Hey all. This is my second go at a Get Rich or Die Tryin' Bankroll Challenge. To see how the first attempt went, or to get a feel for the writing style you can expect from this one, check out my old blog: Chrafting Bridges - PokerStars Campaign Mode.
But that's enough with the pleasantries, let's get this thing goin'!
STARTING BANKROLL: $8.73
TARGET BANKROLL: $1,000.00
TIME FRAME: 300 Hours of Play
In my poker career, I've raised my bankroll from the dead ($25 or less) close to a dozen times now. Each time it was done on PokerStars, playing predominantly MTSNGs and MTTs. And I believe that I can do it once more, making this my final trip through the mini-micro stakes.
The time frame is an estimate based on my win-rate and multi-tabling ability. I believe it's important to set yourself a time-based goal that matches your financial one. Personally, I prefer to use a metric that I have more control over - such as hours played. Framing the challenge in this way, instead of setting a hard date for its completion, allows me to progress at a pace that better synchronizes with my current abilities and work-ethic. I should never feel "forced" to play in order to get under some arbitrary deadline. That way, when I do sit down to play, it's with a fresh state of mind and a focus on quality over quantity. In theory, this should make for a much more organic, process-oriented mental approach.
As for when you can expect a new post, my intention is to do 1-2 write-ups per week, with a brief weekly update on the Monday, and another article tackling a subject that (hopefully) players can relate to.
Choose one game. Learn how to beat it. And then grind it with regularity. That's the recipe for sustaining consistent growth.
Looking back through my HM2 database and my OPR results, I can clearly see where my strengths lie. And so I know, definitively, which avenue of attack I will pursue:
Poker Variant: Full-Ring NLHE
Primary Game: MTSNGs (90-180 player field size)
Support Game: MTTs (360 player MTSNGs, "The League" MTT and Stars Rewards Freerolls)
Game Structure: Regular Speed Freezeouts with some Turbo's mixed in to Support. And the $1.50 90-man KO's
This table shows my 2018 results for the games that I've chosen to focus on.
I will not be adding any MTT's, outside of the "The League" tournaments, until I get to $1,000. The field sizes through the micros are so large and the variance in MTTs is so high in general that I'd rather use that "screen slot" to plug in another MTSNG and keep chipping away, slowly but surely.
These numbers aren't arbitrary. In essence, this is a contract - it represents the deal that I've made with variance - and as long as I hold up my end of the bargain (sticking to the bankroll requirements), I have faith that variance will honor its end and propel me upwards through the limits.
PHASE ONE - AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION ($0 - $500)
- The idea is to move through the limits as quickly as practically possible
- Focus on developing a foundation of solid tournament fundamentals
- Develop the core of your play-style
- Find a rhythm. Build momentum. Breed consistency.
- Instill good habits
PHASE TWO - SPECIALIZATION ($500 - $1,000)
- Learn one game inside and out
- Choose a game that has the potential for a steady win-rate, while providing sufficient volume flow on a regular basis
- Create and implement a work schedule around your game of choice in order to maximize efficiency
- Evolve your play-style to suit the current meta-game
PHASE THREE - DIVERSIFICATION ($1,000 - ?????)
- Building upon the chosen specialty, begin diversifying play by gradually adding in MTT's of differing variants and formats
- Branch out into alternative fields of study to support optimal performance (psychology, nutrition, etc.)
- Continue to refine the fundamental skills of tournament poker, developing an expertise.
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I'm excited to get this train back on the tracks and working towards something tangible again. And I hope that my journey can serve to positively impact your own in some small way. So a big thanks for reading, and best of luck to you all!
I've made some edits to this OP because it felt a little too wordy - too much fluff, not enough substance. One of my goals in writing this blog is to provide something of value to anybody who takes the time to read it. I'm not a professional writer by any stretch of the imagination, but I'll do my best to make the read an enjoyable one. More edits on the way...
CEREBRO - A Carefully Chrafted Curation (20/150)
Back by popular demand! - well, I mean, only one person really asked for it. But still...
It's back! the poker playlist.
