Online HS Cash; $1m Challenge. By Luke Johnson.
Hello,
I'm setting myself the challenge to make $1m playing online Mid-HS cash, blogging here along the way.
My name is Luke Johnson. I'm 29, from the UK, and have played mid-high stakes cash online for the past few years. I am an Elite Coach at RunItOnce. And I am a husband and a father.
What counts towards the $1m?
• Winning's at the tables
• Rakeback
• Bonuses
• Site refunds
... if I sell action, I will account according to what I had of myself
... essentially, the challenge will track my raw profit from playing poker. Any earning's from my other sources of income will not be included.
Why am I making this challenge?
• My own motivation -- I've always loved having big projects to work on and slowly chip away at
• $$$$
• To show that Poker is still crushable. Hopefully this can inspire a player or two out there. Questions are welcomed.
• To hopefully have an awesome blog of this journey along the way
Timeframe:
There is no deadline to this challenge. Finishing by the close of 2028 would be good going from my POV. I won't be racing, but instead trying to do things as correctly as possible. Truthfully, my BRM is a lot nittier than it has ever been; my risk tolerance just isn't what it used to be 😊. So this really will be a slow and steady wins the race-type journey.
Where will I play to achieve this?
As of July 2024 and going into this challenge, I am mainly playing on WPN, Coinpoker and GG from NL500-5k. I expect to be playing here for the foreseeable. If there are any big changes, I will update accordingly.
How does this work?
I will officially start this challenge from 1st August 2024. I'll post progress reports every week detailing how my Pokering has been going, both on and off the tables, including where my mind is at, HH's, graphs & my profits/losses. Expect monthly wrap-ups.
What can you expect from this blog?
Mostly, an honest report of what's going on in my journey, including the ups and the downs, playing and coaching this game for a living, whilst ever striving to improve at being a great husband and father along the way. My foremost goal is to stick this journey out; I know I have what it takes to make it a success, thus consistency must become my most primary focus.
... in case you are interested, see below for my older blogs
• [COLOR="Blue"][2016 NLz200 Challenge][/C...
• [COLOR="Blue"][ZOOOOOM][/COLOR]
• [COLOR="blue"][ZOOOOOM v2][/COLOR]
• [COLOR="blue"][ZOOOOOM v3][/COLOR]
Before the challenge begins... I am planning to make a July wrap-up post, a prequel of sorts on what you can expect, as I was already documenting it at the end of my most latest blog [COLOR="blue"][HERE][/COLOR], which as of this post I am migrating over to this thread. Any profits/losses will not be included as part of this $1m challenge.
I hope that covers just about everything. Thank you very much for reading.
Gooooood luck & take care.
Luke
In!
GLGL
You definitely have what it takes to succeed in this challenge, Luke!
I'm excited to follow your journey and will be cheering you on from the front row.
Have fun, Mr. Skywalker!
P.S. You’ve already inspired me! ��
Best of luck,
Mike
in!
glgl
gl
in!!! goodluck
In and goood luck!!!!!
lfg. gl.
I was just watching your video (How i poker in 2024)
Gl
Interested in seeing how the CoinPoker games are
This should be good...
Subbed, looking forward to this one.
Noticed on run it once you were playing higher as well, any plans to move back up if things are going well? And why no stars?
In for this like the previous ones. gl gl
Wow gl gl bro !!
Gl Clanty
Wow! Congratulations on becoming a father and best of luck at the tables.
Lets play hu at 40k and you'll be able to knock it out in a week
Thought of 2 questions.
- Does coaching count towards the profit?
- Is there ever a chance you would stream some sessions on twitch like you used to?
You definitely have what it takes to succeed in this challenge, Luke!
I'm excited to follow your journey and will be cheering you on from the front row.
Have fun, Mr. Skywalker!
P.S. You’ve already inspired me! ��
Best of luck,
Mike
Subbed, looking forward to this one.
Noticed on run it once you were playing higher as well, any plans to move back up if things are going well? And why no stars?
Thank you very much everyone 😀♥♥
Thought of 2 questions.
- Does coaching count towards the profit?
