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
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 e
Bro, I’m a little confused. You had a pair of 6s — so why did the villain fold? And if he had nothing, how did you know to call his all-in?
I might’ve missed something, but I just want to understand the hand better
Bro, I’m a little confused. You had a pair of 6s — so why did the villain fold? And if he had nothing, how did you know to call his all-in?
I might’ve missed something, but I just want to understand the hand better
Oh no worries. I can see why it may be confusing. He threw his hand into the muck (or rather at the dealer lol) after I called with a pair of 6s because he had air. He didn’t fold, he put me all in. I decided to call his river jam because I thought I was ahead. I didn’t “know”, just thought it was likely given his line, profile, my image, and a physical tell…
Oh no worries. I can see why it may be confusing. He threw his hand into the muck (or rather at the dealer lol) after I called with a pair of 6s because he had air. He didn’t fold, he put me all in. I decided to call his river jam because I thought I was ahead. I didn’t “know”, just thought it was likely given his line, profile, my image, and a physical tell…
Wow, well done. Sometimes it really comes down to moments like that — the ones that determine whether you win or lose at the end of the day.
I know 99% of the time, I’d be folding with just a pair of 6s if someone shoved all-in. I either can’t read people well or just don’t have the guts to make that call with such a weak hand.
But hands like that are exactly what separate the winners from the losers in the long run. It’s not always about having the best cards — it’s about reading the situation, trusting your gut, and making the right move when it counts.
Wow, well done. Sometimes it really comes down to moments like that — the ones that determine whether you win or lose at the end of the day. I know 99% of the time, I’d be folding with just a pair of 6s if someone shoved all-in. I either can’t read people well or just don’t have the guts to make that call with such a weak hand. But hands like that are ex
Being a psychologist helps when it comes to reading people 😀 I rarely make hero calls that light. Most of winning poker is just having strong fundamentals. For every one hand like that there’s probably 100 hands that are normal, but those are all boring to talk about. I do mix in a lot more check raises and isolating and well-timed aggression than many players, but most of what makes winning poker is just patience, playing tight, and solid.
I plan on playing $1/$3 Friday in Green Bay for about 6-8 hours and then Milwaukee $1/$3 - $2/$5 Saturday for about 6 hours or so depending on how I run. If anyone would like to buy a piece of my action for those sessions at no mark up private message me.
Rainy day. Grabbed some cash and a bag, off work for the weekend. Work week was stressful so vibes are a little low but going to grab some food and coffee and get in the proper mindset to grind.
Vibe: https://youtu.be/SQJVDwk3QFI?si=p4sA05eD...
Good luck, have fun
Buy in $300 up to $800 started at about 2pm it’s 6pm. No idea why I’m feeling annoyed but lost an opportunity for a big pot folding a flush draw that hit but it was the right fold. Won a coin flip playing pretty solid but so far nothing too noteworthy
Up big on craps flipped $300 to $3k plus the $500 on poker we are printing hard. We are very drunk gonna hop back into poker and play drunk $1/$3
How'd the session finish up? Hopefully you didn't go back to craps....
Took a bit of a hit when I went back to the poker table. I lost $350 in a hand from the small blind on a 5 handed table. There were two limpers, and I raised to $30 with AQh. Got one caller. I’m drunk trying to sober up lol and it’s like 2am.
Flop came 4 ♦ 6♦ Q♣ with two diamonds. I checked, he bet $10, I check-raised to $35, and he called. Turn was the 10♠. I bet $80, he jammed, and I called. He had a set of sixes. He played it well, even threw in some very subtle reverse tells I wasnt expecting. I did take a solid 20- 30 seconds to think about it. That line screams FOLD he has a set. This player turned out to be very solid so will make a mental note of him for next time so I can adjust….that he is capable of inducing check raises and is very hard to read, and likely knows where he’s at in the hand if he shoves. Im normally raising $35 pre there and just cbetting on a full table but table was very very relaxed and I had just sat down not too long ago so wanted to get some action with my first raise with a strong hand so I dont mind the check raise and turn bet line but calling off I’m not in love with. I think I can find a fold there if I’m locked in. Overall not a horrible spot at 2am in a random Midwest $1/$3 game, but it’s whatever.
