Started with a $1/$2nl challenge, now we're here.
đŽWARNING!! IMA 2+2 VIRGIN!! FIRST DAY AT THIS!! FIRST THREAD!!
The Goal is Simple - $40k in One Year (starting Jan.1st 2013) playing only $1-$2NLHE, and $1-$3 NLHE cash games. Most of my play will be @HSIPoker (90% of play), @HollywoodPoker (5% of play) in southern Indiana, and other (5% of play). I will make the occasional trips Vegas, Chicago, etc. My buy-ins will be least $300 and no more than $800 in all daily sessions. If I lose a $800 bullet in the first hour of play, then I leave. Therefore a losing session will never exceed $800. I am committed to play an average of 30-35 hours a week. All statistics (running total $, $/hr., #of hrs. win/loss ratio, etc.) will be tracked through my Poker Journal App. The max buy-ins on both of these games @HSIPoker is $300 up to half the big stack at the table (i.e. big stack has $1400, then new player can buy-in for $700, or other players at table can add up to $700 to their chips). Also @HSIPoker players can straddle from any position, so $1-$2 plays like a $1-$3 or even $2-$5 w/deep stacks. Side note: Just yesterday a maniac player at $1-$2 nlhe straddled for $350!! I will also play no more than $5k worth of tournaments for the year ranging from $300-$1700 buy-ins. The tournaments will be recorded separately, and will be added or deducted from cash game total profits at the end of the year (ending Dec. 31st 2013). I will stay committed to this all year and I will not stray from my rules. I can guarantee I will post at least twice a week, and would even like to link a monthly video segments throughout the year. If you stay with me on this journey, I can promise you I will stay with you throughout the whole year. You can count on total transparency in my poker grind. I will share honestly the ups and downs, the brutal swings, and sprinkle in some spice and substance. All while trying to spare you the bad beat stories. I rather do naked snow angels in freezing temps than listening to someoneâs bad beat story. For future reference if you share one with me, I will act like I care, but I will really be thinking of when will this bad beat story end!! You can also follow - http://twitter.com/RayzRayl
Background â Starting playing seriously at age 25 during the Chris Moneymaker boom. Duh! It was around the same time I was teaching middle school math. I left teaching to create my own destiny. I started out playing low limits and have played as high as $25-$50 NLHE online. I am like most of you that have $ tied up on Full-Tilt. I am mostly a cash game player, and have played very few tournaments with very little success. I bricked the WSOP Main Event twice (I bought in once, and the other seat was a won through PokerStars). I seem to come up short on the big buy-in tourneys. My biggest score in tournaments are a couple of $20k cashes, and biggest score in cash games are a few $10k sessions. Sometimes poker was my full-time job, and sometimes it was supplement income. Right now it is my full-time job. I own a few rental properties, so that helps take the pressure off the grind. My girlfriend (15yr. relationship) and I have 2 girls (2yrs and 9yrs) that are joys of my life. My biggest challenge is explaining to them along with everyone else that I play poker for a living. I struggle with the fact that I am basically chasing money, and not doing anything productive. On the flip side, I do like the higher levels of thinking, the competition, and the pressure that poker offers me. Furthermore, I am not a gambler! I go straight to the poker room and straight out, nothing in between (no dice, no colors, no slots, no blackjack, etc.). Donât get me wrong though I will bet anything I have an edge on. Most of all, I am a man devoted to my faith. Side note: I donât see playing poker as sinful behavior, or gambling. I define gambling as anything where Iâm not a favorite to win long term. More about me . . . thrive on competition, unique, introvert, outside the box thinker, gym fitness member, a bit anti-social, well mannered, authored my memoir at age 30, every other weekend drinker, love my church, entrepreneurial thinker, tennis junkie, green thumb, and I think cats are skittish.