- Is there ever a chance you would stream some sessions on twitch like you used to?
- No, only money made from playing at the tables
- Perhaps, yes. But no plans as of right now.
Subbed, looking forward to this one.
Noticed on run it once you were playing higher as well, any plans to move back up if things are going well? And why no stars?
Yes, hopefully. I have a lot of anxiety playing 5k atm :S
Will stick to our HU battles a little lower for the time being. Enjoying them 😀. Rain check for the $1m final stretch? 
July 2024 Recap:
Finishing early as I'm headed out the country last minute for a funeral. I will be away from Reyaan and Maanya (my son and wife) for 4 days, by far the longest time I've been away from them.
Overall I'm pretty happy with how July went. I (mostly) played well, played a good amount -- by my standards -- and got lots of other stuff done outside of Poker.
As is always the way, my closeout to the month wasn't good. Frankly I'm disappointed with how I managed my grind today; too many tables and not enough space to manage my HU PLO. I'm still learning and the game still bends my mind a bit. From now on, I'll try to only include it when NLH is dry. Learning will be slower this way, but I'm not in any rush.
... it's not about how hard you can punch, it's about how hard you can get punched and still move forward... time for me to move forward
Bullet point thoughts...:
• Flowstate was good.
• Focus was on and off. I often lose focus when I go from 5-tabling to 2-tabling as tables break.
• Table management was good. Outside of HU PLO...
• Anxiety is still bad at 5k. I played a $15k pot today and I swear I could feel my heart in my mouth and my stomach at the same time.
• Studying was a little inconsistent. Would like this to pick back up a bit.
• Really enjoying HU matches. Would like to find more.
• Mind disrupted when dropping stacks. Attachment to results still present.
Goals for 1st-11th August:
• Strong flowstate; strong focus
• Consistent studying
• No 5knl; continue to keep head down at 3k-
• 24 hours
---
Hands:
1. Actually, it was $16k
PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $25/$50 ($25 ante) - 2 players
Replay this hand on Pokeit
SB (Hero): $8,048.51 (161 bb)
BB: $15,577.67 (312 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($125) Hero is SB with 8♠ 7♠
Hero raises to $150, BB 3-bets to $600, Hero calls $450
Flop: ($1,250) 8♦ T♣ 7♣ (2 players)
BB bets $372.60, Hero calls $372.60
Turn: ($1,995.20) 2♦ (2 players)
BB bets $1,490.40, Hero raises to $7,050.91 (all-in), BB calls $5,560.51
River: ($16,097.02) 3♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: $16,097.02 (Rake: $8)
Showdown:
SB (Hero) shows 8♠ 7♠ (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 22%, Flop: 73%, Turn: 82%, River: 100%)
BB shows A♠ A♥ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 78%, Flop: 27%, Turn: 18%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) wins $16,089.02
2. Haven't looked at this but I think it's reasonable from both(?). Poker is a crazy game.
Winning Poker, Hold'em No Limit - $15/$30 - 6 players
Replay this hand on Pokeit
UTG: $3,373.35 (112 bb)
MP: $1,200.00 (40 bb)
CO: $4,572.56 (152 bb)
BU: $3,175.50 (106 bb)
SB: $3,000.00 (100 bb)
BB (Hero): $7,515.53 (251 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($45) Hero is BB with Q♦ J♥
2 players fold, CO raises to $63, 2 players fold, Hero calls $33
Flop: ($141) J♠ 3♦ 9♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $106.08, Hero calls $106.08
Turn: ($353.16) 6♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $437.70, Hero calls $437.70
River: ($1,228.56) K♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3,965.78 (all-in), Hero calls $3,965.78
Total pot: $9,160.12 (Rake: $3)
Showdown:
CO shows A♥ 5♠ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 56%, Flop: 17%, Turn: 7%, River: 0%)
BB (Hero) shows Q♦ J♥ (a pair of Jacks)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 44%, Flop: 83%, Turn: 93%, River: 100%)
BB (Hero) wins $9,157.12
3. Taking his soul, I think
Winning Poker, Hold'em No Limit - $5/$10 - 2 players
Replay this hand on Pokeit
SB: $1,005.00 (101 bb)
BB (Hero): $2,035.50 (204 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($15) Hero is BB with 6♦ K♥
SB raises to $22, Hero calls $12
Flop: ($44) 2♦ J♥ 5♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets $14.52, Hero raises to $51.04, SB calls $36.52
Turn: ($146.08) K♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $194.28, SB calls $194.28
River: ($534.64) 5♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $144.35, SB calls $144.35
Total pot: $823.34 (Rake: $1.25)
Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows 6♦ K♥ (two pair, Kings and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 56%, Flop: 13%, Turn: 89%, River: 100%)
SB shows 9♣ J♦ (two pair, Jacks and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 44%, Flop: 87%, Turn: 11%, River: 0%)
