60/40 in backers favour. Upon some thought I decided to stick with one backer on Stars and use the last of my roll on Full Tilt.

I did want to switch to being backed in 100% of my games so I could use the remainder of my roll as a cushion to live on for a while incase varience doesn't swing my way. However the deal I was offered was exclusively on Stars and therefore I would need another on Full Tilt. I may yet look into this but in the meantime I will make a compromise.

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October Summary

Date: Sat, Oct 30, 2010 Tournament

Below is a list of my deep/semi-deep runs on Full Tilt this month, not including tonights runs in the $3r and $50k gtd. I havn't bothered with the Stars results because they aren't v.good. But as you can see not bad considering I'm a bit patchy when it comes to volume atm.


29 Oct 10 $9,500 KO Guarantee * HENL $11 1978 185 $17
28 Oct 10 $33,000 KO Guarantee HENL $26 1780 26 $114
28 Oct 10 $10,000 Guarantee (1r+1a) HENL $11+ 750 36 $56
25 Oct 10 $33,000 KO Guarantee HENL $26 1841 174 $41
21 Oct 10 $10,500 Guarantee (Rebuy) HENL $3.30+ 1888 28 $54
21 Oct 10 $35,000 Guarantee HENL $26 1585 21 $126
15 Oct 10 $10,500 Guarantee (Rebuy) HENL $3.30+ 1723 94 $24
14 Oct 10 $18K Super Stack HENL $26 807 88 $35
11 Oct 10 $12,000 Guarantee (Rebuy) HENL $5.50+ 1056 50 $40
11 Oct 10 $9,500 KO Guarantee HENL $11 1866 173 $16

This must be the first, possibly 2nd, month in 6 or 7 that I haven't had a $1k+ score. So can't complain really. Woulda been nice to continue the run and it's a shame not to be on the 'Best of NPF's' 'achievemnt' bulletin again. I've been on every one, bar August, since May... 4 outta 5 aint bad and I think I might of been on April's if there was one! Anyways roll on Australia (leavin on Nov 2nd) and hopefully some more deep runs!

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