So I've been half-assing my posts here on the OP. Nothing much of significance has been happening in my game. But, recently, I moved to 25NL (as most of you probably [didn't] read). I thought nothing of the move...just another stake up I figured. However, it is the biggest transition I've ever made (granted, I've only made two prior transitions). The players here actually...kind of...think. KIND OF. And I love it. I love learning more pokers.

I've only played three sessions in 25NL so I will not be making any generalizations. I still have to get used to the stack and pot sizes. I see $25 and get all excited. I see $40 pots and get all excited. I am sitting at a table with $55 and get all nervous/excited. What I'm trying to say is I have to get rid of my hard-on for the amount of money at the table and realize that it's the SAME amount of big blinds as before.

With my hard-on for these "bigger" stacks comes nerves. I WILL NOT open six tables (yet). Six tables at 10NL represented a little bit above 10% of my bankroll. Six tables at 25NL represents over 20% of my bankroll. Mentally, I cannot put that much up at one time. I will only play four tables until I reach a bankroll of $800+. Of course, this is subject to change.

With bigger stakes comes bigger sessions. What I mean by that is...I am winning (or losing) more money per session. However, again, I MUST get used to the fact that it is the SAME as 10NL in terms of buy-ins. In today's session, I was up 2.5 buy-ins. This is $62.50. Of course, I thought "omg omg...a lot of money." But seriously, 2.5 buy-ins is standard (you know what I mean). There's nothing too special about it. I am just still in 10NL mode where this would be 6.25 buy-ins. 6.25 buy-ins is a great session (imo). But...I'M NOT IN 10NL. Again, I must stop thinking in terms of money.

I believe this distortion of money comes with the transition into 25NL (in relation to the other transition in stakes I've had). From 2NL to 5NL, I was used to sitting at the table with $5 (as I bought in for as much as possible). From 5NL to 10NL, I was used to sitting at a table with $10. Additionally, the stakes only doubled. However, from 10NL to 25NL, the stakes went up by 2.5x and I was only sitting at a table with up to $10. If I doubled up at 10NL, I would be sitting there with $20 (still not $25 ldo). When I double up in 25NL, I'm sitting there with $50. This is a lot more than I'm used to.

Has anyone else felt the same way when going into 25NL? I'm not complaining or saying it is hurting my game in any way. I'm not playing scared really. I'm simply saying it's a bit of a shock that I must adapt to.

I figure now would be a good time to design a bit of a game plan of when to move up to 50NL. Unlike my last game plan, it will not be based on reaching a certain bankroll. That may be a good idea when planning to move out of the 10NL and below (since, I think, you want to get the hell out of there ASAP), but at 25NL, you want to be sure you're BEATING the game. You want to be sure that you can handle medium stakes. You want to be ready to take on 50NL (where players probably are thinking even MORE!).

I hope to play 40-50K hands at 25NL (does anyone suggest I play more?). Hopefully, by that time I will be rolled for 50NL. I will be withdrawing periodically from my bankroll. This will be my way of yanking the chain and NOT letting myself take an early stab at 50NL (it also works as a reward system). A lot of you will say that I don't have self-discipline. I disagree. I do have self-discipline...but for one reason or another, this is my way of ensuring I don't go to 50NL prematurely.

I will not be withdrawing much from my roll at 25NL. The plan is to withdraw $250 at every $500 benchmark. Therefore, I will withdraw at $1250, $1500, and $1750. How is that every $500 benchmark? Well, when I withdraw $250 from my $1250 roll, it will leave me with $1000. I must then get to $1500 to withdraw once again...leaving me with $1250 and so on. This is, obviously, also subject to change. Most of you may say that I shouldn't withdraw at 25NL...but back in my real life, I have an inconsistent job and credit card bills that need to be stopped (it kills me to owe a bank money knowing those sons of bitches are charging me interest [interest = -EV]). I did not come up with this idea by myself...I actually saw an idea like this one in this thread: HERE.

As for live poker, I do not have the bankroll for it. Credit card bills are mounting up and it is irresponsible of me to take cheap shots at live poker with a tiny bankroll.

That is all for now boys and girls. I apologize for the shitty posts as of late...but hopefully this was a good one.

Bankroll: $660