October 17 - omg omg omg

Omg omg omg...I'm actually putting some hands in!!! I'm really only putting in like an hour per day of playing, but anything feels good right now. I still have to force myself to sit down and play, but at least I am doing it. I really would like to be putting in 3-5 hours per day on average, but I'll take the babysteps for now. However, I have been averaging like 1hr of coaching per day as well...so at least I am doing something =)

Ended up picking up a few new students this week, which went well. Also did a double sweat session, which was a cool idea to me (student A and student B, A+me watch B for an hour, and then B+me watch A for an hour). This made me think about having an hour or 2 session where people can watch me play as a group, and we discuss as we go along. Could charge less per hour (because it's not as personal), but still a very solid learning experience. I dunno...I'm still in talks about a poker revamp service...so we'll see what develops with it all.

So other than playing, I haven't been doing too much. I decided to wipe the dust off my Poohbah (yea, it has been about a month since I've even mentioned it), and finish it up. It's currently being looked at by a few people, and then hopefully I can finalize it and post it. The goal is Sunday, but we'll see how long it takes for people to get back to me =) The post is only going to be about 8 pages (thus far), which is smaller than the 15 pages I had originally quoted. I decided I would take out some examples and leave more to the reader to think about. The goal with the post is to think...about what your doing and why you are doing it...so it's only right that I force the reader to think.

Also, I'm thinking it's about time to get back to 100nl. I have an aggressive bankroll for it on-line, so I might start playing weekend 100nl games coming soon. I just don't like hindering my hourly by playing lower than I should be, and poker, especially the way I am playing it, is all about opportunity cost. So we'll see how that goes. So poker stuff is coming together...hope all is well with everyone else.

And of course, a fun hand (omg omg omg...I held!):

Full Tilt Poker Game #8522440340: Table Fulton (deep) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:00:55 ET - 2008/10/16
Seat 1: keeganaydan ($28.60)
Seat 2: KADET_1 ($98.45)
Seat 3: Its RIGGIGGITY ($50)
Seat 4: Juston1254 ($30)
Seat 5: Tha Riparian ($133.80)
Seat 6: TonyTony Choper ($71.90)
Seat 7: krookymunster ($102.40)
Seat 8: yjs0626 ($112.45)
Seat 9: Earthman42 ($106.35)
KADET_1 posts the small blind of $0.25
Its RIGGIGGITY posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Its RIGGIGGITY [Ks Kd]
Juston1254 folds
Tha Riparian folds
TonyTony Choper folds
krookymunster folds
yjs0626 folds
Earthman42 folds
keeganaydan folds
KADET_1 raises to $2
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $6
KADET_1 raises to $98.45, and is all in
Its RIGGIGGITY calls $44, and is all in
KADET_1 shows [8s 8h]
Its RIGGIGGITY shows [Ks Kd]
Uncalled bet of $48.45 returned to KADET_1
*** FLOP *** [3h 7h Jh]
*** TURN *** [3h 7h Jh] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [3h 7h Jh 3c] [4d]
KADET_1 shows two pair, Eights and Threes
Its RIGGIGGITY shows two pair, Kings and Threes
Its RIGGIGGITY wins the pot ($97) with two pair, Kings and Threes

*SS*

October 14 - BBC is awesome

Pretty solid week. Made a few bucks at the casino, which means both I'm happy and my staker is happy. Always nice when that happens =). Tried out a few new games this weekend and did Caesars on Friday and Mirage on Saturday. Had my first “celebrity” siting as well...saw Jerry Bus (owner of the Lakers) at Mirage...kind of cool.

So far I'm enjoying live. I don't enjoy that I've put in about 42 hours of live play, and only seen about 1.6K hands (currently about 2hrs of work for me on-line). O well...still making OK money thus far, and it's a really nice mix-up from on-line. This month has just been working on Stox videos which hasn't been super motivation for me to play. So between live and coaching, I've gotten back some motivation. So far my goals for the month (40hs live, 30hrs on-line) should be completed for sure.

