Ramble's Ramblings

Originally posted by Ramble
It is my responsibility, and if I let others make me happy or allow them to disappoint me - it is because I have chosen to give them that power. So tonight I've made the decision to take back control and move on.

Nice thought, but I struggled to implement it as my next quote indicates...

Originally posted by Ramble
Mentally I've just checked out - I have lost the joy for playing, studying or even thinking about anything poker.

It sucks that I let someone else's action (or lack of action) affect me, but I did. Anyways, I've learned from it and had a nice poker-vacation, but now - I'm back baby!

Originally posted by zachrina
This is the beauty of the game mate.
We can choose when to dip in and out as we please. In real life this isn't an option.

Thanks Bud - Sometimes I put so much into poker (playing, studying and this site/forum), that I forget that it is just a hobby for me. If it isn't giving me joy, it's time to "dip out" as you say.

Originally posted by maythany
My advice is (if it matters) if there are life events that are happening that are a priority then that is more important IMO. Also, time away from certain things can make you miss them after awhile. Imagine eating the same kind of pizza everyday or 4 times a week

Maybe after that break you take, you will rejuvenate your motivation and continue on your journey ...

I always appreciate your advice man. The truth is, that the life events that matter weren't getting in the way - I am ready to sacrifice all my time for that and have been when needed. The things I was letting bother me really weren't that important in the end, and based on experience, not something I want anything to do with any more. Having realized that, I am now free to put even more focus on the things that are important - so to your point - I am rejuvenated and ready to continue on my journey!

Originally posted by webhunky
In my opinion, it's impossible to be a successful poker player, if you have a regular job or a busy family life.
It's just that a field is not as soft as it used to be several years ago. You need to study and improve every week, it takes time.

Also the main reason should be, that poker takes a lot of mental energy.. I couldn't imagine playing my best poker, if I'd come back tired from work.
You need to be well rested and focused on your game.

Otherwise, poker should be just a hobby, instead of grinding and feeling frustrated most of the time. Couple of extra bucks to the normal salary
Although I disagree with your first statement (I think it depends on how you define success - I consider myself successful in poker and have both a busy career and family-life), I agree with all your other points. I've made it very clear in my blog that this is, and will always be, just a hobby for me. I just treat it very seriously, because the challenge of improving is what I enjoy.

Thanks for posting guys - I really appreciate it!

Welcome back
By the way, I've been in this spot quite often - getting so frustrated with poker and mentally tired - that I just take a break. And couple of days later I'm already missing the action and sitting down at the tables with double motivation.
I guess most of the players feel that way.

Done with poker and this site for awhile, moving on to explore other interests.

What happened?
Skype me soon !

Wtf?

Good luck Jim, let me know where you are. Interested to know what has gone on (in a nosey kind of way!)

Hopefully see you around buddy.

Hello Jim!

I know you've been M.I.A for awhile.

Just want to wish you well with everything and hopefully see you back someday!

Originally posted by IvicaIliev77
What happened?
Skype me soon !

Haha - we never exchanged skype info (I don't think) or I probably would have... lol

What happened?
Let's just say that I let too many silly outside forces affect my mental game - for poker....
My mental game for life, on the other hand, has been rock solid and I'm happier now than I have been in years.

Originally posted by zachrina
Wtf?

Good luck Jim, let me know where you are. Interested to know what has gone on (in a nosey kind of way!)

Hopefully see you around buddy.

Thanks John - hope things are going great with you and the young family?

Originally posted by maythany
Hello Jim!

I know you've been M.I.A for awhile.

Just want to wish you well with everything and hopefully see you back someday!

Thanks maythany - things have been great. Hope all is well with you and school.

Hi Jim,

Hope you're well buddy. All good here but not much poker!

John

HOLY FUCK WELCOME BACK!

So... Yeah... It's been a little while

I've been on a bit of a break the past 2+ years... but I have been popping in here from time to time to see what's happening in the poker world and to catch up on the always thought-provoking IvicaIliev77's blog.

So why am I posting now after all this time?

For some reason, last week after watching some poker videos on youTube, I got the itch to play again.

I decided to update my HM2 software and was surprised that the version number hadn't increased by much... hmmm... I check out the news section of their website - no news updates since 2014... curious. I then went to the PokerTracker4 website and no news updates since 2014... Then I decided to go to the PokerStars website and no news updates since 2015... What the hell?!?! Did the Poker Industry really just give up when I quit? I'm so flattered...

Anyways, after updating my HM2 and PokerStars software, I sat down at my first table... I had been playing the $7 KO tables when I quit, but decided to start at the $1 KO games... after a couple of those I started remembering the basics again and decided to move up to the $3 KO games.

I'm not sure what my return to the tables means right now

I've only played a few games so far (traffic is horrible at the times I'm available to play) but it has been fun to think about poker again. I really did love working on ranges for different spots and opponents. It's weird to be playing knowing that I used to know so much more - what else have I forgotten? It could be fun to rediscover it. I'm not sure what my return to the tables means right now - maybe it's just a quick trip down memory lane or maybe it will turn in to a bit more serious hobby again. Who knows?

Games Played: 10
ROI: 26.9%
ITM Finishes: 40% (1/2/1)

Good luck at the tables!

