Progression

pro⋅gres⋅sion [pruh-gresh-uhn] –noun
1. the act of progressing; forward or onward movement.
2. a passing successively from one member of a series to the next; succession; sequence.

Mission
To become the best poker player that I am capable of being through a combination of focused study, play and self-examination utilizing a disciplined Bankroll Management plan.

Background
I played poker extensively in college, then only played occasionally in home games over the years mostly due to lack of games. In October, 2008 I started playing online and decided to really focus on one of my life's dreams. Joined FTR in November, 2008 and the advice here has been unbelievable and I owe much of my success to this site and the dedicated players who so generously contribute.

Performance
* Never deposited, grinded a roll through SNG/MTT (.10->1.20->2.20) and then began focusing on cash.
* Moved up through 2NL->5NL->10NL->25NL->50NL (All Full Ring)
* Moved back down to 25NL (Full Ring) following a failed shot at 50NL (Full Ring)
* Beat 25NL (Full Ring) again, took second shot at 50NL (Full Ring) and succeeded
* Failed first shot at 100NL (Full Ring)
* Demonstrated winning capability @ 25NL (6-Max) over 20k+ sample
* Current Focus: MTT ($4 - $11) and 50NL (6-Max)

Stats To-Date
SNG/MTT (<$2 mostly): +$824, +102% over 1003 Events
2NL (Full Ring): +$100 over 17,400 Hands (+14.5 ptbb/100)
5NL (Full Ring): +$203 over 24,100 Hands (+8.4 ptbb/100)
10NL (Full Ring): +$452 over 22,612 Hands (+10.0 ptbb/100)
25NL (#1, Full Ring): +$752 over 30,595 Hands (+4.9 ptbb/100)
50NL (#1, Full Ring): -$438 over 5,031 Hands (-8.7ptbb/100)
25NL (#2, Full Ring): +$430 over 55,295 Hands (+1.6 ptbb/100)
50NL (#2, Full Ring): +$1,502 over 35,596 Hands (+4.2 ptbb/100)
100NL (Full Ring): -$995 over 15,697 Hands (-3.2 ptbb/100)
25NL (6-Max): +$234 over 23,353 Hands (+2.0 ptbb/100)
50NL (6-max): ???
SNG/MTT ($4 to $11): +$385, +60% over 133 Events

gl sir

I like the Operation name

GL

good luck Cougar!

Thanks for the kind words!!

Going to post my October performance for the record. Perhaps this should be titled "Regression", words cannot explain the feelings behind my first 10+ BI downswing (17 to be precise) of my short career, what a game!

I religiously review all my hand histories >25BB win/loss and measure my All-In variance (custom calculation, PT doesn't do it right). As I review my downswing I see alot of coolers where I was >70% on either the flop and turn but not too many bad beats actually where I was All-In. I suddenly see alot more hands where I was a bit unsure of how to proceed. Wondering in my head how much of it just a rush of tough situations (variance) or better players putting me in tougher spots (probably both).

I started posting some of these hands in BC but they haven't gotten much response yet. Will post more as time progresses, didn't want to inundate the board . If anyone might be willing to help out with those, would really appreciate that!

Usually I analyze my HH and can easily criticize my play. What is unusual recently is a large # of hands recently that I find myself struggling to analyze afterwards, which is unusual for me. I am chalking this up to a combination of playing better players and some fatigue but this is very concerning to me and establishes the fact that I am NOT ready to play at the higher levels yet.

Definitely a bit tilty now, starting to see monsters under the bed mostly after losing so many big hands, going to take a little break to clear my head and try to get positive and upbeat again.

Rationally, I tell myself to see the "big picture" and remember that I ground up a $2k+ roll without depositing and I am AT LEAST as good today as I was 2 weeks ago. Irrational thoughts are beginning to dominate my mind now, so it's definitely time to decompress.