BB (Hero) wins $822.09
4. Gah...
PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $25/$50 ($25 ante) - 2 players
Replay this hand on Pokeit
SB (Hero): $5,262.85 (105 bb)
BB: $5,242.00 (105 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($125) Hero is SB with J♣ A♦
Hero raises to $150, BB 3-bets to $600, Hero calls $450
Flop: ($1,250) T♦ 2♦ 5♦ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($1,250) J♥ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $435.34, BB raises to $1,420.68, Hero calls $985.34
River: ($4,091.36) 5♣ (2 players)
BB bets $3,196.32 (all-in), Hero calls $3,196.32
Total pot: $10,484 (Rake: $8)
Showdown:
BB shows K♦ K♠ (two pair, Kings and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 71%, Flop: 56%, Turn: 73%, River: 100%)
SB (Hero) shows J♣ A♦ (two pair, Jacks and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 29%, Flop: 44%, Turn: 27%, River: 0%)
BB wins $10,476
5. Royal is good, sir
PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $25/$50 ($25 ante) - 2 players
Replay this hand on Pokeit
SB (Hero): $5,163.00 (103 bb)
BB: $10,790.60 (216 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($125) Hero is SB with Q♠ K♥
Hero raises to $150, BB 3-bets to $600, Hero calls $450
Flop: ($1,250) 7♣ T♦ K♦ (2 players)
BB bets $931.50, Hero raises to $4,538 (all-in), BB calls $3,606.50
Turn: ($10,326) J♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($10,326) A♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: $10,326 (Rake: $8)
Showdown:
SB (Hero) shows Q♠ K♥ (a straight, Ten to Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 25%, Flop: 45%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)
BB shows A♦ Q♦ (a Royal Flush)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 75%, Flop: 55%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)
BB wins $10,318
BB's:
$:
By Stake:
By Session:
Data:
As mentioned I'll be away for a few days. I'm excited for this challenge come August. First update will be on the 11th 😀. Will consider that week 1.
Thank you for reading.
Gooooood luck!
Luke
I'd like to recommend Yoga Nidra to you Luke.
It's great for resetting the nervous system and alleviating any anxious proclivities you might have shotting 5k. Also increases focus and can be done w/ headphones and no movement required (~10-20m)...I'd propose anyone should try
Subbed! Best of luck
GL to you. Dear god does that redline look like that every month? Drooling over here
Hello Luke, RIT here from RIO. Good luck on your journey! I think 3 years is very reasonable time frame for a million when you break down the hands per hour and BB/100 assuming avg stake is around 2kNL. In your RIO video you mentioned playing about 3hrs a day, so its going to be a long journey.
I have a question about the recent graph in BBs you posted. Around the 10k-12k hand mark there is roughly a 15 buy-in downswing, then it sky rockets back up 15 buy-ins or so over the next 500 hands, followed by another 15 buy-in downer over the next 500 or so hands. What is going on here? Is this like PLO variance? HU variance? Hopefully not tilt. I wouldn't say it is tilt because your EV line disconnects from your green line on the last downswing. Really insane swings!
I'm still learning and the game still bends my mind a bit.
...
, it's about how hard you can get punched and still move forward... time for me to move forward
I was reading your previous blogs and I don't remember you talking about getting coached while climbing the stakes.
Was it purely studying on your own?
