Indeed, that one zero changes a lot 
Notifications
Clear all
Just before getting into the plane, I had my last warm-up session online. Very tough Final Table, at least 3 guys I often see in GG Millions 10k tournament, including Bert Stevens aka girafganger7. But with a nice rush of the cards when it mattered the most, I got my best online score this year 
Now off to Barcelona 
Good luck in sir! And congratz on on the first... Will be looking forward for updates from Spain
Congratulations and good luck in Barcelona! I wanted to ask you how do you deal with accommodation when you travel so much. Is it part of the poker expences or are you using money outside of your poker bankroll to fund the trip and just get to play some poker while on a cool trip
P.s. Great pic with the honeybadger 😁
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 36
Weekly loses -2703
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 13 535€
Current Bankroll 10 832€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
It could have been a great week, but ended as always
Travelling to Spain for Barcelona event, naturally you expect a great festival, both for results and overall experience. I started my play in the Main Event on day 1G with one more day possible as the last chance. It was going Ok, until I got dealt J♣:J♥: on the BB. There were already an open and 4 callers (lots of multiway pots btw), so I decided to make a huge 1/4 stack 3bet which was interpreted as a weakness by original raiser. My opponent 4bet jam 60BB stack with A♦:7♦: and punished me by rivering flush 
2nd bullet didn't go well either. I defended K♠:T♠: vs UTG and MP in a 3way pot on the BB and ch/called the K♣:9♦:3♠: flop. As 6♥: was checked by us, I decided to make an inducing small lead on 7♥: with intention to call if chipleader decides to jam. That's what happened, but unfortunately original raiser had 7♦:6♦: for runner-runner hidden two pair 
3rd bullet A♣:A♥: preflop Allin in 3way pot versus blinds, when one of them rivered trips of nines with A♠:9♥:
The next day I entered Barcelona Cup tournament of 550€, but bricked both of my bullets. First one lost two flips with A♣:T♥: < 7♦:7♣: and then other way around 7♥:7♣: < K♣:Q♠:. Other one kinda standard exit - A♣:T♦:<A♠:K♠: in Blind battle on A♦:8♠:4♠:. for around 20BB.
And the last day pretty much summed up my festival. I wanted to play the Highroller event of 2200€, but first tried my luck in satellite, where I couldn't win a race with A♣:J♦: vs 7♠:7♣:. Still decided to make a direct entry to the tournament as the field was huge. Despite higher buy-in, it was probably my best play in the festival overall and I was constantly chipping up. Not far away from the money my busto hand appeared UTG opened, MP player jammed 10BB with J♦:T♦:, fancy player on the Button coldcalled with A♠:J♦: while I found A♥:K♣: on the Button. My squeeze/jam was eventually called and I was in a very good shape not only to cruise to ITM, but also by being chipleader at least at my table. However, not one but both case Jacks showed up
Something good about Barcelona? I was really impressed not only by Sagrada Familia, but with most works of Antonio Gaudi. Hoping next year I will spend more time here both at the tables and exploring the city
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 37
Weekly profit 8179
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 10 832€
Current Bankroll 19 011€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
Good day Grinders 
My week started well, lots of deep runs and one silver with a 4 digit score:
But Sunday brought more happiness, Mystery Bounty tournament in particular. There was an article on PokerStrategy recently about such format https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Is-there-too-much-gamble-in-Mystery-Bounties-_132490/ which I totally agree. A lot of gambling right after the chests become available and it is a very common situation when chipleader loses his stack in 3 hands with trash hands just for the possibility of chest. Ironically, they still gamble a lot even if the biggest prize is already out of the game In that case the right strategy leans toward the simple tournament strategy, or at least a simple bounty tournament when laddering up gives you much more value than taking the bounty. But as people make such blunders constantly, this format suits me a lot 
This particular hand happened in the latter stages, the biggest Top5 prizes were already taken. I make a standard open JTs from the MP and call a shortie jam of 7BB. Unfortunately I was dominated by AT, but my hand has plenty of options to make a winning one. J♣: came up and here we go for a chest! Something unusually happens when I see the text "The Gold chest" and soon after slowly the prize of $5900 appears 