+$20 Overall
-$262 Ring
-$25 MTT
+$306 Rakeback / Bonus

1.) First 10k hands were Succesful Completion of 25NL (+4.9ptbb over 30k hands overall)
<Moved up to 50NL>
2.) Next 5k hands were getting crushed at 50 NL (down 9 Buy-Ins, -8.7ptbb/100)
<Returned to 25NL>
3.) Nightmare continues at 25NL (down 8 more Buy-Ins over 3k hands)

Nov-09 Performance Update



Hands 1 – 5k: Tail-end of my first 20+ Buy-In drop (busted my cherry), -23 BI to be exact
Hands 5k-11k: Finally pulled out of the nose dive, a Long-awaited Heater!
Hands 11k – 13k: Bleh, some good play + some bad play + couple coolers (TP w/back door flush < back door Nut Flush 125BB deep) and couple 70/30 AI losers on PF/Flop

Good news, cleared total of $545 of the FTP $600 bonus over last 3 months, so some nice bankroll padding and almost done (wow, what a grind, freedom!).

So, after almost 50k hands at 25NL (along with short failed 50NL attempt), thinking I may be here for a while. I crush the bad players at this level and get crushed by the really good players (for this level at least).

While results-oriented performance has not been improving, I feel like my Game is definitely improving. Which leads me to believe that 25NL #1 (+30BI) may have very well just been a heater rather than actual good play.

I continue to identify more leaks (which is good) but have many leaks to patch and the good players really know how to take advantage of my issues. This first became readily apparent at 50NL but I can now see it at 25NL also. While I find that with time & analysis, I can usually come up with the right answers still really having trouble with reacting PROPERLY to the TOUGH hands properly in the short amount of time we are allotted (I only play 2-4 tables at a time).

Thank goodness for the awful players donating funds to subsidize my learning process!

Plan for December: Continue studying (as always), complete the FTP Bonus and then go back to a combination of SNG(45+ppl)/MTT and 25NL, may even dabble a bit at 10NL 6-max. I have been away from SNG/MTT for several months now to improve the post-flop game. It will be interesting to see how/whether my win-rate will do in those games with a much improved deep stack ability, especially in SNG/MTT where the average post-flop game is pretty horrid (at least at the micros).

Mid-Month Update due to Major Heater, garphs at end of month

* Cleared $600 FTP Bonus
* 25NL Heater (+14 BI in 4 days)
* Stars $2.20 6-Max MTT Donkament
2nd Place out of 2276 Entrants: +$521

Wow, riding the variance roller coaster, never ceases to amaze me how you can run SO bad and then run SO good.

Got Knocked out HU at Final Table in the 6-max tournament with J4o < 24o on 244Ax board, so sick. We both checked down PF and flop, I led out turn got re-raised. Thought there was NO WAY this guy is folding an Ace on this board so I felted it. Figured I was getting value from so much of villain's range (Ax, 43-4T) and only losing to 4Q+, 42 and 22.

Sage words of advice for aspiring MTT players: Learn and play cash games, they will enable improvement in your post-flop play which is SUCH an advantage in MTT micro-stakes!

Hey man, I just noticed this. I like the OP title, and I feel you on first shot missed, and big downswing, my first also happened at 50nl in October. Ended up losing 22 BIs overall at 50nl and 25nl combined. It's pretty brutal, but humbling as well. Makes you take a step back and reevaluate your game and wtf you're doing wrong.

Looks like things are starting to get back on track though! Good work on that obviously. Keep it up and you'll be back and kickin in 50nl's door soon enough!

December 2009 Performance Update
25NL: +$223
SNG/MTT: +$425 (55 events)
Rakeback: +$121
Total December: +$769

Great month overall but a mediocre end to the month following the early month heaterage.

January 2010 Performance Update

Total Month: +$303
25NL: +$101
Rakeback Freeroll: +$135
RB/Bonus: +$67

Positive month, nice finish in the RB Freeroll (21st out of 1500 players) helps!

Have managed to pull out +21 of the -23 Buy-In low from mid-November. Lower volume due to RL stuff, keep grinding 25NL until we hit our target (+12 BI from here).