Reason for Goal â The challenge itself is the ultimate reason for this goal. I was recently in a conversation with a friend of mine, and he was stating that $30k/yr. was a realistic earning for a $1-2, $1-3 nlhe grinder. I discussed that an âAâ player putting in 40hrs/wk. can possibly make $40k/yr. He said, âno wayâ, and I said âIâm going to do it.â And thatâs how this goal started. Reason 2) Simple â the goal will keep me staying determined to play flawlessly, and it will keep me focused at the task at hand. This goal allows me to stay âhungryâ the whole year. I enjoy the pressure of striving to achieve something that is challenging. This challenge will keep me waking up each day and grinding. The satisfaction of achieving this goal will be half the fun, and the journey getting there is the other half. My subscribers, followers, and my post will keep accountable; and keeps me determined to play my âAâ game. Thank you in advance for subscribing/following! Reason 3) it keeps the pressure off me playing the bigger games. I always told people the âpoker lowsâ hurt more than the âhighsâ feel good. If that makes any sense to you! There were times when I was playing bigger limits where I would lose $5k in a sesh. Trust me those days sting! When I lost that amount of cheddar I would always think of what I could have done with that money; i.e. remodel the kitchen, go on shopping spree, buy a used car, get a golf membership at the country club, etc. When I win itâs like âcoolâ, but when I lose big it affects my whole psyche! With this goal I am managing my losses where worst case scenario is an $800 losing day. Reason 4) the $1-$2 NLHE is the most popular poker game around. There are more $1-$2 players than any other game. This will give a good idea of whatâs a realistic earning from a solid $1-$2nlhe player. I want to do this for all the grinders. There is not a truer grinder than a $1-$2 grinder. Big Ups to all the 1-2ers!
Cliff Notes â Can I? Or canât I? Make $40k in 2013 playing only $1-$2 and $1-$3 NLHE. Playing at least 30hrs/wk. and buying in for no more than $800 a session! I will also invest no more than $5k in tournaments in 2013 that will be factored into the $40k/year goal. I will post often with full transparency. I thrive on competition. My motto is look good, feel good, play good. I like puzzles. I have a degree in Mathematics. This is my very first post on 2 + 2 forum. 
All feedback welcome.
Thanks,
Rayz
lol starving yourself to lose weight… you just have to change and build better dietary habits
2 hands I wanna discuss.
Lm pull over annd park and twist one up and I’ll b back.
Poker sessions will come down to couple hands that make or break. Did poorly in one spot and other hand felt gd about the decision but wanted to see ur thoughts.
Hand one.
1/3. A limp utg and a couple more limps in lj hj. I make it $15 (1900) w AK suited hearts in the sb. An aggressive bb makes it $40 (1500). Then the tight but creative player in utg limp/4 to $140 ($800). Folds around to me. Do I 5! to $400? Shd I call? Fold?
All 3 crossed my mind. Said the best player in the world doesn’t need to b flipping for big $ in these games. I’m flipping or crushed. If I hit a King or Ace on the flop, I still wdnt love it.
Mini tank Folded.
*after 15min delay of stream, I see he has QQ. Trust me, that is the very bottom of his 4b range here.
It's embarrassing how many weak people are on here trying to give Ray bad advice. Crabs in a bucket mentality, I swear. Y'all fatties need to learn from people who are healthy how to do things right and shut the hell up when you don't know what you're talking about. You guys are seriously acting as though Ray is pushing himself so hard he's at risk of Rhabdomyolysis or something. He's not even close to pushing himself to a level that he could hurt himself.
Blackjack insurance.
Lets say you put everything down on one hand. Lets say its 500k. Lets say your blackjack insurance premiums would have been 50k and you pay in advance if you want it. Lets say you die if the dealer hits 21. But your wife and kids get to keep the 500k plus another 500k so your wife does not have to work 2 jobs to support the kids and a 750k house and all its additional costs such as ripping out a half completed pickle ball court. You know what, **** your wife and
Your blackjack analogy is bad. Firstly because you can just use the actual way blackjack insurance works if you wanted to, not your convoluted example. When Ray dies does insurance give his kids another father? No. Money will never replace a parent. You know what his kids are going to need no matter how much money they have? A parent or two. They're not going to be orphans because they don't have money, this isn't Oliver Twist. My father died when I was 13, I didn't receive any of his life insurance, they didn't pay. A pile of money could have never replaced my dad, I turned out fine. It's a bad bet for Ray, especially with him taking his health seriously at this point. Take the insurance premiums and buy gold with it. When Ray is alive in 40 years his family will be much happier he gambled that he would live and not die.
