My poker story
About me: I am 35. I have an okay job that pays about $70k a year in Wisconsin. Masters degree+, veteran. I work for sch
Looks nice! gotta get outside some after enduring a long wisconsin winter.
Do you ever lose at poker!? Hopefully you can stick to poker only because you've been crushing it.
Looks nice! gotta get outside some after enduring a long wisconsin winter.
Do you ever lose at poker! Hopefully you can stick to poker only because you've been crushing it.
Yes I think I’ll be able to. I just have to get into the proper mindset before I step into the casino. Ive lost in poker many many times through my life….and it took me a lot to get to this point.
Im bad at many things, but I don’t lose very often anymore in live poker. I have to have a few bad beats or get sucked out on, and of course that happens, just hasnt recently. Granted im playing mostly $1/$3. But I think I could give the higher stakes guys a run for their money. I hope I’m on the come up and there are big things in store for me down the road if I can just stick with it and be disciplined.
Seems like you need an incentive to stop you hitting those craps tables. Do you still keep your poker separate from your life roll? Do have rules for when you can move up in buyins? Maybe put something down that gets you excited to work towards it. Something like a long weekend in Vegas playing 5/10.
Well done on the results. What ever you doing, keep doing it!
Seems like you need an incentive to stop you hitting those craps tables. Do you still keep your poker separate from your life roll? Do have rules for when you can move up in buyins? Maybe put something down that gets you excited to work towards it. Something like a long weekend in Vegas playing 5/10.
Well done on the results. What ever you doing, keep doing it!
Financials are confusing it'd be hard to explain but basically I had $30k in a poker roll when I started this. That's when I was keeping track of my hourly. When I got to Vegas last summer, I decided to go all in on Gamestop Stock with everything I had. I was correct because GME did spike....and I tried selling everything when GME was at about $50ish per share in the first week of being there. Altogether I was peaking at about $43k at one point between everything. Fidelity prevented me from selling my position because they decided they needed to "investigate my account for fraud". I sent them all the bank statements, proof of income, etc., immediately, but they took a full 2 months to finish their investigation and release my funds back to me (they didn't find any fraud because it was all legitimate money), but GME had gone down to $25/share by that point, so I was forced to hold a volatile position longer than I wanted to and take a loss...and it killed what I was able to do in Vegas. I did play lower stakes and some $2/$5 games and had profited, but that stopped me from being able to play any WSOP events or higher stakes cash games.
I had filed multiple complaints through FINRA but they didn't do anything. Fidelity also refused to send me any tax documents this year (despite FINRA requesting they do it directly in a letter - which they chose not to listen to ), which I suspect is because something shady had happened on there end. I could probably sue them, but I'm over it. Taxes filed this year already, life goes on. Anyways I took whatever I had left and put it into Fantasy Football last year and a long-term in Webull. I had hit a contest for $7k last year on Underdog and then made the finals in the FFPC $125 Best Ball Championship with $300k up top competing against 75 other teams or so out of 15,000 total, but finished about 30th in that, so some luck but no huge huge scores.
Right now I have about 10 racks in the night stand and some in Webull. I don't really need a long-term portfolio because I get a pension at work, but want some on a broker in case something comes up where I can buy options quickly. At the moment I get paid through June in my current job and then in September is when I receive income from new job, so because I have July - August without income I'm just trying to chill in $1/$3. I had turned $1k into about $13kish March - February so was playing more aggressive but punted that off in Chicago and chased it with the Lakers Pacers bet and missed. Starting September I'll have about $2k in extra discretionary income so will be able to get something going again eventually, but don't really want to shot take anything too high right now until September because of the job transition.
So this last year wasn't great with stock or sports betting or other stuff, some out of my control some in my control, but I am crushing poker and feel good about where my game is at.... if I had continued to keep track of my hourly this entire year it would have looked ridiculous...granted the sample size is hardly ever large enough for live poker with the amount of hands and hours played and I'm mostly playing $1/$3 against OMCs. Sometimes I try to do too much all at once...but we're learning and what can I say? I'm a ****ing degenerate. Working on it, and do believe in myself. Just have to dial it in a bit more and stay disciplined.
That headache I had after playing on 05/09 turned into a cold that I just now got over, but feeling good again finally. That was my last time playing cards. It's Monday night, local room doesn't open until Wednesday. May try and hop in a few games this week after work and try to get something going heading into the weekend. The end of the year is here, so things at work are slowing down and feel like I don't have to just recover immediately after work until the next day. I'd like to put in some disgusting volume, like some serious 12 hour sessions. Being able to do that will depend how I'm running though, as I don't want to dig too deep into the nightstand until September. If I run poorly I may need to go on hiatus, but not quite there yet. Also...need a haircut. Last time I got my hair cut I proceeded to punt off about $10k in Chicago, so let's not do that. More to come this week.