Random notes: I've been watching a lot of BBC (the British television network that we get here on cable)...and I love British programing. BBC is, from what I've heard, the “best of the best” in British TV. The accents are awesome, the picture is meh because they don't care about over-producing and making garbage, and they use awesome slang that I don't understand. For anyone that enjoys cars even a bit, I suggest checking out “Top Gear”...where they do car reviews and tons of random activities with cars (like drowning a Toyota truck and racing high-end cars versus airplanes).

Also, check out “Dragon's Den”. It's a show where the “Dragons” (a group of venture capitalists worth well over $20M each) hear pitches from entrepreneurs attempting to get funding for their start-up company. There are some good ideas on the show, but often times they are crap and it's funny to see how badly they prepared for such a situation. Really awesome show for anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur and would need funding at any point. Makes you focus on what VC's will ask during these encounters and also how prepared you need to be (also, how to not answer a question).

Other than that, I had a semi-job interview over the weekend (family contact that wanted to meet me and see what he could help with). I think it went well and that he will be putting me in contact with some people this week. The thing that struck me as odd, is that poker came up. I'm not sure why, but poker might be the hardest thing in a job interview. Because people want to understand the resume gap (even though I graduated in May, apparently they expect you get a job within a month of graduating), so they ask how I've been affording life. I need to figure out a good answer for this, as “I play and coach poker” doesn't seem to feel right. Any suggestions? And on that topic, I love that I graduated when I did!!! The job economy is just booming with good jobs!!! (super sarcasm obviously)

And on that note, a hand before bed (villain ended up being a dude I know from Syracuse (which I did not know at the time)...oddly small world sometimes):

Full Tilt Poker Game #8434276636: Table Wood Plank - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:56:39 ET - 2008/10/10
Seat 1: a88shin ($50)
Seat 2: TBluehand ($50)
Seat 3: turoati ($50)
Seat 4: Its RIGGIGGITY ($50)
Seat 5: MikeB1337 ($50)
Seat 6: Faaantastic ($51.25)
Seat 7: Cransley69 ($80.40)
Seat 8: titralac ($20)
Seat 9: njochems ($50)
Cransley69 posts the small blind of $0.25
titralac posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Its RIGGIGGITY [7d 8h]
njochems folds
a88shin folds
TBluehand folds
turoati folds
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $1.50
MikeB1337 raises to $4.50
Faaantastic folds
Cransley69 folds
titralac folds
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $11
MikeB1337 calls $6.50
*** FLOP *** [6c Qs 7h]
Its RIGGIGGITY bets $39, and is all in
MikeB1337 calls $39, and is all in
Its RIGGIGGITY shows [7d 8h]
MikeB1337 shows [Ac As]
*** TURN *** [6c Qs 7h] [7c]
*** RIVER *** [6c Qs 7h 7c] [4h]
Its RIGGIGGITY shows three of a kind, Sevens
MikeB1337 shows two pair, Aces and Sevens
Its RIGGIGGITY wins the pot ($97.75) with three of a kind, Sevens

*SS*

October 10 - Tilt?

It's been a very solid week thus far. For 1, I got some solid coaching in. Had a few intro sessions this week, and I think the new students are feeling confident. Also did a little bit of playing. I attempted to make a new video for my site, but that failed miserably being everyone at the table wanted to take 9000 seconds to make any damn decision. O well, hopefully I can get one out soon enough. I've been lazy on filling the site with content. With that in mind, if people would like to host a video or so on the Video page...I'd be happy to do so (as long as the video isn't garbage).

Oddly enough, I began to get tilty this week. I've been fairly good about tilt control over the last few months, but lately have been feeling it hard. The tilt is preventing me from putting in solid sessions, and also preventing me from putting in as many sessions as I'd like. I don't feel tilt changes any my plays...but it certainly effects my outlook after a session, makes me get off sessions quickly, and also discourages me from putting in more hours. This deeply concerns me, so I've been putting some work into introspecting.

