My boot camp week. ALL comments greatly appreciated.

I would really like your opinions on this.

It's my "vacation" time of the year -- and I'm going to devote a week to kick starting my poker abilities/bankroll/etc. Here's my goals, and I want to see what y'all think:

My current roll is $187.95. I have plenty of pending bonuses at FTP ($520), and by the end of the week -- my goal is to be sitting on at least $500, including bonuses.

Here's my plan to get there while 4-tabling $10NL:

I want to amass $120 in bonuses, and to do so, I need to acquire 1,942 Full Tilt points, which equates to approximately 10k hands. I figure I'll have to play about 50 hours in the week -- which would require a 50 hands/hr rate at my four tables.

Assuming I break even, this would put my roll at $307.95. Therefore, I'll have to make about $200 over 10k hands, which is around 10ptbb/100. I've run right around this for my first 5k hands (yes a small sample, of course) -- but that's the goal.

My first metric will be: 300 FT points a day until 3/24. I think if the other numbers fall into place, I'll get there.

I'll keep y'all updated!

Best,
EW

Here's the start at 930 CDT on 4/17:

$: 187.95
Bonus cleared: $83.48 (released every $20)
FTPoints: 1,391.35

First goal -- nail down 300 FTPoints tonight, and hopefully get the according profits.

Best,
EW

Wow, that's a lot of poker, good luck NoSocks!

I think you will need a vacation after your vacation.
good luck

So -- yeah -- okay -- day one went nothing like the plan

I played 1247 hands, which took approximately 7 hours. I did unlock $20 in bonus, however, I lost $28.75 -- putting my roll at $179.20.

Personally, I think I lost some sharpness after about 3-4 hours, so I think I'm going to play about two hours at a time (say around 300-400 hands), take a small break, and then repeat. Anyone have experience with this? I pretty much lost every "big dollar" pot...and although I was a little unlucky, it felt like I wasn't completely at the top of my game.

Here's my numbers for the session. I would appreciate your help.

Final: $179.20 (-$28.75 for the day)
Bonus unlocked: $100.08 (+$16.60 for the day)
FTP: 1668 (276.65 for the day)

Hand Statistics:
1297 hands
229 flops (18%)
133 turns (10%)
87 rivers (7%)
57 showdowns (4%)

won 10 hands preflop
16 hands on flop
11 hands on turn
9 hands on river
and 32 of 57 showdowns (56%)

I ran at -11ptbb/100. Not guud.

Would appreciate any comments.

Best,
EW

I also lose my clarity after 3 hours playing 2 tables.

Nothing beats a good 8 hour 5 tabling session!

Okay...here's the plan for today.

I want to play about 1700 hands, in hope of clearing my next bonus level. Still hoping to run at 10 ptbb/100 -- my final balance goal for today is about $230-235.

In order to help break it all up, I plan to play around 400 hands in four separate sessions, with breaks in between. We'll see how this works.

Best,
EW

This is the dream, isn't it? Just play the shit out of poker!! Play until poker oozes from your pores.

I'm with you.

But it is alot tougher than it looks. Absolutely don't play more than 4 hours at a time. And don't play Less than 2 hours. There's a happy medium between being In the Zone and being strung out and useless. I generally play 3-4 hours at a time twice a day (if at all possible).

Next, Playing non-stop builds up what I call "emotional toxins". Generally players only play for an hour or 3 then they have a long break of a day or more before they play again. AND the Pressure of making a Goal (like you have) isn't there. Playing with less downtime, playing more hours, and having to "make goal" all build up very quickly and cause emotional insanity. If it feels like your brain is turning into a pretzel ... that's what I'm talking about. One massive skill "pros" have is the ability to slough off or shake off emotional buildup. You don't have that expeience. But just know that it's bad to have emotional buildup. It degrades your game.

Soooo, when you do take breaks you need to make them physical. Exercise, mow the yard, go for a drive with the windows down, play with the dog, have sex. Do something physical. It disipates the emotional energy faster and more completely. Also, get a 5 second Memory. Forget what happened 5 seconds ago. Don't carry the last hand into the next hand. Don't let the bad play get in your head. When that happens just say this "It's Never too late to play Good Poker."

It's never too late to play good poker!

That's the magic incantation that will help you correct your own bad play.

When you get a bad beat congratulate yourself for playing it right. Know that the majority of them will go your way. And use your 5 second memory to forget it.

