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Operation: $2NL to $200NL [PHASE I: Microstakes] - COMPLETE
Introduction
Alright folks this is my operation! Starting at $2NL I will do whatever it takes to make it to $200NL. Failure is not an option. It's going to take a long time, and most of all it's going to take alot of hard work. As of now I don't ever see myself going beyond $200NL but I do believe it is possible. I plan on doing alot of reading and deeper analysis of poker during May-June when I have time off. For now I'll mostly be grinding microstakes and spending alot of time going over readings and hand histories in attempt to build my roll. I started with $50, and as of writing this intial post I'm at $250. Some of this was from cash game winnings, others were small MTT's, and my short-stacking experiment.
Note: since $200NL is a little far off, I'm going to lay out some intermediate goals in between the start and finish here. My ultimate goal is to reach $200NL of course, but to do that I obviously need to set out numerous goals along the way. I'll get to those in a minute.
A Bit About Me
First I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a business student majoring in finance. School is going well. It can be tough at times but overall not super difficult. The formula's and charts etc. can get a bit boring, but I love the concepts and practicality of the subject matter. This sounds pretty nerdy, but I actually enjoy doing my readings...lol. I'm in my 2nd year, and I still don't know exactly what I want to do yet, however I'm probably looking at something like a Financial Planner or Financial Analyst type career. I like helping people so I'd probably be better at the planning, but I'll see how the rest of my semester unfolds.
Note: For the most part, this operation I will be everything poker related, however I may throw in some random posts about other things in my life. For now, I'll stick to the poker, and we'll see how the operation unfolds.
How I Will Get There
Well it's pretty obvious, but following sound bankroll management principles is step 1. Without proper bankroll management, somewhere I will end up looking failure in the eye - and this isn't something I'm willing to accept. For more information on what games I'm playing, see under heading: A Note Regarding Full Ring Vs 6-max.
Short Term Goals (As of March 17th)
1) Picking better spots to continuation bet
2) Thinking more about why an action is being taken (I tend to bet out of pure aggression as opposed to logic sometimes)
3) Think about pot control, equity, ranges
4) Read PNL 2-3 times until I know everything inside out
5) Work on mood management. Learn to leave the game when feeling tired/tilty/frustrated and so on. This has improved alot after I've taken notice of it, I still leave it on the list so I don't lose it.
6) Have a plan for the hand. I've found it's so much easier to make the correct play by planning it ahead of time. I need to do this more often.
7) Put in enough volume, effort, study, etc. to move up to $25NL by May 1st.
Long Term Goals
1) Learn more. Alot more. Continuosly aim to enhance my poker knowledge and skills.
2) Start following a workout routine (looking to get more into this during the summer, I see that alot of the balla's work pretty hard not just on on their knowledge of the game and session reviews, but also fitness)
3) Work my way out of microstakes and obtain a bankroll to handle $200NL without depositing again. Everything will be made from my intial $50 stake.
4) Eventually get a coach/mentor. I won't get one until I get till probably $100NL or $200NL. Of course one would be helpful right now, but I feel it's best I work really hard at poker on my own for the time being.
Final Word
I'll be updating the list of goals as I go on. If anyone has any comments or recommendations on my goals I would really appreciate any feedback. I'm not sure if what I have so far is too short/long or lacking direction, but if it is I definately want to change that. I think my goals my be lacking a specific time frame, so I'll try to add in dates. I'm not sure If I'm going to do the whole daily results post thing on how much I'm up or down on the day. I don't want to fret over it since I think its a bit too results oriented. Maybe I'll post some weekly's.
NEW UPDATE! ***RULES REGARDING BANKROLL MANAGEMENT AND STAKE CHECKLIST***
1. $2NL........................ $ 50 ----------------- 25 BI's ..........COMPLETE
2. $5NL........................ $ 150 --------------- 30 BI's ..........COMPLETE
3. $10NL...................... $ 300 --------------- 30 BI's..........COMPLETE
4. $25NL...................... $ 875 --------------- 35 BI's
5. $50NL...................... $ 1,750 ------------- 35 BI's
6. $100NL.................... $ 4,000 ------------- 40 BI's
7. $200NL.................... $ 10,000 ----------- 50 BI's
With this progression I project to spend an increasing alotment of time for each new stake. To help move up quicker, once I reach Gold or Platinum Star, I will consider purchasing bonuses with my FPP's. I don't imagine playing past $200NL, but I strongly believe that this is goal achieveable because I'm willing to put in the effort.
Notes:
As my game has progressed iIve become more comfortable playing deep in cash games. I'll generally leave the table if I'm OOP vs another deepstack, but I love being in position deep now. I think it might have something to do with understanding pot control more after reading PNL. Buying that book was for sure a good investment.
NEW UPDATE! *A Note Regarding Full Ring Vs 6-max*
I will be primarily playing full ring - however, I want to become a better all-around player, so I'll be making some time to play short handed here and there. But, for 6-max, I will play at least 1 level below where I am for full ring. There are two reasons for this:
1) 6-max is a more volatile game, and because of the higher variance, therefore I would prefer to have more buy-ins
2) I've played more full ring than 6-max, so I'm not sure which is really my best game, however for the time being I feel I'm stronger at full ring, so I'd like to play against a slightly weaker opposition for 6-max if I have the choice.
Also, for the BR MGT stake checklist, it's a representation of full ring. I won't bother including which level of 6-max I've completed since it will generally be 1 or more levels below full ring and won't include as many hands.
NEW UPDATE! *Game Selection*
I'm starting to incorporate more 6-max into my sessions. I've noticed there are some really juicy 6-max tables running if you table select well. I also want to start getting more 6-max experience and become a strong short-handed player. For that reason, I'll be grinding 6-max at the same level as I play full ring now, unless I'm either A) not performing or B) don't feel I'm ready yet. To make sure I succeed I'm going to be honest with myself about where I feel my game is at, and from that gauge whether or not I should be playing down a level for 6-max games.
Lastly, a quote from Illfavor that I feel is essential to be reminded of:
Originally Posted by Illfavor
Money doesn't matter.
Do you know this?
Money doesn't matter
Only +EV, and -EV.
Stop looking at your charts. Stop looking at your winrate. Start calculating the EV of your plays, and that is all.
I'm talking to YOU.
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