First, I hate running bad when others run well. This has been a huge reason why I haven't taken HU as seriously as I should. HU is effectively a zero-sum game (obviously rake comes off the table, but winnings are just pushed back and forth)...so if one person is winning, the other is losing, if one is running hot, the other must not be. This crappy thought process creates a dwelling effect on things very much out of my control. I cannot control how I run, I cannot control how “lucky” I am, I cannot control the turn card, I cannot control variance. What I can control is how I react to these things, my decisions, and my overall mental processing.

Now, these things are not easy to control. The work it takes to control how you physically and mentally react to a situation is insane. However, as a person who has chosen poker as my current profession, it would behoove me greatly to increase my control again. So, I watched a Jared Tendler (Stox psychology guy) video on controlling tilt, and began to introspect. Nothing was really said that I wasn't already aware of, but it was a nice refresher on tilt management. I'm now trying to remember to not lash out verbally (no more cursing at the screen) and to stop dwelling. I seem to dwell on “how horrible I run in comparison” often, which I know is a very negative thing to do and has no positives attached to it. I also need to remember that although people do suckout on me, I do suck out on others as well, but my brain will automatically remember when I get sucked out on and forget when I do the sucking out.

So hopefully with another video watched or so, and some more introspection (and maybe a run or so this weekend), I can start feeling more positive. Optimism is something I'm very strong at helping others view in their situations...but not something I excel at in utilizing in my own life in real time. I think I need to start stepping back, relaxing more, and progressing with a new outlook.

With all that out of the way, I guess I'll crash out for a few hours. Thanks for reading like usual, and of course, a hand (I love checking that flop to melt his brain):

Full Tilt Poker Game #8407394083: Table Mean (deep) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:56:49 ET - 2008/10/08
Seat 1: Its RIGGIGGITY ($70.65)
Seat 2: Hanser666 ($122.55)
Seat 3: ViktoriusBIG ($59.20)
Seat 4: sshilton2 ($80)
Seat 5: canael ($50.65)
Seat 6: Mr Dewey ($27.90)
Seat 7: smileagain ($100)
Seat 8: ad1166 ($50)
Seat 9: MogKupo ($100)
ad1166 posts the small blind of $0.25
MogKupo is sitting out
Its RIGGIGGITY posts the big blind of $0.50
MogKupo stands up
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Its RIGGIGGITY [Kd Ah]
Hanser666 folds
ViktoriusBIG folds
canael folds
Mr Dewey folds
smileagain folds
ad1166 raises to $2
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $5.50
ad1166 calls $3.50
*** FLOP *** [As 7c 7s]
ad1166 checks
Its RIGGIGGITY checks
*** TURN *** [As 7c 7s] [Ac]
ad1166 bets $7
Its RIGGIGGITY calls $7
*** RIVER *** [As 7c 7s Ac] [Ad]
ad1166 checks
Its RIGGIGGITY bets $18
ad1166 calls $18
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Its RIGGIGGITY shows [Kd Ah] four of a kind, Aces
ad1166 mucks [5d 5s]
Its RIGGIGGITY wins the pot ($58) with four of a kind, Aces

*SS*

October 7 - Stox Video 1 Released!

So the first video of my Stox series came out on Monday! I think it came out really well, and it looks as though most people who are watching it feel the same way (voted 4.7/5 so far). If you get a chance, check out video #610, and any feedback is more than welcome.

Also finished my video for next Monday, and need to get started on the 3rd installment. I'm not 100% sure what the 3rd video format will be, but I'm thinking that quite a bit of LAG play will be showcased. I've been spending a lot of time thinking about LAG play lately and, through doing these videos and forcing myself to speak out the thought process more, I feel strong right now. So hopefully I can make a solid video and really portray all the info possible.