50 hours a poker in a week is not THAT MUCH. in 9 days, it's only 5.5 or something hours per day. In 7 days it's 7 hours, but you need to break it up and take good breaks in between.

Don't just sit and THINK or watch TV with poker rolling in your head.

Don't rush when you play. You're going to be there ALL WEEK. Take your time. Win the pots you can and get OUT of the pots that you're beat. Don't play crap or maginal hands. Don't bluff without a strong read or a healthy power table image and a big stack to prove it.

Just play "cards". That's how you play multi-tables for multi-hours - or at least it's how I do. I can mentally be doing anything but poker until I get 2 hole cards that I want to play. THEN I engage.

Good luck. Keep your head. Stay calm. Take physical breaks. Understand that You Can Lose. You don't have to succeed (just because you WANT to). You know what I mean by that?

YOU have to play quality poker EVER hand, EVERY hour or get the hell off the tables.

Good Luck.

Originally Posted by aokrongly

...play with the dog, have sex...

when I was doing MTT's that started at 8 or 9 pm and went to 4 or 5 am (after working all day). I became an expert at taking a 4.5 minute Cold shower. If I was in the money late and moving toward a final table, when I 5 minute break came I would take a fast cold shower to refresh.

In other words. Do whatever it takes to stay sharp!

Thanks for the advice, Aok. I think I could definitely feel my brain turning to moosh about 4-5 hours in.

I wanted to post this hand history. Is this shame on me? Honestly, I thought the bets were far out of proportion, given history, the situation, and stack size. I was correct on that portion -- and just got beat. However, should I have stayed away altogether?

Full Tilt Poker Game #576360624: Table Beale - $0.05/$0.10 - No Limit Hold'em - 15:50:13 ET - 2006/04/18
Seat 1: sweaty ase ($8.40)
Seat 2: pasuuna ($3.05)
Seat 3: pw168 ($2.05)
Seat 4: me ($10.10)
Seat 5: aloblaw ($2.35)
Seat 6: Yahtzee13 ($0), is sitting out
Seat 7: bravo10 ($2.45)
Seat 8: ICEGOON ($9.55)
Seat 9: Gagetown ($11.70)
Yahtzee13 adds $4
aloblaw posts the small blind of $0.05
bravo10 posts the big blind of $0.10
Yahtzee13 has returned
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to me [Qs Qh]
ICEGOON folds
Gagetown folds
sweaty ase folds
pasuuna folds
pw168 folds
me raises to $0.30
aloblaw calls $0.25
bravo10 calls $0.20
*** FLOP *** [7c Ts Kh]
aloblaw bets $0.30
bravo10 calls $0.30
me raises to $0.60
aloblaw raises to $2.05, and is all in
bravo10 raises to $2.15, and is all in
me has 15 seconds left to act
aloblaw: your beating me
me calls $1.55
bravo10 shows [Th Js]
me shows [Qs Qh]
aloblaw shows [9s 8d]
*** TURN *** [7c Ts Kh] [Jh]
*** RIVER *** [7c Ts Kh Jh] [Qd]
PokerCake0 (Observer): Think your good enough to get sponsored for high stakes? find out at PokerLip.com
bravo10 shows two pair, Jacks and Tens
me shows three of a kind, Queens
me wins the side pot ($0.20) with three of a kind, Queens
aloblaw shows a straight, King high
aloblaw wins the main pot ($6.35) with a straight, King high
bravo10 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $7.25 Main pot $7.05. Side pot $0.20. | Rake $0.70
Board: [7c Ts Kh Jh Qd]
Seat 1: sweaty ase didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: pasuuna didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pw168 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: me (button) showed [Qs Qh] and won ($0.20) with three of a kind, Queens
Seat 5: aloblaw (small blind) showed [9s 8d] and won ($6.35) with a straight, King high
Seat 6: Yahtzee13 is sitting out
Seat 7: bravo10 (big blind) showed [Th Js] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 8: ICEGOON didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: Gagetown didn't bet (folded)


Any opinions? Thanks for all your help!

Best,
EW

Originally Posted by aokrongly

Don't just sit and THINK or watch TV with poker rolling in your head.

...

Just play "cards". That's how you play multi-tables for multi-hours - or at least it's how I do. I can mentally be doing anything but poker until I get 2 hole cards that I want to play. THEN I engage.

I'm a little confused by these points. Would you mind describing your general thoughts/actions/mindset when you are playing? I assume you run somewhere just below 20% of flops seen, so you should stay pretty active if playing 3 or more tables...but what exactly are you thinking?