Funny thing, that's the amount I spent for tournament in Barcelona, so very well played GG for matching the variance However, the tournament doesn't end here and I continue my job. Couple more chests in my way but for minimum prize and I see that there are only 3 tables left, with the first place prize over 40k. My hopes are strengthened once I saw A♠:A♥: being delt on the BB. The MP guy opened and I was already thinking if I should be tricky and only flat with 13BB or play it simple and jam, hoping he gets fancy for the chest. But my thinking is interrupted as the SB jams (correctly) pocket sevens for a similar amount, slightly covering me. Dream spot, but unfortunately the Turn sent me from the tables with mixed feelings. Big score, but I wouldn't mind to play a little longer
And lastly, on Sunday I won my next trip
There is a festival in France at the beginning of October which I am going for sure now. I was thinking to use my Silver Pass exactly for this event anyway I've never been to this city and it seems like it is going to be a challenge to get there. As the ticket only includes a Seat and travel expenses of 400€, tonyozhelev question about accommodation is right on point here This year I already had 9 trips:
3 trips with my family when hotels were included in the package
3 trips with poker friends when we share a hotel price
3 trips on my own when I pay a full price of the hotel
So there is a mix of my travels, typical balanced poker player's range Not sure if anyone wants to join me for this event, but I don't mind any of the options. Yes, when you travel alone, you pay for a single room almost the same amount as the double room, but at the same time you have total privacy which is not a bad thing, especially when you want to concentrate on the game.
That's it for now, see you at the tables
Fantastic result. I've been following your blog for a long time, the main inspiration for me starting mines. Love the work you put in.
I'm calling it now, you will take down the event in France, you heard it here first.
OMG you are my poker inspiration ♠_drink:
I really am curios how is your weekly schedule looks like? In my case I would love to play and study more, but with 2 jobs and building a house I really am limited to evenings.
Good luck and keep it up. 
Originally posted by mariussica88
OMG you are my poker inspiration ♠_drink:I really am curios how is your weekly schedule looks like? In my case I would love to play and study more, but with 2 jobs and building a house I really am limited to evenings.
Good luck and keep it up.
Monday - Totally free of poker
Tuesday - PokerStrategy stuff + some other articles/news (3 hours)
Wednesday - GG Millions Final table review + my own MTT Session (2 hours + 6 hours)
Thursday - Review of my tournaments with GTO Wizard in the morning + Live Poker videos before sleep (4 hours)
Friday - BenCb Videos + my own MTT Session (1 hour + 6 hours)
Saturday - Review of my tournaments with GTO Wizard (3 hours)
Sunday - Some poker stuff like articles/news before my Night grind (hopefully around 8-10 hours)
As you see, I slowly pace-up from Tuesday, so I would be on my peak at Sunday. For me it suits 10-15 hours for studying and around 20 hours of play. I know it is difficult to commit so many hours if you have two jobs, but if I spend less, I instantly get into downswing
Originally posted by garynicol85
Fantastic result. I've been following your blog for a long time, the main inspiration for me starting mines. Love the work you put in.I'm calling it now, you will take down the event in France, you heard it here first.
Alright, I take it Will have to add "special thanks to GaryNicol in my winning speech
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 38
Weekly loses -2839
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 19 011€
Current Bankroll 16 172€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
Up and down, up and down continues as I struggle to show profits after my best week in a year. In general, I was very happy with my preparation and schedule throughout the week, was confident before my all 3 sessions, but nothing really worked. Biggest tournament of the week ended fast, when T♠:T♦: run into K♥:K♦: Solver says pretty standard, not sure if I could play any other line than open/jam 35BB in MPvCO battle 
However, my session could have been saved by the very last tournament of the week. PowerPath on PokerStars guaranteed 3 packages of 2500$ value but unfortunately had to take that bubble spot. Lost 2 flips in the last 2 hands, but probably I could have avoided first when I though my 5♦:5♠: is good enough to call after less than 5BB shove. The opponent is supposed to shove close to any2 (The hand before he jammed J4s for 11BB and lost , which is OK in bubble phase in satellites), but even that wide range is usually a flip, and you want to avoid flips here. After the loss, I got pocket ladies which were Rivered by AKs.