Life insurance is a bet that you will die young. I'd never bet on that.
lol starving yourself to lose weight⌠you just have to change and build better dietary habits
Starving himself will build better dietary habits. You think that won't affect his diet habits? You think he's going to eat worse because he fasts for long periods of time? What harm do you actually think he's causing himself by fasting?
Do you realize that fasting has amazing health benefits or are you really that ignorant to how the human body works? That would be an astounding level of ignorance...
Hand one.
1/3. A limp utg and a couple more limps in lj hj. I make it $15 (1900) w AK suited hearts in the sb. An aggressive bb makes it $40 (1500). Then the tight but creative player in utg limp/4 to $140 ($800). Folds around to me. Do I 5! to $400? Shd I call? Fold?
All 3 crossed my mind. Said the best player in the world doesnât need to b flipping for big $ in these games. Iâm flipping or crushed. If I hit a King or Ace on the flop, I still wdnt love it.
Mini tank Folded.
*after 15min delay
I play pretty nitty with AK generally and don't mind folding preflop here. Everyone is going to tell you to raise bigger preflop by the way, it's that obvious ($20-$25).
Hand 2.
Middle of sesh and little card dead. My big hands wd b getting beat to runner runner flush boards. Dudes just binking rivers left and right on me. I take it all this unluckiness off the chin, but also do laugh a bit to myself.
During those moments, I’m wondering if all this was designed by the Gods. Were these poker setups programmed specifically for me? Am I getting punished not being myself lately?
Been on the very low spectrum bipolarness lately. Short fuse where I’m not playing peoples’ games anymore. Maybe this goes back to 24hr ban where floorman Chris gave me the boot. The dude clearly sees me for 5mins at the desk prior to the 9a opening the room. He hates me, I don’t care for him. Tons of history there. He’s the type that will stick that chest out. U know the proud domineering arrorgant authoritarian type. Total dick guy. Well I'm not bowing down to that guy. He’s sees me, so check me in. I’m right here waiting u to acknowledge me. 2 feet away. I stand for 5 mins right at the desk! I walk off. Horrible customer service. I’m not playing dudes games. So grab some bottle waters. He sees me more when I put those waters on the first morning table soon to open. He sees me, it’s obvious, but intentionally ignores me. Long story short, didn’t check me in. No first table. Now wants me to wait 90monutes for the second table to open. We exchanged words. Called him a dick. Tell him he has always been to me. Said **** you as I pick my waters off the table. He says, Rayz and finger waves me over to him like I’m his kid. Said, “**** you, I don’t need to come to u. You’re not fingering waving me over.”
*Weened off the mental meds week ago and perhaps the fuse is very short. No chill anymore in 24. I’ll b the first to say, I clearly feel different, on edge, confused, moody. Maybe it’s the no mental meds, mayb no sleep, maybe no food. But none that **** really matters. I know when I’m right. He deserved all the ****s he received from me. No regrets.
Same dude who told a player he couldnĂ’t eat an olive from his Bloody Mary lmao in the poker room. Like I said, he wants everyone to bow down to him. I bow down to no one.
Was there a hand 2 to discuss?…
Hand 2âŚ
I hv AK clubs this time. If remember correctlyâŚanother AK suited in sb.
The dude the 4bet in hand 1 is straddling $6 utg. A raise to $15 in middle followed by a call from hj. I make it $55 (1600). Same aggressive player in bb makes $125. Folds to me. Seems super strong to cold 4 in bb, so flat.