Earlier in another brief session, I got stacked for another $300. I was in the game for $800 total after reloading, but ended up deciding to leave with $500. Called down a guy who loves to bluff, holding a weak Ace-x, and he turned over A♠10♠ to take it. Another marginal spot.
After poker, I jumped back into craps and lost $600, then hit the slots and dropped another $1500ish. So at that point, I was on a $2700 downswing from peaking up about $3500 earlier.
Then I hit a hand pay on All Aboard for $1245, but it literally took two hours to get paid out because the machines were down, something to do with Comcast or whatever tech issue they had going on at the casino. Went back to craps, lost another $300, and finally called it a night. I think I walked away up about $1500 in the end.
Overall, it turned into more of a full-on gamble and drinking fest than a focused poker session. I did manage to salvage some of it with the hand pay, but If I keep mixing it up like that, Im bound to get crushed eventually, and thats not the path to winning long term. But it was fun and I profited…so I’ll scratch the entire last night off as an overall mistake that turned out lucky lol
Just spent like $800 at Walmart had to get a new Chromebook and some other life ****. Going to get a lap dance at the strip club by me then put $500 on the Pacers spread and find a poker game
Played at Island Casino in Upper Pen, MI tonight instead of Green Bay. Needed to do something different. Breakeven session. Pacers bet hit but tired. Not thrilled with how I played this weekend. Driving home eating gas station sushi..... the kind that’s been sitting in the middle aisle next to the cold & dry fried chicken for who knows how long but somehow tastes like a weirdly delicious meal. Im not sure whats worse.... the fact that Im eating sushi from a gas station, or that Im enjoying it. Either way, its all part of the same kind of chaos Ive gotten used to. Still theres something poetic about it. Gas station sushi, like the lap dance i received this afternoon from the overweight lady....quick, messy, and oddly satisfying when I least expect it.
I start thinking about random **** when I'm alone with my thoughts on the road. I start reflecting on poker hands, women, all that random **** that has brought me to this point.... but that’s what life is, right? You don't always get what you expect. What I've learned more recently is that poker, as is most things...is more than just a card game...it's a game of ego. We sit at the table, pretending to just be players in the same contest, but beneath the surface, we're all playing for something more.The real game is a battle for control, a test of identity, where our sense of self is on the line. Were all here to prove something, to ourselves, to others, and to the world. The cards might be random, the hands might change, but what remains constant is that poker is a game where how you see yourself is as important as the chips in front of you. Every decision is reflection of the person you are, and the person you want to be. The game forces you to confront your own limits, your own doubts, and the fragile nature of the image you project to the world. I see more of that in people when I'm playing than I did before...and I wonder if I'm just overthinking everything or if that's what has helped things click.
In live poker, its not just about understanding math or pot odds... it’s about understanding the unspoken dynamics of the table.... knowing who is desperate and who is hiding fear. You might have the best hand, but what matters more is how you handle the weight of risk, and how you balance the decisions you make against your own insecurities. The game strips away the layers of civility and exposes something raw....a hunger for validation, a desire to control not just the table, but how we see ourselves as we navigate through it. But that hunger isnt always satisfied. No matter how skilled you are, poker reminds you that the game is never just about winning.... its about enduring the moments when everything you thought you understood about yourself falls apart. In the end, the real victory isnt just collecting the chips, but maintaining your sense of self in the face of pressure. Poker is a crucible that tests your identity. At the table, I face moments of brilliance and moments of defeat, but the one constant is that I'm playing against more than just opponents. I'm playing against my own need to be right, a desire for control, and my fear of vulnerability. The true game of poker is in the mind, in the way you balance arrogance with humility, confidence with doubt. The cards may be dealt at random, but the outcome is determined by how well you manage that balance. Poker is a mirror of the self.
Excellent post, and so true. One of the reasons I love poker is how much you learn about yourself, and how much it resembles this game of life.
Gas station sushi, like the lap dance i received this afternoon from the overweight lady....quick, messy, and oddly satisfying when I least expect it.