Best,
EW

Ehh, I really dont like that hand. preflop I would have made a raise to around $0.50, on that flop there is an overcard and a bet and a call ahead of you, typically I would assume one of them has a king and would consider laying down. You raised, but only a minimum raise, that really wont get anybody to fold. If you are going to raise, which I dont think I would do, make it typically atleast 3x your opponents bet. After your raise, you were rereaised all-in, and another player called the all in. After that action there is no way Im calling, two players all in ahead of me means that 2nd pair isnt going to be good. In this case it was, but I cant imagine you are ahead enough of the time to make this play profitable.

I'm just not playing sharp over the last 1,000 hands. Not really sure why, but I'm taking a small break now.

I'd consider this hand the worst of my poker career...why? Look at the chat!

Full Tilt Poker Game #576400496: Table Tierra De Palmas - $0.05/$0.10 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:12:32 ET - 2006/04/18
Seat 1: BoxingPikey ($11.25)
Seat 2: ICEGOON ($9.95)
Seat 3: NoSocksLLC ($9.55)
Seat 4: Roland______xx ($8.25)
Seat 5: mintgreen ($7.85)
Seat 6: gnivar ($7.75)
Seat 7: FloriDude ($6.75)
Seat 8: vinny_d_chin ($3.70)
Seat 9: Dole40 ($10.10)
gnivar posts the small blind of $0.05
FloriDude posts the big blind of $0.10
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to NoSocksLLC [Kh Qc]
vinny_d_chin calls $0.10
Dole40 folds
BoxingPikey calls $0.10
ICEGOON folds
NoSocksLLC calls $0.10
Roland______xx calls $0.10
mintgreen calls $0.10
gnivar calls $0.05
FloriDude checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs 7h 8c]
gnivar checks
FloriDude checks
vinny_d_chin checks
BoxingPikey checks
NoSocksLLC bets $0.40
Roland______xx folds
mintgreen folds
gnivar calls $0.40
FloriDude folds
vinny_d_chin folds
BoxingPikey folds
*** TURN *** [Qs 7h 8c] [2c]
gnivar bets $0.60
NoSocksLLC raises to $1.20
gnivar raises to $2.50
NoSocksLLC calls $1.30
*** RIVER *** [Qs 7h 8c 2c] [4c]
gnivar has 15 seconds left to act
gnivar bets $3
NoSocksLLC : I'm pissing $ away. You have two pair.
NoSocksLLC calls $3
*** SHOW DOWN ***
gnivar shows [Qh 8h] (two pair, Queens and Eights)
NoSocksLLC mucks
gnivar wins the pot ($11.25) with two pair, Queens and Eights
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $12.50 | Rake $1.25
Board: [Qs 7h 8c 2c 4c]
Seat 1: BoxingPikey folded on the Flop
Seat 2: ICEGOON didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: NoSocksLLC mucked [Kh Qc] - a pair of Queens
Seat 4: Roland______xx folded on the Flop
Seat 5: mintgreen (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: gnivar (small blind) showed [Qh 8h] and won ($11.25) with two pair, Queens and Eights
Seat 7: FloriDude (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: vinny_d_chin folded on the Flop
Seat 9: Dole40 didn't bet (folded)

Doh. I need to pull my head from my ass.

Best,
EW

Why are you minraising the turn? Play your next 1k hands without minraising, make real raises so that if you get reraised or they call you can be more sure they have something and then fold. On that turn I would simply call, that would probably get a smaller bet on the river which Id have to call, a bet of that size I am not calling with TPGK.

On a sidenote, you say you have $520 in bonuses, how much did you deposit to get that? Given that and the few hands Ive seen I think you have other things you need to worry about right now. Play 1 or 2 tables and focus on those tables, get down the fundamentals before you start adding tables. A losing player will lose money quicker and learn slower playing several tables, even a winning player doesnt automatically win more with more tables. Take the 50 or how ever many hours you were going to play and cut that down to 20 or 25, and cut your tables in half, or even down to one. Take that extra time to review your hands and to read these forums.

aokrongly

have sex

I would hope your not able to get this done in the 5 minute breaks that happen.

A couple of things I will do. I am sure your have your own set "rules" of when you "walk away" from a table. When these kick into gear for me I will go to ebaumsworld watch some messed up videos for a break or Since I have Comcast I will watch On Demand programs ( Cable is boring with out it ) Just to " get my mind off poker". And while I am at a table ( Ring or MTT if I was moved ) Since I am playing at PS I go to the instant hand history. It shows the last 5 hands of that table, and then I get an Idea of the images of at least 2 people from it..