PokerStars - 15000/30000 Ante 3000 NL - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
SB: 10.21 BB (VPIP: 17.81, PFR: 14.54, 3Bet Preflop: 5.97, Hands: 558)
Hero (BB): 9.38 BB
CO: 4.73 BB (VPIP: 21.99, PFR: 24.03, 3Bet Preflop: 8.93, Hands: 196)
BTN: 7.01 BB (VPIP: 27.44, PFR: 19.63, 3Bet Preflop: 4.61, Hands: 535)
4 players post ante of 0.1 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.9 BB) Hero has 5♦ 5♠
CO raises to 4.63 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, Hero calls 3.63 BB
Flop: (10.16 BB, 2 players) K♠ 8♥ 2♥
Turn: (10.16 BB, 2 players) 6♦
River: (10.16 BB, 2 players) A♥
Hero shows 5♦ 5♠ (One Pair, Fives)
(Pre 51%, Flop 8%, Turn 5%)
CO shows 8♦ 9♥ (One Pair, Eights)
(Pre 49%, Flop 92%, Turn 95%)
CO wins 10.16 BB
PokerStars - 15000/30000 Ante 3000 NL - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
CO: 9.51 BB (VPIP: 17.74, PFR: 14.48, 3Bet Preflop: 5.94, Hands: 560)
Hero (BTN): 4.05 BB
SB: 10.96 BB (VPIP: 22.40, PFR: 24.52, 3Bet Preflop: 8.93, Hands: 198)
BB: 6.81 BB (VPIP: 27.34, PFR: 19.55, 3Bet Preflop: 4.59, Hands: 537)
4 players post ante of 0.1 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.9 BB) Hero has Q♦ Q♥
CO raises to 9.41 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 3.95 BB and is all-in, fold, fold
Flop: (9.79 BB, 2 players) 7♦ 4♠ 7♠
Turn: (9.79 BB, 2 players) 9♣
River: (9.79 BB, 2 players) 2♠
CO shows K♠ A♠ (Flush, Ace High)
(Pre 46%, Flop 49%, Turn 32%)
Hero shows Q♦ Q♥ (Two Pair, Queens and Sevens)
(Pre 54%, Flop 51%, Turn 68%)
CO wins 9.79 BB
According to my yo-yo results, this week should be a positive one so hopefully my next update will be in green colors
Originally posted by Mantelo
Originally posted by mariussica88
OMG you are my poker inspiration ♠_drink:I really am curios how is your weekly schedule looks like? In my case I would love to play and study more, but with 2 jobs and building a house I really am limited to evenings.
Good luck and keep it up.
Monday - Totally free of poker
Tuesday - PokerStrategy stuff + some other articles/news (3 hours)
Wednesday - GG Millions Final table review + my own MTT Session (2 hours + 6 hours)
Thursday - Review of my tournaments with GTO Wizard in the morning + Live Poker videos before sleep (4 hours)
Friday - BenCb Videos + my own MTT Session (1 hour + 6 hours)
Saturday - Review of my tournaments with GTO Wizard (3 hours)
Sunday - Some poker stuff like articles/news before my Night grindAs you see, I slowly pace-up from Tuesday, so I would be on my peak at Sunday. For me it suits 10-15 hours for studying and around 20 hours of play. I know it is difficult to commit so many hours if you have two jobs, but if I spend less, I instantly get into downswing
I remember you also had this piece of land, not harvesting anything there this autumn or is the season already fully over for you? How does it look there right now? I thought maybe you already set up a small wood hut?
