Operation: Grind up

Well I'd like to apologize in advance for the possible lengthiness of the initial post. I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Bryan and I'm 23 years old. I learned to play poker years ago, but never seriously and never really considered how intricate and complex the game really is. As well, I never really considered it to be a possible income. Meanwhile my brother was playinig for a decent living (dsmrolla06) yet I never took much interest in it, being more interested in various adventures I'd be off on. Recently I played a game with him and started getting really into the game. He told me about the site and I started doing my research of the game and instantly fell in love. I have also started learning the rest of the games of HORSE finding each one enjoyable in their own right. I think that by mastering other games in time that the skills will spill into hold'em as well.

Now I'll admit that I'm by far a beginner to the game. The extent of my experience is various low buy-in home games, a go at the casino with my brother, play money sn'gs, and free roll tournaments at a local bar. Unfortunately the money I've made had to go to support living expenses since I'm out of work. However that will soon change and I look forward to depositing my first $150 on poker stars and getting my feet wet.

I have set several goals for myself for the year with the ultimate goal of a br sufficient for 50NL. I have decided that my bankroll management will be quite conservative compared to what I've read, but this is to ensure that I don't need to make another deposit and keep afloat. I also don't plan on withdrawing from my br until I can win at 400nl and consider just playing full time.

Phase 1: $150
5NL
$2 Sn'G
$1 MTT

Phase 2: $350
10NL
$4Sn'G
$2 MTT

Phase 3: $1000
25NL
$11 Sn'G
$ MTT

Phase 4: $2250
50NL
$25 Sn'G
$12.50 MTT

1st

Played in an MTT at the local bar this past Saturday and placed 2nd, which I'm pretty proud of. I was chip leader for most of the final table after tripling up on some good shoving spots, but after a number of bad beats by hands like 29o and 35o I had an M of 4, shoved my A6s against my LAGGY opponent who turned over j4 to hit the 4 on the river. Ah well that's poker.

The run games every Wednesday and Saturday but unfortunately due to work and various other things going on in my life I haven't been able to attend or play much poker lately. But I have been reading up on articles and thinking more in depth about my game which seemed to really help Saturday. I was getting money in good spots and manipulate my opponents tendencies. I've learned a lot from the short time really thinking about my game. I got my girlfriend into wanting to play too which I foresee good things with her.

Well turns out I'm becoming more of a cave recluse lately with very little access to the interet, which unfortunately means I can't get on here as much as I would like to read up on posts and gain insight to my game.

Recently I bought Psychology of Poker and found some very interesting points in it that should be able to improve my game. I'm thinking that after I get my next paycheck I'll see about another book. In light of not being able to get on the internet much that'll likely be about all the poker education I can get for awhile, but definitely worthwhile. I have a feeling that due to the circumstances that this year will mostly be reading and improving more of my game for next year...unless circumstances provide for me to play more and I can get a new computer and be able to deposit money online.

As far as live MTTs go, I have only played in two since my last post. One I wasn't planning on playing in since I was already drunk and somehow made to one off the final table and mucked the winning hand all-in. Oh well, that'll teach me to play inebriated. The other one I have a question about the hand that knocked me out a few off the final table:
I'm only going to put the stack sizes of those that didn't fold pre-flop.
Blinds: 2000/4000

CO: 18,750. He's been playing pretty passively in the last few orbits after taking a bad beat and losing a large percentage of his chips. Normally playing tight aggressive. We're only a few until the final table so I think he's until then to re-focus.
BTN (hero): 32,800 KcKd
SB: 14,300. Played very tight passive the whole game, seems to be getting tipsy and loosening up his range a lot.
BB: 34,500. Very aggressive but also very cocky. He'll show his bluffs, which he does frequently but also has shown down some strong hands. Generally raises pre-flop when in hand. As well plays draws very aggressively.

UTG-MP fold.
CO limps
BTN: Raise to 15000
SB folds.
BB re-raises to 22,000
CO folds
BTN calls.

Flop: 2s, 7h, Ks.

BB: checks
BTN: bets all-in
BB: delays thinking for awhile then calls, shows over AhAd

Turn: Ac
River: Js
I think with as small as our stacks were compared to the pot I was justified in shoving. What do you think?