As I see it people think it is all about the cards. So they constantly think
" What would I do with A K or PP ?" These things are going to be intuitive so I generally will be thinking, What is person a's reaction going to be. So I think more into reads then I do about the cards.

Since I play Home/Local games alot still, and I do not want to get into the habit of tells and reactions to the flop or anything like this I have Chips sitting on my desk next to my mouse and I shuffle them like I do in Live games. This does 2 things for me. 1) Keeps me from making hastey desisions from being able to click the mouse and 2) My demeanor stays the same no matter the outcome.

And Last but not least. You have set a "Goal". You should not take it as a I have to reach it or else. If you get into that mind set you "may" do things you would not ordinarily do. Call something you know your beat " for that little chance" Just to because of the pressure your putting on yourself. Poker is for Fun, when you take that element out it looses all apeal.
My little 2¢.

AS I am writting this I just came up with a new sig.

Originally Posted by andy-akb

Why are you minraising the turn? Play your next 1k hands without minraising, make real raises so that if you get reraised or they call you can be more sure they have something and then fold. On that turn I would simply call, that would probably get a smaller bet on the river which Id have to call, a bet of that size I am not calling with TPGK.

On a sidenote, you say you have $520 in bonuses, how much did you deposit to get that? Given that and the few hands Ive seen I think you have other things you need to worry about right now. Play 1 or 2 tables and focus on those tables, get down the fundamentals before you start adding tables. A losing player will lose money quicker and learn slower playing several tables, even a winning player doesnt automatically win more with more tables. Take the 50 or how ever many hours you were going to play and cut that down to 20 or 25, and cut your tables in half, or even down to one. Take that extra time to review your hands and to read these forums.

Andy,

I think you bring up a lot of good points.

I just recently started playing online, and the more I play, the more I think (or know, possibly) that I'm not really too much of a winning player. I've been able to turn small profits, but many have been helped by the bonuses.

In order to get that bonus, I deposited $600, and then removed all but $100. Since I've gotten $100 in bonus, so I'm down about $37 on that account, since it currently sits at $163.

I also have another account (the previous is shared by myself and my roommate, although I play it) which has $219 at Casino.net. I'm working to clear that bonus, and I'm around 130 raked hands away (another $70 in bonus).

I think what I'm going to do is this: I will begin playing 2-tabled at FTP on my FTP account, and do so until I've maintained a 10ptbb/100 win rate for at least 10,000 running hands. At that point, I'll ask here about either adding tables or moving to $25NL, depending on where my bankroll is.

For the casino.net account, I'll be moving the $ to Party once I clear the bonus. I guess I'll play 2-tabled $10NL there until I run my balance to $500.

Let me know what you think about these things.

Best,
EW

Originally Posted by NoSocksLLC

Andy,

I think you bring up a lot of good points.

I just recently started playing online, and the more I play, the more I think (or know, possibly) that I'm not really too much of a winning player. I've been able to turn small profits, but many have been helped by the bonuses.

In order to get that bonus, I deposited $600, and then removed all but $100. Since I've gotten $100 in bonus, so I'm down about $37 on that account, since it currently sits at $163.

I didnt know you could withdraw part of your deposit and keep the deposit bonus associated with it, thats not as bad as I had though then.

I also have another account (the previous is shared by myself and my roommate, although I play it) which has $219 at Casino.net. I'm working to clear that bonus, and I'm around 130 raked hands away (another $70 in bonus).

Finish this bonus first and then withdraw your money, this should be very easy to finish

I think what I'm going to do is this: I will begin playing 2-tabled at FTP on my FTP account, and do so until I've maintained a 10ptbb/100 win rate for at least 10,000 running hands. At that point, I'll ask here about either adding tables or moving to $25NL, depending on where my bankroll is.

I think this is good, but I wouldnt wait that long to add tables. If you are winning over a few thousand hands AND are confident in your play, then add another table, and repeat the process. Id aim to be up to 4 tables after 10k hands or so. I do think its a good idea to wait until you are at atleast 10ptbb/100 hands before moving up to $25nl, thats exactly what I did and it really helps with your confidence.

For the casino.net account, I'll be moving the $ to Party once I clear the bonus. I guess I'll play 2-tabled $10NL there until I run my balance to $500.

