Progression

[Cougar]

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.