Hopped in a $1/$3 at about 1:00PM. Had to leave a bit early again due to a headache. Not sure what's going on there. Hopefully it's nothing lingering from New Years if you know what I mean. I don't eat much at work, so I'm thiinking maybe just low blood sugar, not enough hydration, stress, lack of exercise - normal end of the year type stuff. Anyways - heading back home after I pound these tendies. Oneida has a few food options all very basic, but they may have the greatest chicken tenders in the entire world...it's possible. Session was good. I profited $280 in 3.5 hours. Hit a straight on the turn with an open ended draw on flop and was able to stack a guy. I do wish I could play a bit more tonight, but I'll lock the win up and head home. Just trying to book some wins heading into summer and kick any bad habits. Short update, but will be playing a lot more hopefully soon. I may have to change my look up I think these OMCs are talking **** about me behind my back I'm getting some frustrating looks by the room when I walk in lol.
Memorial weekend. Just got my haircut. Did some laundry. Grabbed $5k , packed a bag,and heading to Green Bay, then Milwaukee possibly from there if I can get something going. Headspace strong. Let’s get it. Been looking for backers for high stakes still have 100% of myself if anyone wants to buy a piece of poker let me know.
Memorial weekend. Just got my haircut. Did some laundry. Grabbed $5k, packed a bag, and heading to Green Bay, then Milwaukee possibly from there if I can get something going. Headspace strong. Let’s get it. Been looking for backers for high stakes still have 100% of myself if anyone wants to buy a piece of poker let me know.
Good luck good luck!!! Keep us updated, expect you to keep crushing as always.
Got stuck for about $300 first few orbits but grinded it back had some tough spots but locked in and playing good. Seat 3 so not my favorite spot but cute Asian on my left that was going to give me a bite of her sandwich for $5 so could be worse.
Getting into a “no look” leveling match with a guy across the table making the game a bit confusing but we’re winning the leveling contest probably should tighten up…raising blind 3 bets and cents
Think Iām up like $850 or so but had 2 beers and a rum and coke and stomach is feeling queasy gonna eat some chicken fried rice and reassess where I am going. People on my left have been requesting a seat change so that may be a sign we need a shower lol 😂ā¦probably should pound this meal sober up 100% and head home since itās already 11pm.
Think Iām up like $850 or so but had 2 beers and a rum and coke and stomach is feeling queasy gonna eat some chicken fried rice and reassess where I am going. People on my left have been requesting a seat change so that may be a sign we need a shower lol 😂ā¦probably should pound this meal sober up 100% and head home since itās already 11pm.
Good session is this 2/5?
$1/$3 NLHE out of Oneida Casino in Green Bay, WI. $2/$5 normally doesn't run there...would have to go Milwaukee to play. that most of the time. After some food, ended up hopping back in $1/$3 for a bit won a few more hundred. Up a little over $1,000 I think....drove back home dog tired gonna sleep in late then find a game to play at sometime tomorrow. I don't feel comfortable playing $2/$5 with like $15k however nitty that sounds, just chilling in $1/$3 doing my thing unless I can find a backer or someone to take a piece for mid/high stakes. Altogether played pretty solid not a ton of mistakes aside from one bad bluff that was a complete punt but didn't get stacked just took a check/raise, bet turn, bet river line with a gut shot straight draw on flop that missed into a guy who I thought was competent & strong so one bad mistake otherwise played pretty solid I think
Got a ticket for the sunday million ($110) - so going to give you half of any winningsFirst break down - above starting but just below averageway above my pay grade, but maybe i run like a god.
Are you around to play Sunday millions this weekend or next? I'll put you in if you'd like to play for 50% of your action. Why not? You gave me a freeroll how sick would it be for you to take it down lol. This blog might actually go someplace if you launched me into $5/$10 this summer. But I have to profit in poker today more than $300, so definitely no guarantees, but let me know and I'll PayPal you if I profit in cash game today. I'm in Wisconsin so can't play Sunday Milly. MI state has PokerStars but only smaller tournaments nothing bigger.
appreciate the offer, but no thanks. The few times I have played way out my micro stakes I have done badly and it just pisses me off. As I get outplayed after the river I really have to just nitty up and it never works. But cheers for the offer.
Up $340 in about 4 hours of play but had a really annoying table with just an annoying group of people sorry to say. IĆām always friendly but sometimes people can get under my skin. Need to invest in a pair of headphones. But table was also getting very sick of my preflop aggression. Going to head down to Milwaukee tonight to change it up have a bit of a heater brewing and this room closed Sunday so will play there tonight and maybe into tomorrow depending on things.
K10os. 550 effective. Villain competent reg seat 1 in HJ. Usually plays pretty basic and leans on the tighter side but has been mixing it up a bit vs me this session it seems nothing too wild just check g back top pair or disguising his hands a bit. IĆ’m seat 6. $1/$3 NLHE. He raises $15 we call in BB heads up.
10 6 5 two hearts. I check he bets $25 I call. Turn 3spades. Lead $50. He raises to $180. We shove. He folds. Not sure what he had and not a standard line for me for sure but hard to explain his body language. His eyes were searching the flop for something that wasnĆ’t there and also was a little too tense raising I sensed he wasn’t thrilled about it.