I like moving the money over to party, thats exactly what I did when I hit $500 and it has worked out well. Again, as I said before, add a table every few thousand hands if you are winning, you should be at 4 tables, or atleast 3 by 10k hands and it will really get you ready for $25nl.

My question:

Curious where y'all think I should move my $ next. My account has $220, with a $70 bonus once I clear another 130 raked hands. Hopefully, I'll be around $300 after tonight, but that's just a guess...

So -- I'm going to go to party once I can run at 10ptbb/100 -- BUT, until then, I need a place that has .05/.10 tables that I can use to (hopefully) run my BR up to $500, since PP's smallest tables are $25NL.

Where should I go in your opinion?

Best,
EW

Originally Posted by SuperDave9x19

I also lose my clarity after 3 hours playing 2 tables.

Who is your avatar?

Originally Posted by NoSocksLLC

Originally Posted by aokrongly

Don't just sit and THINK or watch TV with poker rolling in your head.

...

Just play "cards". That's how you play multi-tables for multi-hours - or at least it's how I do. I can mentally be doing anything but poker until I get 2 hole cards that I want to play. THEN I engage.

I'm a little confused by these points. Would you mind describing your general thoughts/actions/mindset when you are playing? I assume you run somewhere just below 20% of flops seen, so you should stay pretty active if playing 3 or more tables...but what exactly are you thinking?

Best,
EW

this is confusing. When your brain has turned to mush, or when you are overwhelmed, or when you have negative emotional buildup, THEN don't just sit and watch TV or think about poker. Do something else - sex is goot.

Next thought... The best way to handle long session and back to back long sessions is to have a predictable game that you play.. i.e. "cards", not "poker". "Poker" to me involves reads and moves and position and action and really actively being involved. "Cards" is what I do - 19 hand, scripted betting strategy. I could almost program a computer to do it, but there's about 10% that takes feel.

That's what I meant. I just wrote it poorly.

Originally Posted by NoSocksLLC

My question:

Curious where y'all think I should move my $ next. My account has $220, with a $70 bonus once I clear another 130 raked hands. Hopefully, I'll be around $300 after tonight, but that's just a guess...

So -- I'm going to go to party once I can run at 10ptbb/100 -- BUT, until then, I need a place that has .05/.10 tables that I can use to (hopefully) run my BR up to $500, since PP's smallest tables are $25NL.

Where should I go in your opinion?

Best,
EW

My experience at 10nl has been at pokerstars, plenty of tables and plenty of fish, I would say deposit there.

So, my "boot camp" week has dramatically changed format -- thanks to many good comments and helpful posts.

At this point, here's my plan:

First the rules:
1. I'll only be playing three hour sessions, unless something external prevents that. I think that three hours appears to be the optimum amount.
2. I will be taking definite breaks in between sessions, making sure to clear my mind.
3. For now, I'll only be two-tabling. I went back and reviewed, and I haven't really had a good session with four tables, so maybe that's one of my recent problems.

My current roll (at FTP): $161.95
By Sunday night goal (with bonuses): $275

I will be playing two sessions (six hours total) on Wednesday and Thursday, three sessions (nine hours) on Friday and Saturday, and then capping it off with another two session day on Sunday.

Pretty much, I need to run at approximately 10ptbb/100 to make this happen, and I think that's quite possible. I'll keep y'all posted.

Best,
EW

Originally Posted by spoonitnow

Originally Posted by SuperDave9x19

I also lose my clarity after 3 hours playing 2 tables.

Who is your avatar?

dunno.

just a random "save as" from another forum. She has big juggs, a nice smile and a reasonable waistline.

I intend to cycle large breasted women on a monthly basis. I am glad I married one.

Originally Posted by NoSocksLLC

My current roll (at FTP): $161.95
By Sunday night goal (with bonuses): $275

Pretty much, I need to run at approximately 10ptbb/100 to make this happen, and I think that's quite possible. I'll keep y'all posted.

One thing that I think you should work on is not making goals like this, because you really dont have much control over that. Make a goal on how many hands to play, how often to post hands, review sessions, etc. but numbers based goals arent that helpful because you dont have any direct control over that.

Originally Posted by SuperDave9x19

Originally Posted by spoonitnow

Originally Posted by SuperDave9x19

I also lose my clarity after 3 hours playing 2 tables.

Who is your avatar?

dunno.

just a random "save as" from another forum. She has big juggs, a nice smile and a reasonable waistline.

I intend to cycle large breasted women on a monthly basis. I am glad I married one.

Damn.