Hi Sven
The reason of limited poker hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays is that we spent half of the day in our "farm". No wooden huts yet, the most of my work is by cleaning the area But I enjoy it, and the further it goes, the more pretty it looks. Also, I installed the outdoors Reolink camera, so now I finally can see, who comes to visit us. So far only foxes and deers were caught, while boars are still hiding
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 39
Weekly loses -715
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 16 172€
Current Bankroll 15 457€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
A week started nicely with this thin:
But bricked most tournaments on Sunday and the final results ended negative
No satellites to Live events either, with a cooler to EPT Cyprus festival. I tanked a lot on the River, and although Solver says "pure call", I just had a feeling he always beats me. I was right 
PokerStars - 75/150 Ante 20 NL (8 max) - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
UTG+1: 38.79 BB (VPIP: 24.90, PFR: 16.40, 3Bet Preflop: 8.89, Hands: 520)
MP: 61.93 BB (VPIP: 20.41, PFR: 15.56, 3Bet Preflop: 8.93, Hands: 147)
CO: 47.32 BB (VPIP: 26.79, PFR: 14.29, 3Bet Preflop: 7.41, Hands: 56)
Hero (BTN): 40.28 BB
SB: 21.04 BB (VPIP: 21.31, PFR: 16.17, 3Bet Preflop: 11.00, Hands: 494)
BB: 26.27 BB (VPIP: 23.21, PFR: 16.28, 3Bet Preflop: 8.51, Hands: 225)
UTG: 71.91 BB (VPIP: 27.06, PFR: 20.02, 3Bet Preflop: 9.40, Hands: 1,026)
7 players post ante of 0.13 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 2.43 BB) Hero has A♣ K♣
UTG raises to 2.06 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 5.5 BB, fold, fold, UTG calls 3.44 BB
Flop: (13.43 BB, 2 players) 7♣ 3♣ T♠
UTG checks, Hero checks
Turn: (13.43 BB, 2 players) A♠
UTG checks, Hero bets 4 BB, UTG raises to 9.5 BB, Hero calls 5.5 BB
River: (32.43 BB, 2 players) A♥
UTG bets 56.77 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 25.15 BB and is all-in
UTG shows 7♦ 7♥ (Full House, Sevens full of Aces)
(Pre 52%, Flop 74%, Turn 82%)
Hero shows A♣ K♣ (Three of a Kind, Aces)
(Pre 48%, Flop 26%, Turn 18%)
UTG wins 82.73 BB
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 40
Weekly profit 1882
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 15 457€
Current Bankroll 17 339€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
Good day Grinders
Tomorrow I have a flight to PokerStars Aix-Les-Bains festival so it is nice to travel in a good form. Of course a lot depends on a good variance, especially like the one I had yesterday
I didn't plan to play on Monday but there was major Sunday Million 4-day tournament and I qualified to day2 with a healthy stack. The next day started really well and at one point I was even chipleading the tournament. It doesn't mean much with 2000 players left but I managed to be on Top for a long time and once the day was approaching to the end at 160 players, my Kings were cracked by pocket Tens
PokerStars - 60000/120000 Ante 15000 NL (8 max) - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
CO: 21.62 BB (VPIP: 20.62, PFR: 17.78, 3Bet Preflop: 5.56, Hands: 97)
BTN: 21.15 BB (VPIP: 23.08, PFR: 15.38, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 13)
SB: 23.36 BB (VPIP: 18.14, PFR: 14.42, 3Bet Preflop: 6.41, Hands: 218)
BB: 25.77 BB (VPIP: 20.83, PFR: 8.51, 3Bet Preflop: 10.53, Hands: 48)
UTG: 12.65 BB (VPIP: 26.92, PFR: 23.08, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 26)
Hero (UTG+1): 16.98 BB
MP: 36.11 BB (VPIP: 20.45, PFR: 18.60, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 88)
MP+1: 33.97 BB (VPIP: 22.33, PFR: 19.00, 3Bet Preflop: 12.50, Hands: 104)
8 players post ante of 0.13 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 2.5 BB) Hero has K♥ K♣
fold, Hero raises to 2 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB raises to 25.65 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 14.85 BB and is all-in
Flop: (35.2 BB, 2 players) 2♦ T♦ 3♣
Turn: (35.2 BB, 2 players) 9♠
River: (35.2 BB, 2 players) 6♦
BB shows T♣ T♥ (Three of a Kind, Tens)
(Pre 18%, Flop 91%, Turn 95%)
Hero shows K♥ K♣ (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 82%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)
BB wins 35.2 BB