Hu pot $280
Flop KhJs5c
Ch ch
Turn 4h
Ch call $150
Pot $580
River 8h
This shd clearly b a check, call. But, the Gods twisted my brain up and for some reason I bet $300. I felt in the moment it was pure value bet, and hoping to get heroed w QQ. That was the exact hand I put him on and that was the reason for the bet.
So I bet $300, he tank shoves. Another $1,100 to call. Call or fold? Full hizzies and flushes are there.
As played he has to hv Jacks full right?
Hand 2âŚ
I hv AK clubs this time. If remember correctlyâŚanother AK suited in sb.
The dude the 4bet in hand 1 is straddling $6 utg. A raise to $15 in middle followed by a call from hj. I make it $55 (1600). Same aggressive player in bb makes $125. Folds to me. Seems super strong to cold 4 in bb, so flat.
Hu pot $280
Flop KhJs5c
Ch ch
Turn 4h
Ch call $150
Pot $580
River 8h
This shd clearly b a check, call. But, the Gods twisted my brain up and for some reason I bet $300. I felt in the moment it was p
It was KsJh2h on flop 8s turn and 8h river.
Hand 2âŚ
I hv AK clubs this time. If remember correctlyâŚanother AK suited in sb.
The dude the 4bet in hand 1 is straddling $6 utg. A raise to $15 in middle followed by a call from hj. I make it $55 (1600). Same aggressive player in bb makes $125. Folds to me. Seems super strong to cold 4 in bb, so flat.
Hu pot $280
Flop KhJs5c
Ch ch
Turn 4h
Ch call $150
Pot $580
River 8h
This shd clearly b a check, call. But, the Gods twisted my brain up and for some reason I bet $300. I felt in the moment it was p
How?
The board is KJ548 according to you. Full house isn't possible.
Hand one.
1/3. A limp utg and a couple more limps in lj hj. I make it $15 (1900) w AK suited hearts in the sb. An aggressive bb makes it $40 (1500). Then the tight but creative player in utg limp/4 to $140 ($800). Folds around to me. Do I 5! to $400? Shd I call? Fold?
All 3 crossed my mind. Said the best player in the world doesnât need to b flipping for big $ in these games. Iâm flipping or crushed. If I hit a King or Ace on the flop, I still wdnt love it.
Mini tank Folded.
*after 15min delay
if you know his exact range then you don't need to ask what to do. you're the best player in the world, remember? seriously, why are you asking this?
Hand 2âŚ
I hv AK clubs this time. If remember correctlyâŚanother AK suited in sb.
The dude the 4bet in hand 1 is straddling $6 utg. A raise to $15 in middle followed by a call from hj. I make it $55 (1600). Same aggressive player in bb makes $125. Folds to me. Seems super strong to cold 4 in bb, so flat.
Hu pot $280
Flop KhJs5c
Ch ch
Turn 4h
Ch call $150
Pot $580
River 8h
This shd clearly b a check, call. But, the Gods twisted my brain up and for some reason I bet $300. I felt in the moment it was p
no full house is available so i'm guessing you reported the HH incorrectly. was the turn actually a 5h perhaps?
I think you played it perfectly, like a best player in the world always would
curious that you can't even remember the action or what the board was though
I do this all time w hh.
Always write wrong down.
@mls realtor is right. I was trying to remember the board. Knew flush was there and full houses. But didnât know exact. Misclicked and my board shd hv showed another 8 ball.
My bad. I was on DG parking lot breaking. Thatâs my excuse.
@mlsrealtor is correct.
It was KsJh2h on flop 8s turn and 8h river.
Total pwnage.
The only good thing about the hand was the 3bet pre-flop. After that, the rest of the hand is a pure mess.
As played, river seems like an easy check call spot depending on bet sizing.
did you give a shoutout to the milk bros?
Hand one.
1/3. A limp utg and a couple more limps in lj hj. I make it $15 (1900) w AK suited hearts in the sb. An aggressive bb makes it $40 (1500). Then the tight but creative player in utg limp/4 to $140 ($800). Folds around to me. Do I 5! to $400? Shd I call? Fold?