So in my last post I mentioned being more motivated. Well, I'm doing alright so far. I've put in about 16hrs of live play, and a few hours of on-line. Had a very nice live weekend, and made a few stacks which is always solid. Also met KurtSF this weekend (met him over at Binions) who was a cool kid. I love meeting 2p2'rs...I find it very interesting to see some people's on-line v in-person personas. So I added a few more rooms to my list of places played at, which now consists of Venetian, MGM, Bill's, Binions, and Mandalay Bay. I'd like to play at all the rooms by some point and see no reason why this cannot be done.

Other than poker, I've been playing a ridiculous amount of video games lately. I'm learning Halo (the strategy part), and loving it. I still suck, but I'm finally starting to get double digit scores more often in 4v4 slayer. I also played through Portals once again, which if you have never played it, is an amazing game. Super original, and I love the puzzle aspect of it all. However, I need to cut back on the video games a bit an start grinding more. I hate being lazy and knowing I'm putting in massive amounts of hours playing Halo, and not making money.

And a hand before sleep (my bust-out hand from the microFR HU challenge):

PokerStars Game #20987963930: Tournament #112601992, $5.50+$0.25 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (5/10) - 2008/10/06 - 21:23:39 (ET)
Table '112601992 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: SplitSuit (1469 in chips)
Seat 2: entertainme (2531 in chips)
SplitSuit: posts small blind 5
entertainme: posts big blind 10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to SplitSuit [Qs 2s]
SplitSuit: raises 20 to 30
entertainme: calls 20
*** FLOP *** [Qd 8h 7c]
entertainme: checks
SplitSuit: bets 38
entertainme: calls 38
*** TURN *** [Qd 8h 7c] [2h]
entertainme: checks
SplitSuit: bets 89
entertainme: calls 89
*** RIVER *** [Qd 8h 7c 2h] [4h]
entertainme: bets 250
SplitSuit: raises 1062 to 1312 and is all-in
entertainme: calls 1062
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SplitSuit: shows [Qs 2s] (two pair, Queens and Deuces)
entertainme: shows [7h 7d] (three of a kind, Sevens)
entertainme collected 2938 from pot

*SS*

October 2 - First of the month...

I love the first day of every month. I always consider them a fresh start. At least it's a positive way of looking at things =) With that in mind, it does mark the month of my video series over on Stox (LINK TO SCHEDULE). I'm very excited about it, and hope people check it out and give lots of feedback. I think this video series will help every player of every skill level, as even top-tier players may think about something in a new and profitable light. So check it out as the first video is out on the 6th.

The business stuff is all over the place right now. Hopefully something will solidify within the next few months. I would like to be an entrepreneur by 23 without a doubt. Although an argument can be made that I am one now (have own site + offer a service), I would feel better if the business was something my mother wouldn't sneeze at. That's always been my major issue with poker as a career...the respect you get is much lower than it should be from others.

On top of that, I recently read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” (amazing book about basics of being financially independent/educated), and it really stressed learning as much as possible, because no knowledge is useless. This struck home for me, and I'm currently trying to do just that. My friend and I while researching businesses to start learn so much through the planning process it's insane. Also, I'm trying to learn new skills...so I actually went to a club promoter meeting today to see if I can't improve my personal selling skills. No skill is useless, right? I won't take a full-time job with it by any stretch of the imagination...but learning the skill + the contacts = a fun experience from what I can guess.

So this month is back to grindcore. No more lazy me. Not sure what kind of goals I'm setting yet, but I would like to do about 60hours of live play, and about 30hours of on-line play. No more goals concerning hands...but I would like to play more hours. I think this will help me focus on putting in time, even if I play PLO8 for a few hours...just putting in the hours is good. On a related note...my stakee is doing quite well. Congrats sir =)

Well, I'm exhausted and need sleep, here's a hand from last month to enjoy while I get hands going this month:

Full Tilt Poker Game #8089139888: Table Chip (deep) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:51:42 ET - 2008/09/15
Seat 1: sergeja ($59.05)
Seat 2: crakbaby ($50.70)
Seat 3: NeedAJoker ($50.45)
Seat 4: Baillabong ($54.85)
Seat 5: Its RIGGIGGITY ($54.55)
Seat 6: SiIverstar ($152.60)
Seat 7: TXBee ($50)
Seat 8: BonfireBill ($38.45)
Seat 9: Tilt_Me19 ($47.45)
SiIverstar posts the small blind of $0.25
TXBee posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Its RIGGIGGITY [Js Kh]
BonfireBill folds
Tilt_Me19 folds
sergeja folds
crakbaby folds
NeedAJoker folds
Baillabong folds
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $1.50
SiIverstar folds
TXBee calls $1
*** FLOP *** [5s Jc 6d]
TXBee bets $3.25
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $13
TXBee calls $9.75
*** TURN *** [5s Jc 6d] [Ah]
TXBee bets $35.50, and is all in
Its RIGGIGGITY calls $35.50
TXBee shows [8h 8s]
Its RIGGIGGITY shows [Js Kh]
*** RIVER *** [5s Jc 6d Ah] [7s]
TXBee shows a pair of Eights
Its RIGGIGGITY shows a pair of Jacks
Its RIGGIGGITY wins the pot ($97.25) with a pair of Jacks

*SS*

September 30 - Month almost over!

Thank goodness September is almost over! This month was super hectic between moving (42 hour drive was hellish) and getting settled. Very lazy poker month given everything, which I'm hoping to turn around next month. Not sure if I am still going to go for SuperNova on PS like I had planned (currently have like 800 VPPs...i just wanted the challenge.) Which is really just like 225 hours of 100nl+ 24 tabling. This could easily be done in 2 months if I put my mind to it...but we'll see.

I've been very busy with career stuff as well. I'm currently doing the preliminary work towards getting a business off the ground with my roommate. From the talks we've had with venture capitalists thus far, it seems to be a very plausible and profitable venture if all goes well. Still doing work on that, and am hoping that this becomes a solid business, especially with the ability of expansion if necessary.

Along the same path of the career, I'm also still trying to setup some interviews. I got in contact with a company today that I would absolutely love to work with. They are a business coaching company, which is right up the alley I've been looking for. Coaching is just something I really enjoy, and in the business world you generally just do like 75% consulting, 25% mentoring. Although I'm only 22, my age is actually a benefit given I bring the “young” view point that most corporations lose as time goes on. So tonight I'm going to tweak my resume and hopefully get an interview at some point this week.

Video series for Stox is coming along nicely. The first video is on the 6th of October...so peek that if you get a chance. I'm doing a 4 video series, and doing a mixture between classroom style (powerpoint+audio) and live video. The first video is a beginner video and covers stealing, preflop+flop play, and a lot of the basics of FR NLHE. I'll post links when it's all said and done.

Live poker has been sucking a bit, but it happens. I'm getting very tired of people seeing 80% of flops, and nailing 80% of those. An yet, every time they are in a pot with me...they have me murderfaced. *sigh* Still profit on the stake, but not as much as I'd like...o well. Plenty more time to get rich =) Also...I think I'm meeting up with KurtSF this week...which should be cool. I always love meeting people I've talked to on-line in person, so long as no white vans are parked outside with promises of delicious candy...

And on that note...a hand before I get stuff done (notice villain's awesome line!)...

Full Tilt Poker Game #8173840575: Table Bracken Cliff - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:28:13 ET - 2008/09/21
Seat 1: QLxing ($20.35), is sitting out
Seat 2: thomas852 ($21.45)
Seat 3: Tiema ($41.30)
Seat 4: 1ndAoff1c3 ($55.15)
Seat 5: malukaBr ($38.50)
Seat 6: Its RIGGIGGITY ($50)
Seat 7: DasWisse ($8.95)
Seat 8: ohodge ($61.25)
Seat 9: Give2Charity ($52.55)
DasWisse posts the small blind of $0.25
ohodge posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Its RIGGIGGITY [6h Qc]
Give2Charity folds
thomas852 folds
Tiema folds
1ndAoff1c3 folds
malukaBr calls $0.50
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $2
DasWisse folds
ohodge folds
malukaBr calls $1.50
*** FLOP *** [6s 2h Ac]
malukaBr bets $0.50
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $2.50
malukaBr calls $2
*** TURN *** [6s 2h Ac] [6c]
malukaBr bets $0.50
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $7.25
malukaBr calls $6.75
*** RIVER *** [6s 2h Ac 6c] [3h]
malukaBr bets $0.50
Its RIGGIGGITY raises to $26.50
malukaBr raises to $26.75, and is all in
Its RIGGIGGITY calls $0.25
*** SHOW DOWN ***
malukaBr shows [4c 5c] a straight, Six high
Its RIGGIGGITY mucks
malukaBr wins the pot ($74.75) with a straight, Six high