February 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$132
25NL: +$0
RB/Bonus: +$130
Donkaments: +$2

February was bleh (yes, that is a technical term). Usual suspects: Coolers, Bad Beats with some bad play mixed in. 13k hands of "flat" poker but think it was almost -4 Buy-Ins of All-In EV.

Only saving grace was a nice heater at the end of the month to get back to even for the month.

Thank you Poker Stars for the Bonus!

March 2010 Mid-Month Update

Alert, Major Heaterage! +11 Buy-Ins over 5.8k hands.

This reaches the 25NL Target and so I once again graduate to 50NL for another 30 Buy-In Target with -10 Buy-In stop/loss.

It really feels good to have gone through a 23 Buy-In downswing and managed to recover, even though it took 4 months to do it.

It's a funny game, I spent all of February grinding, grinding and grinding for flat to down. Then all of the sudden you go up +11 Buy-Ins in a matter of a week or two.

I'm sure there are some improvements in your game but it's not like you are that much better or worse of a player from one month to another.

So a brief moment of triumph in an otherwise brutally challenging game, need to take time to stop, look around and enjoy those rare moments when it all seems to come together.

Next Goal: +30 Buy-In Target @ 50NL (Career stats updated on first page)
(-10 Buy-In Stop-Loss back to 25NL)

March 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$1,030
25NL / 50NL: +$820
RB/Bonus: +$215
Donkaments: -$5

Wow, first $1k+ month, what a rush!

So it's great to be playing at 50NL and not flaming out like my first go-around.

Just trying to play good ABC poker, establish ranges, act on those ranges (still struggle with this) and identify spots to make those aggressive plays and gut-wrenching lay-downs in response to obvious villain flaws.

Also nice to see the Bonuses falling more quickly at the higher level.

Will continue on the quest towards winning 30 BI at 50NL before taking the next step (100NL).

wow nice month, looks like you're progressing

April 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$1,057
50NL: +$678
RB/Bonus: +371
Donkaments: -$21
Pokerstars VIP Gold Freeroll: +$29

Second $1k+ month in a row, very psyched! Enjoyed some nice postive variance this month which put some wind in the sails.

Getting close to my 30 Buy-In target at 50NL, hope to move up soon to 100NL barring an unfortunate down-swing! Plan is to increase the hurdle rate at 100NL to 40 Buy-Ins with a 10 Buy-In Stop-Loss.

Almost done clearing the Pokerstars bonus, will likely see that booster slow down after that is cleared later this month.

Monthly Garph (50NL)

Great news, crossed the +30 Buy-In Target and am moving up to 100NL (-10 Buy-In Stop-Loss).

Stats for 50NL Try #2: +$1,502 over 35,596 Hands (+4.2 ptbb/100)

Will be increasing the 100NL target to +40 Buy-Ins to reflect the anticipated challenge of the higher skill levels and better absorb a downswing.

As an aside from my perspective, I would second comments from other FTR posters noticing a change in table dynamics with a majority of the bad (i.e. profitable) players gravitating toward the 20bb-50bb tables.

Looking forward to 100NL, here we go, hope we don't flame out....

Damn, you killed $50NL the 2nd time. Good luck at $100NL. You playing FR or 6m?

CBAT, thanks for the kind words!

I have been focused on Full Ring only, may take a shot at 6-max (lower levels) sometime in the future.

Nice work at 50NL!!!

You shouldn't see too much of a difference at all at 100NL FR imo. Just don't convince yourself that all the regs are playing back at you all the time and get into stupid cock waving wars and you should be fine. I can't comment on the 20-50bb tables as I only play the 40-100bb tables (100NL FR on stars fwiw) and there always seems to be a good selection.

I'm sil693 on stars, if we meet please fold to my 3bets. GL.

May 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$547
50NL / 100NL: +$452
RB/Bonus: +197
Donkaments: -$102

June was an absolutely insane "Real-Life" month so just getting to posting May now.

Up-months are always good months, huge accomplishment moving up to 100NL as previously noted.

100 NL is off to a mixed start, up & down over 10k hands but basically break-even.

Donkaments absolutely sucked (2/17 ITM).