About an hour from Milwaukee thought about that spot on the way. I take a lot of those types of spots though frequently and play very different than people would expect. Been winning over $50/hr at $1/$3 this entire year not saying it’s sustainable but those are the types of things I think that are separating me right now from the player pool. …going to keep it very chill and just grind some value..hopefully lol
You know what **** it I’m sick of $1/$3. I stopped at Walmart got a cheap pair of headphones I’m going to play $2/$5 tonight with the hoodie on and this song on repeat. Have $6k on me gonna try and do something special. Going to become a human bulldozer this isn’t my local room so I don’t have to play nice. Milwaukee vibes are different no OMCs lots of aggressive black dudes so got to bring the punching bags.
K10os. 550 effective. Villain competent reg seat 1 in HJ. Usually plays pretty basic and leans on the tighter side but has been mixing it up a bit vs me this session it seems nothing too wild just check g back top pair or disguising his hands a bit. IĆ’m seat 6. $1/$3 NLHE. He raises $15 we call in BB heads up. 10 6 5 two hearts. I check he bets $25 I call. Turn 3spades.
Why not call the turn and let him barrel off on the river? How much was left behind? I guess if you think he's going to give up or there's not much left it makes sense to shove.
Oh duh you said 550 effective so quite a bit left, did you expect him to not barrel the river?
Why not call the turn and let him barrel off on the river How much was left behind I guess if you think he's going to give up or there's not much left it makes sense to shove.
Oh duh you said 550 effective so quite a bit left, did you expect him to not barrel the river
Well my thought process however accurate it was… was that be would have shut down no chance of him bluffing on river he may have even folded an over pair (unlikely but he could fold JJ-QQ there he seems kinda nitty and gives too much credit to all in jams) and he may have also just folded flush draw not wanting to stick in his stack.
Ran up a stack in $2/$5 in Milwaukee. I'll update some hand histories later. Game got crazy. Floor had to get called over a few times few players in the game were on massive tilt and it was a blood battle. We were stuck initially but grinded back then hit a massive one. The 6k stack is growing. Left about 1230am. Rivers Casino, Chicago offered me a free room nearby...big surprise considering last time I punted. Didn't want to pay for a room in Milwaukee and don't have to be at work till Tuesday so not quite done yet. Got in a bit ago....exhausted. Gonna sleep in as much as I can then find a game to play in tomorrow.
Woke up Sunday, sleep-deprived and running on fumes, and was tired. Had hotel coffee to try and shake off the fog and hit up IHOP. Went there for pancakes, still riding high off the $1400 profit from the night before in Milwaukee $2/$5. Sat there alone, just me and a date with the syrup, thinking about the game the night prior.
I have 4 6 suited on a 6c 10h 2d 9c 3h board. 470 effective 30-40 year old Asian on my right had me covered. Playing tight not much history with anyone and coming off as nice and friendly, but quiet. Had only showed a few strong made hands. He’s playing like 40% VPIP and 3 betting light and opens $20. I 3bet to $65. Blinds fold and he calls heads up. He leads $46 I call. He check calls my $110 turn bet that I take a few moments to make, and over jams river. I tank call. He literally takes one of his cards and throws it at the dealer. Floor was called and he apologized and acts like he meant to muck and floor gives him a timeout. I’ve seen someone rip their cards but never throw their cards at a dealer. That was only the first of two times the floor was called. I was encouraged to call given off a physical tell that he had made a few hands into me sitting down.
When I was done with IHOP I decided to drive home because I was beat. No more poker Sunday. Took a second to sit in the car, choosing the right fukboi white rap track to listen to on the way home and reminiscing as I sometimes do during drives alone.
By the time I was 20, an undergraduate student at UND, Grand Forks, 2008, I was already hooked to poker. When I wasn’t studying for a class, I would play every possible minute I could, and when I didn’t have any money to play, I would watch poker content. High Stakes with Gabe Kaplan, old WSOP videos, Poker After Dark. This was before poker vlogs on YouTube, and Two Plus Two was a bigger thing. I’d read poker blogs of guys chasing their Vegas dreams. Was inspired by a few at the time. I broke a few university laptop screens from punching them on tilt. I don’t tilt much anymore but did then.There wasn’t any live poker around the area so I started a small home game out of one of the campus buildings near the dorm. We’d play a few times a month my freshmen year. I got my roomie into poker. We’d play heads up for play money and egos with one another. This was all before Black Friday when Full Tilt Poker was alive.
These days, poker feels like a lonely game. Sometimes, I wonder what I’ve missed, or what might’ve been different if I’d given myself more freedom to take risks earlier. But in the stillness of these thoughts, I realize something: I’m still on the path. It’s never too late to take things to the next level, to break the cycle and chase what’s always been inside me. That spark….it's back.
Maybe it's the grind of the 9-to-5, the quiet hum of a mid-life crisis, or just the need to shatter the monotony. Whatever it is, the fire is burning again. It’s a reminder that the struggle, the self-doubt, the hesitation…it’s all part of the process. In poker, like in life, we all hit walls. But walls are only challenges disguised as obstacles. Every hand dealt, every setback, every mistake, each of them is a lesson, a piece of the puzzle that will eventually click. The game isn’t just about winning chips; it’s about learning who you are when the stakes are highest. The last few years especially something has clicked for me in poker….and I’m excited to see where the road might take me.