Loved everything you said, and hate to highlight this part, but I got a good chuckle out of it haha. Glad to see you back posting!
Tomorrow is my last day of work at my job, and then it's summer vacation. Sooo glad that I'm leaving that position, my patience has definitely spread thin working with certain people there. For my new position I have a few trainings this summer, like 3-4 days worth, in mid-July & August, but otherwise will be off until the end of August. I'm also going on a backpacking camping trip to Isle Royal National Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this Sunday for about a week with my Dad & Brother, and then will be spending some time on and off between my Parents place and my place during summer months. For camping we'll be walking like 40 miles with packs on and little food, so that should be an interesting experience since I'm so out of shape! It will be good being outside for an entire week, but hopefully my body doesn't break down I'm not as young as I once was! My 70 year old dad is in great shape and I'll try not to let him kick my ass the entire time.
I don't have a ton on the summer schedule outside of just those few things. For poker goals this summer, ideally I'd like to make about $5,000 this summer, and stick to poker only as much as possible. That is doable for me I feel but also could run poorly and easily drop that much as well. If I start running good I may venture out to craps or sport's betting a bit, but if I can make $5,000 from grinding cash games this summer it will put me in a very good spot heading into the new job, and would encourage me to stay grinding over the next year. I have 3 months to try to accomplish that from June - August, not sure how often I'll be able to play, but will update here and there as I play sessions & there will definitely be time I have to play a chunk. Since I don't have to leave for camping until this Sunday I plan on playing tomorrow Wednesday - Saturday some, so hopefully I don't run like dog **** to start the summer, which usually seems to happen the moment I make any sort of financial goals.
Overall this past month of May was very solid for me, and was lucky to run good in just about everything I touched, which got me closer to recapping what I'd punted at Rivers that one bad weekend, so am grateful for that. I have about 20k on me with a decent amount of discretionary income starting in September when I start getting paid from the new job (about 2.5kish per month after bills in extra's), so I have a good shot at running up a nice bankroll here over the next year especially if I can supplement that further with poker. Moving up in stakes is definitely possible by next summer as well if I can get something going, and then from there as I can play higher who knows what might happen in Summer 2026. I do have bills obviously this summer, so that's why I'd like to try and keep the balance steady by playing poker as I transition positions. Overall things are going good for me and mental state is strong. Poker game has been solid and I think I'm playing a winning game still. Last weekend I was definitely playing sub par but that happens. Aside from poker goals, I'd also like to exercise more this summer, spend more time outside and moving around, and just taking some time to enjoy the nice weather. Also have to organize my garage. I may end up moving closer to work, but likely will stay where I'm at for a year more and just commute back and forth, and then move next summer instead which takes off some of the pressure in having to do much in that regard. May hire some dude off Craigslist to do that for me to be honest....anyways let's get it!
Off for summer. Next 4 days going to play cards. Blue skies, heading to Green Bay drinking a Diet Coke with an American Flag on it ….listening to some Lynnyrd Skynyrd. Could have come into this world as a rat in a third world country, instead we are blessed to be chasing pipe dreams. ❤️
Ran up a stack from $500 in $1/$3. Only came with $1k so summer started good. Going to make my way down to Milwaukee. Have a headache though need some ibuprofen.
Got stuck a bit in Milwaukee. Ran up $300 to $900 in craps then sat in a $1/$3 game and lost $200. Only played in a 1/3 game for 2 hours or so. Called a guy with AQ high from button. Folds to me pre I raise $25 into 2 limpers and only Asian from BB calls. Flop 5d 8 3 two spades. Check check. He leads $45 on a 9h turn. I call. He bets a 4 spades river for $80 I call he mucks instantly and I win with ace high. Then I lose a pot from UTG. I limp 99s. One other limper to button who has been attacking pre who makes it $20. SB bad OMC type calls $20. I 3bet to $125. Limper & Button fold. SB 4bet shoves for $90 more I call. He shows QQ and I donÂ’t improve. I leave shortly after that to go back to craps. Lose $300 on table craps go to bubble craps lose about $1200ish on two 7 out rolls from come out with $500 and then $800 in and just looking for 2 or so rolls. Put $1800 on TB MLB for -140 moneyline vs Miami score is 3-1 TB top of 4th in game odds already -1200 so hopefully that comes in and IÂ’ll be slightly below even a few hundred or so. I drove back to GB so watching from Sportsbook then if this hits will hop in a poker game.
