My Poker Challenge

So, I am back into poker for the first time in a few months. This time I have a new motive, so will post some background first. Stay with me.


I got made redundant about 6 months ago. I used my bank roll at the time as a basis to make money that I could withdraw. As I am living with my parents so outgoings are small - but still need covering. I used my Br of $300 to play $25nl. Not exactly sensible but I did well for a few months. Withdrawing about $200-$250 a week. But eventually after a few bad beats I tilted big time and ended up blowing the remainder in one big heads up STT.

After a long time of looking for a job that i wanted and having no luck. I started to look for any old job - again to no avail. The sheer number of applicants was not helping. Eventually a mate of a mate got me in where he works - no interview - just a job. I owe him big time for this, but it isnt exactly a long term career path. Its a bottom of the barrell job.
I plan to move out soon and move in with my partner. Just need to get a job near her then move in.

Im not totally sure why I am doing a bankroll challenge. I think it is to prove to myself what I can do if I put my mind to it. I have turned a small deposit of circa $75 into $500 a few times in the past. But lose direction once I hit $500 and eventually withdraw or lose it.

I am good enough to beat nearly all players at $10nl (not hard I know ) and most at $25nl. The thing that I need to work on is discipline (I know its a big aspect of a good poker player). I need to be able to press exit when I lose a big pot, get a bad beat or am playing too many hands due to a wandering mind.

I have set a few methods in place to help with this.

So my challenge is this. To still have a bankroll when I have found my now job and to have added to it. Even just a little so I have a reasonable relocation fund (the first months rent and deposit would be great).
I will post up a running update every know and then.
Wish me luck.

This post is dedicated to those looking for work in these hard times. There is hope - you just need to believe in yourself and keep going - explore every possibility you have around you.


Now, Those that read a few forums will know that I have been going over a week now. Update is below.

Am posting this in a second community just to get some feedback really, and comments from people who have tried the same thing.


Day 0 - $42 deposited
Day 1 - $65
Day 2 - $110
Day 3 - $117
Day 4 - $160
Day 5 - $175
Day 6 - $196
Day 7 - $220
Day 8 - $201
Day 9 - $225
Day 10 - $223
Day 11 - $246

Just called time on day twelve.


Totally card dead this session. Am happy because it tested me mentally. At no point was I tempted to play more hands / play looser.

Day 0 - $42 deposited
Day 1 - $65
Day 2 - $110
Day 3 - $117
Day 4 - $160
Day 5 - $175
Day 6 - $196
Day 7 - $220
Day 8 - $201
Day 9 - $225
Day 10 - $223
Day 11 - $246
Day 12 - $256

More traits I see in other players that I used to to. Berating the player that is incapable of folding a flush draw and catches - or making their inside straight draw calling a huge bet to do so. They then proceed to loosen up and semi tilt. These are easy fodder for me when I hit a hand.

And I must admit it. I throw in a few witty retorts to fuel their anger. Never in a rude way but none the less they can get really wound up.

I know it might be frowned upon, but its never offensive - and they always have the option to turn chat off.

I have been spending more focus on enjoying the game and making the right decisions. As Doyle says: "Poker isnt about making money, its about making the right decisions"

Amen to that.

Stuventus, We have a subforum for all operation threads and blogs. I moved yours here accordingly. Also, if you want this blog cleaned up (meaning I delete me and booG's off-base comments), just let me know.

Either way, good luck and welcome to FTR. You seem to be well above most new members we get here, and I'll be checking in on the blog at times to see how it's going. Do yourself a favor though, and make sure you are setting a realistic goal, one that you intend to see out. Poker can be a great game, but without patience and dedication you will fall among the others that have failed.

Sounds like an Operation build a roll to me!
Good luck

There is no long term target at the moment. I have had specific targets in the past like $1000 total or $20 per day. And whenever I make a step backwards I will do something stupid to try and turn it around. Like playing 25/50c or heads up STT.

I just aim to play solid poker and to try and have my first months rent and deposit paid for by somebody else (ie low stakes players)

Decided to play some very small buy in MTTs just to break up the cash games. (played a cash game on the side as well).

$1 buy in 45 players finished 3rd for $7.20

$2 buy in 183 players finished 24th for $4.20

Not bad for a self admitted "poor" tourney player. Although I certainly think its the patience aspect - rather than playing the cards.

I know I said I was going to play only cash. but just felt like something different. Played only solid hands and it worked well to remind me on the importance of patience. One wrong move in a tourney and its game over - even if you played every other hand spot on.

Must admit I started to wane after three hours. But I would never stay in a cash game that long.

Anyway heres the score.

Day 0 - $42 deposited
Day 1 - $65
Day 2 - $110
Day 3 - $117
Day 4 - $160
Day 5 - $175
Day 6 - $196
Day 7 - $220
Day 8 - $201
Day 9 - $225
Day 10 - $223
Day 11 - $246
Day 12 - $256
Day 13 - $283

Heres the poker update. Was off work today and played a lot. As it happens the decent growth in BR was only a result of evening play. Achieved nothing during the day as I couldnt catch a cold. Evening it evened out and was making sets and all sorts.

One hand I raised pre flop with AQs got 4 callers. As it happened being first to act on the flop was a blessing.

Flop came down KJT two hearts. I just bet out hard for about $1.20 got one caller and the next raised to $5 then the last player folded. I thought he was either flushing or had two pair - either way I had the nuts so just needed to avoid a few certain cards to take the pot.

I pushed all in and he called (other player that called $1.20 folded)

He had AK.

I took the pot.

Day 0 - $42 deposited
Day 1 - $65
Day 2 - $110
Day 3 - $117
Day 4 - $160
Day 5 - $175
Day 6 - $196
Day 7 - $220
Day 8 - $201
Day 9 - $225
Day 10 - $223
Day 11 - $246
Day 12 - $256
Day 13 - $283
Day 14 - $319

Quick update. A great day at the tables. And an amazing hand at the end but I dont have the patience to post it right now. Well not really amazing - just a donk 4 betting me with high card only when I had the second nuts.

And not it was not T5 suited lol.

Day 0 - $42 deposited
Day 1 - $65
Day 2 - $110
Day 3 - $117
Day 4 - $160
Day 5 - $175
Day 6 - $196
Day 7 - $220
Day 8 - $201
Day 9 - $225
Day 10 - $223
Day 11 - $246
Day 12 - $256
Day 13 - $283
Day 14 - $319
Day 15 - $376

A few days away from the tables possibly now. Back late weekend.

Day 0 - $42 deposited
Day 1 - $65
Day 2 - $110
Day 3 - $117
Day 4 - $160
Day 5 - $175
Day 6 - $196
Day 7 - $220
Day 8 - $201
Day 9 - $225
Day 10 - $223
Day 11 - $246
Day 12 - $256
Day 13 - $283
Day 14 - $319
Day 15 - $376
Day 16 - $391