Hey Jim,

Welcome back..... again

Nice to see you dipping your toes back in those shark infested waters

Keep it fun

Laz

Originally posted by Lazza61
Hey Jim,

Welcome back..... again

Nice to see you dipping your toes back in those shark infested waters

Keep it fun

Laz

Thanks Bud. (It's not my toes that I worry about though )

Played 3 more games today and finished ITM in all 3. I find the games much softer than a couple of years ago (but I am playing down a level).

I have my HUD up, but I haven't been using it because I am so out of practice. I don't even remember proper ranges. I've just been playing very basic position poker and it seems to be enough for now. I think I'd have to start reviewing my old ranges and session review notes before moving back up to the $7's - they used to have a lot more regs and I'd probably get my butt kicked going in cold.

I'm contemplating whether I want to stick with SnG's though or switch to cash games. I've always really liked SnG's, but by the time I get the kids to bed, the games are drying up. I might try to watch the micro beginner strategy and try those out.

...I guess it kinda sounds like I am getting back into poker... lol

August Stats
Games Played: 13
ROI: 58.0%
ITM Finishes: 54% (2/2/3)

I've been having fun playing a few games again, but I'm realising how much I miss the studying side of things too.

I'm considering getting ICMizer again. I've made enough the past couple of weeks to pay for the first month so it is tempting me a lot.
I'm also very intrigued to see what the SnG Coach component is like... has anyone tried it? Any feedback for me?

August Stats
Games Played: 18
ROI: 36.5%
ITM Finishes: 50% (3/2/4)

How to Guarantee Results

I had a great time enjoying the cottage with family and friends this weekend. That meant no poker, but I got a few games in after getting the kids to bed tonight.

Remember a couple posts back when I said this:

Originally posted by Ramble
I find the games much softer than a couple of years ago.

Well since then, I've been running through "entitlement tilt" and playing like shit... and getting results to match. I'm very glad it is happening now so I can deal with it - "Entitlement" or "Run-good" tilt was my biggest tilt issue before so I was expecting it to show up sooner or later. It's also one of my best opportunities to learn as it gives me lots of hands to review.

August Stats
Games Played: 23
ROI: 7.9%
ITM Finishes: 39% (3/2/4)

I'm really close to pulling the pin and getting icmizer again. When I had done the initial work building ranges a couple years ago, icmizer wasn't capable of accounting for the knock-out bounties. I had to account for the bounty dynamics on my own. Now that they've built a model for that, it should get me back up-to-speed a bit faster. I'm curious what the results will look like compared to my old ranges.

Solar Eclipse

Today there was a very cool partial solar eclipse (about 50%) where I live. There will be a total eclipse here in April, 2024 and I am already looking forward to experiencing that with my kids.

My play today was much better (I won't go so far as to say good), and I got it in with the better hand often but failed to hold up. It's becoming very clear though that my former skills have been ECLIPSED by the passage of time and my faded memory. I am not playing with confidence.

This is a VERY GOOD thing... It means it is study time!!!

Time to work on the basics again:

Bet-sizing
Opening ranges
Flat-calling ranges
3-Bet / Calling ranges
3-Bet / Folding ranges
Stealing and Defending Ranges
HU Nash ranges

August Stats
Games Played: 30
ROI: 0.89%
ITM Finishes: 40% (3/4/5)

Starting the climb over

Wow!!! I just pulled the trigger and got icmizer2 and did the placement test in SnG Coach... the results were HORRIBLE!
I'm pretty sure that I scored worse than random... and I don't think the questions were that tricky or close to be honest. I just forgot some basic fundamentals.

I'm really surprised how off the mark I am. I knew I was rusty after being away from the tables, but this really feels like starting over. Those that have read through this blog know that this will just fuel me to study and succeed even more...

Let's go!

Progress Update

I have been avoiding playing while working on some basic preliminary ranges. I think I've got the following to a good starting point for each position:

Opening ranges
Flat-calling ranges
3-Bet / Calling ranges
3-Bet / Folding ranges

I still need to work on the following:

Bet-sizing
Stealing and Defending strategies
HU Nash ranges

I'll probably continue to work on my ranges, strategies and study for the next few days and resume play next week.

It's the weekend!

No poker for the next few days as we're off to the cottage and no internet there.

I've been reading Prim's SnG blog, I'm a bit more than half-way through it now. Some interesting stuff from pages 3-10ish for sure, then a bunch of pages of debate on whether to focus on one game or another from her readers... interesting debate - but I'm not sure people were respecting that she is just doing her thing.

It made me think about my poker hobby. When I was playing before it was basically my only hobby and I devoted all my free time to it. That's not the case now. During my absence from poker I found a few other hobbies that Iove. So my return to poker will not be as ambitious as it was before.

My hobbies give me balance in my life - poker for study/analytical/data driven side of my brain. D&D for my creative, impulsive, high-level overview side of my brain. My family and friends for my emotional stimulation... etc...

Have a good weekend everyone.

Weekend Over...

I forgot to mention above another very important hobby - exercising. It's not something that I've ever really loved doing, but I do like how I feel afterwards. I've tried different types of exercise over the years and never really found that magical activity that I really enjoyed (i.e. gym, sports, running, etc...) so my current thing is a combination of treadmill, walking and the gym.

As for poker, I can check off bet-sizing and HU Nash ranges (still need to practice a bit)... just have stealing and defending strategies left to work on. Having said that, I think tomorrow I will just play a few games and see how my ranges seem to work in a very small test.

I plan on using the ICMizer 2 SnG Coach as part of my pre-game warm-up routine, I'm enjoying it so far.