Also on the same night I won a Silver Path worth 2500$. As it is my 2nd ticket already, I think I will use one in Live event and the other I will exchange to online tickets
However, it wasn't the biggest score of the night yet. I had a very deep run on GG, 54$ Bounty Hunter event. Being in 7th position with 17 left, CO jammed around 20BB stack, slightly covering me. That was a chiplead pot and unfortunately River sent my bounty to my opponent
With those two deep runs, on one hand I am very happy with my play and the result, but on the other - it could have been that one tournament of the year that completes my bankroll challenge Well, I guess I have another 3 months
Only a quarter left of the year, a good time to look at my yearly goals
1. Have 10 trips outside Lithuania, at least 1 country new to me
February - Paris, France FPS
March - Rozvadov & Madrid
May - Namur
June - Malaga
July - Cyprus
August - London
September - Barcelona
October - Aix Les Bains, France
A trip to France marks my 9th voyage this year. Also, Aix-Les-Bains would be another new city for me along with Namur, Malaga and Barcelona. And with 3 months still left, I'm sure I will squeeze one more trip for sure
2. Extend Trophy board or ship Major MTT online event
Nothing yet. But from all my Live trips this year, Aix-Les-Bains might provide the biggest chance. The reason - I expect the lowest attendance from all the events, last year it had close to 500 runners. Huge difference from Barcelona where it registered around 8000 participants
3. Reach Final Table in Sunday Million, GG Masters or any 1 Million Guaranteed event
Last week I had a closest run in Sunday Million this year. A suckout hand KK<TT preflop at the last minutes of Day 2 stopped me from progressing further, but still happy with a deep run.
4. Study poker 360 hours
January - 56 hours
February - 40 hours
March - 25 hours
April - 13 hours
May - 17 hours
June 7 - hours
July - 18 hours
August - 21 hours
September - 32 hours
229 hours after 39 weeks. After calm summer, the hours are increasing and hopefully keeps high numbers until the end of the year. Purchasing GTO Wizard doesn't automatically guarantees it, but it gives me another motivation to spend extra hours in getting deeper into this game 
5. Experience of 10 educational trails in Lithuania
Silenai Hiking Trail
Ribiškių Educational Trail
Dvarčionių Healthy Trail
Anykščiai treetop walking path
Strielčikai pathwalk
Sapieginės educational healthy Trail
6. Foster our Homestead
Although no grand constructions here, but I'm happy with the progress we are making here. My wife is engaged mostly in flowers, vegetables, while I am busy in shaping the surrounding in general. As in winter it's almost impossible to reach our homestead by car, we only have a month or maximum two to enjoy our escape from the city 
7. Reach 65k XPoints Total on French Duolingo
A goal that was reached fast but still progressing. At the moment 72k Xpoints, way above the mark
8. Help Top Kickers team avoid relegation and have 10 attacking returns
With 2 games left, the relegation zone is far behind us. We guaranteed 4-5 position, a result that is good for a newly promoted team. However, instead of 10 attacking returns I only have 3 goals
9. Read 12 books
Tim Marshall - Prisoners of Geography
Mark Galeotti - A Field Guide to the New Way of War
An Atlas of Extinct Countries - Gideon Defoe
100 Places You Will Never Visit by Daniel Smith
Dilogy "Peter's Empress" by Kristina Sabaliauskaitė
Onoré de Balzac „Le père Goriot“
Tesla: His Tremendous and Troubled Life by Marko Perko
Craig Whitlock's The Afghanistan Papers: A secret history of the war
Tahir Shah "Timbuktu"
9 out of 12, a good pace to complete the goal
10. Complete 10 Bucket List activities
Take part in Formula-1 weekend
Watch Live reputable football match in a stadium
Listen to a famous Concert
Listen to Live Opera
Attend a music Festival
Watch a performance in Theatre
Witness one of the new World Wonders
Set eyes on the Nature Wonder
Experience Sauna procedures
Organize outdoors event for friends
Only 3 activities performed from last goal so will have to do some catching in the last months. While last week I went to Old sauna with a professional bathouser. 4 hours with a relaxing program, including birching, honey scrubbing and smell therapy. Maybe that was my secret for a good Sunday Million performance? 