*SS*

September 24 - Back to it...

Just wanted to put something up since it has been a few days. I'm in the process of trying to learn HULHE. I currently suck very much at it, and it's fun because in seeing 80% of flops, and like 40% of rivers...I get to see how truly bad I run! Only down like 50BB playing 2/4HU (I have a severe stop-loss in the learning stage to a.) control the “loss” feeling differential than NLHE, b.) not get super frustrated over 100BB downs that happens, and c.) it's good for ya)....but it really is amazing how often people will hit 2pr when I have a piece. Or how often I get notched...O well...just keep on grinding.

Finally starting to put in more sessions. I got very lazy for a bit there, and I'm finally back to putting in like 2 sessions/day at a minimum...playing through FTP and PS. It hasn't been fun by any stretch (more set < set, set < flush, notched trips, etc), but at least I'm getting back in the swing of things. I also figured out a huge transitional leak I had. So in fixing that, I now either 1.) put in a 35min-1hr session playing my normal aggro game...or 2.) put in 45min of aggro, then super tone-down. I realized I wasn't adjusting as well as I should against people adjusting to my stealing and such...and that should pay off well in the near future.

I've recently pumped my FR stats up a bit. I'm running like 16/12/3.5 on average, ATS of 60%. It's actually kind of fun, and people are just so passive it's amazing. I just need to either 1.) cooler people more or 2.) dodge more often...and all will be gravy.

Other than that, Kingjamen got neutered the other day. Poor guy. He's still a bit sluggish...but he's starting to get his swagger back...slowly but surely. Not really sure what personality changes I should be noticing, but I'm really hoping he stops marking on furniture. He doesn't really do it in the house...but he will in a new place (or...did. I haven't taken him any place new since the operation). So I'll keep an eye on that and hope all goes well.

Things to do...make a video for my site (whoops...been awhile), finalize my Stox video, and finalize my Poohbah.

And a hand before bed (“mis-click”...I guess I got away with it because I was running 42/35 over 45 hands on this table?):

PokerStars Game #20645760683: Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2008/09/23 - 21:55:01 (ET)
Table 'Glauke IV' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: jimmyoscar ($74.80 in chips)
Seat 2: JayDollars ($45.90 in chips)
Seat 3: freddy827 ($49.55 in chips)
Seat 4: Soply ($53.10 in chips)
Seat 5: cahchetes ($42.45 in chips)
Seat 6: xTJaxx ($49.50 in chips)
Seat 7: K'zUpQ'zDoWn ($48.65 in chips)
Seat 8: 7curse ($51.25 in chips)
Seat 9: ihibitor ($99.85 in chips)
Soply: posts small blind $0.25
cahchetes: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to 7curse [Ah As]
xTJaxx: folds
K'zUpQ'zDoWn: folds
7curse: raises $24.50 to $25
ihibitor: folds
jimmyoscar: calls $25
JayDollars: folds
freddy827: folds
Soply: folds
cahchetes: folds
*** FLOP *** [6c Qs 5s]
7curse: bets $26.25 and is all-in
jimmyoscar: calls $26.25
*** TURN *** [6c Qs 5s] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [6c Qs 5s 9d] [Tc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
7curse: shows [Ah As] (a pair of Aces)
jimmyoscar: mucked [2d 2h]
7curse collected $100.25 from pot

*SS*