June will obviously be incredibly low volume.

Cougar? Please tell me you're a hot milf that loves poker! Pics?

Do love poker but not a milf, sorry to disappoint, the Cougar was my High School mascot.

June 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$0
100NL: -$14
RB/Bonus: +19
Donkaments: -$5

June was an absolutely insane "Real-Life" month, very low volume.

July 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: -$745
100NL: -$788
RB/Bonus: +48
Donkaments: -$5

Wow, tough month! Low volume again due to Real-Life, although better than June.

Going down 8 Buy-Ins at 100NL in one month definitely hurts but it's only over 4k hands so sample size is too small to make any firm conclusions.

Overall, now down a bit over 6 Buy-Ins at 100NL over 14k hands. Certainly frustrating to run bad, lost $248 with KK (21 times dealt, 3 losses KK < AA for 100+ BB each). At least I have made it to 14k hands and not flamed out 10 Buy-Ins in 5k hands like when I moved up from 25NL to 50NL the first time.

Did make a couple bad plays that were costly and clearly ran behind EV as well.

100NL is definitely tougher than previous levels, players are clearly better and the fish don't last as long.

Also doesn't help that I haven't really studied since beginning of May. While I still review all of my 25BB+ hands post-session, have to believe that my game has suffered from reduced playing time and lack of study. This has also hurt my confidence level.

Following my Bankroll Management strategy, I will continue playing 100NL and drop back down to 50NL at 10 Buy-In stop-loss (-4 from here).

Donkaments were frustrating as well, volume was low (17 tournaments, placed in 2), finished 19th out of 3200 in $11 tournament but only $82.

The beauty of good Bankroll Management is that you can stink it up pretty good and still not go anywhere near broke.

Mid-month update and it's not a good one.

So first shot at 100NL comes to a close at 15k hands. Stats for this level and my latest MTT are updated on the cover post at the top.

First shot at 100NL was better than first shot at 50NL but certainly disappointing nonetheless. Think what was most disappointing was that I was actually up 2 Buy-Ins at the 10k mark and then just hit an absolutely horrid run going down 12 Buy-Ins in the last 5k hands. Didn't help to run -4 Buy-Ins below EV over that period but no excuses, my game is just not equipped for 100NL yet.

I have certainly sprung some leaks, many of which I thought were plugged but have returned. Not studying since May really hurt too I think.

I started out playing MTT and 45+ player SNG tourneys and took up cash to improve post-flop play. My volume has been light so I am going to use this opportunity to go back and start playing some more of these and see how that goes. It's a very frustrating slog playing MTT but we'll see how it goes.

I have solely played Full Ring to this point and always wanted to try 6-max once my game improved enough to play. Since I am going back down anyway, my plans is to play 6-max at 25NL to get used to the dynamics of that game and see how I like it (20 Buy-In Target).

So, Objectives going forward:
1.) $4 - $11 MTT and 45+ Player SNG (+$1,176 Target)
2.) 25NL 6-Max (20 Buy-In Target)
3.) Begin studying again (Cover all posts in FR since May, Begin covering 6-Max posts)

August 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: -$33
100NL (Full Ring) / 25NL (6-Max): -$234
RB/Bonus: +$83
Donkaments: +$118 (+94% ROI, 10/26 ITM)

Progress Toward Objectives:
1.) $4 - $11 MTT and 45+ Player SNG (+$1,176 Target)
Progress: +$412, $764 Remaining

2.) 25NL 6-Max (20 Buy-In Target)
Progress: +3 Buy-Ins, 17 Buy-Ins Remaining

3.) Begin studying again (Cover all posts in FR since May, Begin covering 6-Max posts)
Progress: FR Review complete, Covered 6-Max for Jan-2010 through early Feb-2010

Much better volume this month. First 1k hands was the end of the failed attempt at 100NL Full-Ring. Remainder of the month was 25 NL 6-Max, flat performance reflecting adjustments to new game format, different level (SO WEAK-TIGHT) and alot of variance since almost all the fishy tables are 20bb-50bb. Upswing at the end of the month and, while not included here, first 2 days of September have gone really well (up additional 4 Buy-Ins) so am optimistic about the future.