Also donÂ’t be that guy that bets like $50 on the team youÂ’re clearing not rooting and chooses to sit directly behind you and cheers anytime your team makes a mistake. God people are unbelievably annoying in public I swear. Astounding how socially inept boomers are.
In game odds were -2000 7th inning. Miami gets 3 runs top of the 8th and odds get down to -375 guy behind me falling off his seat cheering like a lunatic putting me on mad tilt but TB cliched the W…nearly got ****ed again but back to poker. Wil try not to get stuck and repeat that pattern. Was searching for a game to put $5k if that missed…luckily don’t have to chase it.
Aces vs kings pre I’m on button raise to $25 vs 2 limpers. SB 4 bets me to $70 and we shove for $550 effective he has aces. Nearly folded pre no lie also was going to call $50 and fold to ace or Queen Flop but just decided to go with it was a punt honestly could have folded. Only down $180 l. Also had aces earlier vs Asian on my left got it all in $280 effective and he got there with a flush draw called $25 pre with 5 2 suited. Not tilting but annoyed.
Poker session last night very frustrating bought in for $300 would grind it up to $700ish then get it in pre as the pre flop raiser in a coin flip and get knocked back down to $200ish then would grind it back up and get knocked down again that same thing happened about 4 times. Played a really long session like 12 hours and came out down a few hundred or so. Aside from punting $550 pre with kings which arguably wasn’t that big of a punt I was either losing coin flips or losing spots I was ahead in. If I was able to record that entire session it would have shown a tremendous amount of tenacity and grit with the amount of bad bears I was taking yet not waiving the flag or letting it effect my game. Put a chunk on the Yankees MLB ML tonight and going to play some 1/3.
Sounds a bit like my last live poker session last weekend, except never quite doubled the stack. So I'd keep getting knocked down and topping up, knocked down and top up again. Few good hands I hit nobody had anything or they'd get there.
GL with the Yanks! Betting the Belmont too or are the horsies not your thing?
Sounds a bit like my last live poker session last weekend, except never quite doubled the stack. So I'd keep getting knocked down and topping up, knocked down and top up again. Few good hands I hit nobody had anything or they'd get there.
GL with the Yanks! Betting the Belmont too or are the horsies not your thing?
For sure those sessions are what really does make or break winning poker. Controlling your emotions while simultaneously getting beamed by a sledgehammer. The fact I was able to do that over 12 consecutive hours is a testament to my game I believe.
I’ve never bet on horses probably only thing I’ve never wagered on. Guess I’d rather get some entertainment value from something I wouldn’t mind watching as much like baseball while playing poker. Go Yankees though I think they are in a good spot and I’m 3-0 last 3 bets if this one comes in I’ll have some nice cushion.
Just got back from a backpack hiking trip for a week. Went with my dad and brother to Isle Royale in UP Michigan. It was brutal hiked about 50 miles total slept in tents on the hard ground and carried 50 lb bags on our backs. Reminded me of basic training for military. Was out of shape so was difficult for me. Ended with some gnarly blisters and sore feet. But overall fun. Got to see a few wild moose, wolves, caught some fish, and some other fun stuff. Leaving back home Friday going to play some cards again soon. My uncle also passed away a few days ago so am going to Tennessee for a funeral for July 4th for a few days, but overall mental state is strong and excited to get back into the swing of things shortly. Oh yeah Yankees bet missed before I left so that was a zero so hopefully I can get something cooking. Last month I haven’t been running the best in poker but still managing to break close to even so I’m hoping I can turn that around.
Stopped at the crib grabbed $10k heading to Chicago. Will try not to get boned. Sometimes I get in this mindset where I feel invincible….hopefully I don’t punt it all l. Got an Airbnb close to Rivers tonight and tomorrow