So these are my goals so far and overall I'm happy with the way it is progressing. In couple of hours I'm flying to Aix-Les-Bains so hopefully I can mark one more goal here! See you soon
Originally posted by garynicol85
I'm calling it now, you will take down the event in France, you heard it here first.
Well, you are a terrible Nostradamus
No Trophy in France, not a single cash in any events After a 16 hours trip, including two buses, two trains and two flights I finally arrived in Aix-Les-Bains, a smallish town in France. Started on day 1B and the beginning was pretty good with small and medium pots coming in my way. But then everything shifted First I called a 3betjam of 40BB with J♣:J♥: vs T♠:T♦: - River T♣:. Another call of 20BB shove with A♥:J♣: vs K♦:T♠: was beaten by Turned King. And the last hand before diner break - The guy blindly 3bet jam 20BB with 9♣:5♥: and cracked my A♣:K♦: once again After the diner I was still fighting up and down while I open jammed Q♠:J♠: 13BB, got called by 9♦:9♥:, and despite hitting my Queen along a flushdraw, was eliminated by another :9x:.
Next day another chance, entered 1C but it was a short battle. I opened BU with Q♣:Q♥:, spewy guy on the BB 3bet big and insta called my 4bet jam with A♥:3♥:. 60BB pot was gifted to my opponent as couple of 
appeared on the board A double bad beat as I couldn't make a re-entry under strange France rules, only because I played the same event yesterday. So I had to wait for the last flight - Turbo 1D. Again a good start, decent medium phase but close to the bubble I got A♣:K♥:. It was again too spewy table so I decided to make a tricky play with limping UTG. As expected one guy Isolated, another called and I had an easy choice of jamming 20BB stack. Original raiser quickly overjammed and other guy finally called after tanking for around 5 minutes. I though I am in good shape after first guy showed A♠:Q♠:, but the last one slowrolled with ... K♠:K♥: No Karma for him as the board didn't improve for me and only some side events were left. But no luck there also - lost J♣:J♦: vs A♣:K♣: and A♦:Q♠: in 3way allin, Bounty event 7♦:7♠: beaten by A♥:T♣: pre and finally 8♥:7♥: couldn't hit any of half deck outs versus T♦:7♠: on T♥:6♥:5♠:
No luck at the tables but at least I could witness The Alps for the first time. A majestic view especially when you see it Live. Only a small portion of emotions can be transferred by photos but still here you are
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 42
Weekly profit 2074
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 17 339€
Current Bankroll 19 413 €
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
Just like after Barcelona, after unsuccessful week in Aix-Les-Bains, I got some luck once I get back online
Although not a win, but still I am happy to take a Final Table in such huge field
Bankroll Challenge 2024
Week 43
Weekly loses -1021
Starting bankroll 10 000€
Last Update 19 413€
Current Bankroll 18 392€
Goal Bankroll 60 000€
Not a good week, although it started well. A victory in a 30$ tournament for a 4 figure score
However Sunday session didn't go well. Tried some Live satellites to UK Nottingham, EPT Prague, and of course GG Paradise WSOP Bahamas but no package in neither of them. I though that while all the Regs are in Cyprus for EPT now, it will be an easier field, but obviously I was wrong
Nonetheless, let's try for another week, see you at the tables