Really pleased progress with the studying aspect of the game and my level of thinking and results have started to really improve over the last week or so (might just be coincidence). Like any sport or exercise, it's amazing to me how quickly your skills erode when you are not constantly focusing, studying and playing.

The game stopped being fun for a period during the end of the 100NL run and it's nice to once again look forward to producing alot of volume and not getting so bent out of shape at losing hands when we are ahead 80% on the flop/turn (lol) and pot committed.

Also really pleased with the donkaments. While low in volume (those MTT are just SO LONG!), I went deep in a couple and really only got knocked out on coolers or bad beats.

Play, Study, Learn and Progress!!

im impressed cougar, keep up the discipline and work ethic!

September 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$237
25NL (6-Max): +$95
RB/Bonus: +$129
Donkaments: +$13 (+146% ROI, 1/2 ITM)

Good volume for me again this month, nice heater at the end!

So I've played 23k hands at 25NL 6-max at +2BB/100 which is a large enough sample for me to be confident in my capability. While I know that a grind to 20 Buy-Ins is doable, deciding to cut short at +9 Buy-Ins and move up to 50NL 6-Max. Have gotten used to the dynamics of the 6-max game and ready to take the next challenge. Play is so awful at this level, it's been very disappointing to me not to do better (still too many leaks).

Tournament volume was awful this month due to RL issues, primarily lack of extended 4+ hour sessions. Definitely want to get back into those.

Just read this through. Awesomness. I switched from SNGs to MTTs to CASH games in an effort to improve my postflop game as well. ATM I'm just trying to see how far I can take my cash game before switching it up again. Props tho for being able to maintain a clear head with the switching of games. Most people advise against it saying get good at one before going to another. The few MTTs I've played since moving tho, I must say the results are sooo much better than they used to be. I really like your approach, you have set goals for each part of your game and stick to it. GL dude, doing good already, keep it up.

Woot, 4th place in $4.40 1,200 player MTT for +$340!

October 2010 Performance Update
Total Month: +$213
50NL (6-Max): -$183
RB/Bonus: +$128
Donkaments: +$268 (+167% ROI, 7/32 ITM)

Decent volume month (8.6k hands) for me given RL responsibilities. Horrid run-bad from hands 4k through 6k.

50NL 6-Max is off to a relatively shaky start, over a relatively small sample. I enjoy how much more action the smaller table enables although have found myself table selecting more to the 50-BB tables alot given the higher % of fish there. This is not as good for learning however.

In 6-max, I have been working on increasing my 3-bet % (previously <5%) and lowering my fold to 3-bet % in the right places (previously >80%). Also trying to reduce my SB PFR (this has been very difficult for me, so used to stealing from MTT's). Starting to get more comfortable in raised pots that aren't strictly for value. Not just blindly raising mind you, but with a purpose/plan for how to react to 4-bets and potentially playing future streets, the forum articles have been incredibly helpful with thought process here. Whether they are right or not is another question but at least I am trying.

Studying has gone really well, made it through all the Short-Handed NL articles through mid-August and posted 2 hands that I wasn't sure of as well. Hope to catch up all the way to date this month, that would be a nice accomplishment!

The lol donkaments helped offset my losses in 6-max, game really continues to improve there although variance certainly causes much aggravation, especially given the length of the MTT tournaments. Continue at the <$11 level, another +$500 there and I'll start moving up to the $20 tourneys where available.

Finally, need to keep remembering that I play the game for FUN! It's been 1 year now since I started posting in this blog and feel that Progression really has been made. Even though sometimes I feel like I have donked off a bunch of dough, the bankroll has doubled over that time period so need to keep perspective.

The break in June followed by 100NL play-bad/run-bad in July really hurt and has taken many months to recover from. Good lessons to learn, even if you take a break, need to keep your mind in it some and when you come back start at the lower stakes to get back into practice.