All 3 crossed my mind. Said the best player in the world doesnât need to b flipping for big $ in these games. Iâm flipping or crushed. If I hit a King or Ace on the flop, I still wdnt love it.
Mini tank Folded.
*after 15min delay
this is not at all what actually happened
at this point I don't think any hand that you post for review could be trusted
Did you stop taking your mental health meds to save money? Like how you have to use a gym at some hotel you aren't a guest at because you can't afford a gym membership?
I watched a lot of the stream. The game looks like it is great to be in, not a single shark in it. Your statement that your sessions hinge on one or two hands is because you haven't put in any time learning how to play well when you don't have premiums. Limping 99 isn't good. A lot of the other plays made aren't good. Leading your AK otr isn't good.
The sickest ridiculousnees by the Gods last night came when the poker room got pizza for all the players and I had to watch everyone eat.
Clearly, a ch.call. I like how I played the hand up to that point and wd hv gotten the max after @mlsrealtor bombs river bluff. Was almost there, but last second just nailed him down to QQ and went for value. Didnât want it to go ch/ch. W board texture tho, easy ch/call shd hv been the play.
this is not at all what actually happened
at this point I don't think any hand that you post for review could be trusted
Iâm trying to remember these hands the next morning and not looking at any playbacks on Utube. U can tell everyone what the exact hand was. Iâm just going w generalities and more concerned bout the spot.
Did you stop taking your mental health meds to save money? Like how you have to use a gym at some hotel you aren't a guest at because you can't afford a gym membership?.
Do u always post because u want me to answer these questions? Or do u posts to always see the bad in everything?
Come join the game any time. U all are welcome.
Iâll answer⌠Stopped taking the meds because I feel it isnât something that even works for bipolar. Lexapro more geared toward depression/anxiety. Plus I feel meds r progrands bs and mayb not worth taking at all. There u go.
If u want bitch like a little bitch bout a fitness center that no one ever uses in the hotel then bitch on. Iâll continue to use it without any concern what others thinks.
Iâm trying to remember these hands the next morning and not looking at any playbacks on Utube. U can tell everyone what the exact hand was. Iâm just going w generalities and more concerned bout the spot.
what do you mean by "trying to remember"? does your brain not work?
if you're concerned about the spot why do you consistently get positions and action wrong? how do you expect to get correct advice if it's based on the wrong information?
hint: no one limp reraised in this hand
care to comment on AK vs JT hand?
what do you mean by "trying to remember"? does your brain not work?
if you're concerned about the spot why do you consistently get positions and action wrong? how do you expect to get correct advice if it's based on the wrong information?
hint: no one limp reraised in this hand
care to comment on AK vs JT hand?
Mayb he cold 4b instead of limp/4 either way it’s a spot for me vs this particular player.
Care to quit beating around the bush and say what u really wanna say?
Can’t recall AK J10 hand. My body has been out of whack lately. Refresh my memory if u want.
Point is, I’ll play anyone in nlhe ring (in stakes I can afford), and always consider myself a favorite.
Do u always post because u want me to answer these questions? Or do u posts to always see the bad in everything?
Come join the game any time. U all are welcome.
Iâll answer⌠Stopped taking the meds because I feel it isnât something that even works for bipolar. Lexapro more geared toward depression/anxiety. Plus I feel meds r progrands bs and mayb not worth taking at all. There u go.
If u want bitch like a little bitch bout a fitness center that no one ever uses in the hotel then bitch on. Iâll
You do a lot of bad things. Constructive criticism is ignored because you know best. Medical professionals are ignored because you know best. Randomized controlled trial evidence on medicine efficacy is ignored because you know best.
I don't think anyone is scared to sit down and play with you at the lowest possible stakes offered at a casino. It isn't worth my time to play live low stakes nl, but it may be worth it to witness the best.
@nio what stakes do they play in ur mom’s basement?
Next question, what’s is ur username gonna b next? @mana or @xlm @pypl-is-the-one?
#3 biggest fan and moving his way up.
