This is my 1st journal entry so bear with me. I've been playing poker now for over 5 years, but I'm not the typical 5 year player. I'm not in my 20's. I'm not in college. I'm over 40 and a professional in my real job. Unfortunately (and it pains me to type it) I'm also a depositing donk. Like most donks, I don't know why or how I'm a donk. But from the number of deposits I've made on the many online sites that I've played, I've come to the conclusion that I'm a complete donk.

I've been roaming around the forum here on BTP and there's a lot of good information here. I've read a lot of the NLHE posts and even several of the other journals. I just don't seem to get it. I (apparently only think) play a TAG game. I have winning sessions. But I inevitabley follow them up with big losing sessions. Many of these losing sessions, I suffer a couple of big bad beats or coolers. Others, I simply played like a retard on crack. But I simply don't understand why I can't seem to accomplish much in the long run online.

I play some live games and tournaments. Live games ($1-$2 NL) I tend to be a small winner. I'll run into long stretches of cold cards. Live tournaments is where I'm most successful. I've cashed in 40%+ over the last couple of years. I've gone through stretches where that number is over 50%.

So here I am at BTP. I'm going to try to build a small bankroll into something that is respectable. I've got $50 on Stars which in itself would limit my starting level below where I feel comfortable starting. I just can't get excited about a $2 win and think I'm doing well. That's one of my problems.....playing levels that are more than my bankroll allows for. The inevitable variance kills me. So...

I plan to start on the .05/.10 NL tables until I reach $500. I'll mix it up a little by playing some SnG's for value. I've built my bankroll this way in the past. I'll try to stick to the 20BI rule of thumb and grind my way up.

Any comments or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Joining BTP and reading the posts in Bankroll Management section really helped me understand the importance of the roll... It's fundamental to everything you do in poker..

Welcome and good luck on your quest.

I am officially the worst $50NL player on this site currently, so please feel free if you need any additional information on how to go broke.

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

As others have hinted, with a bankroll of $50 you really ought to play tables with a $5 buyin at the maximum. I understand its replaceable and not a significant amount of money for a full time working professional, however its best to start good bankroll habits early and stick to it.

Best things to do early to improve your game:

1) Get poker tracker, log 10k hands and post your stats on the forums, any obvious leaks will no doubt be pointed out

2) Don't bluff at the micro limits

3) Post any hands you are unsure about in the appropriate forum

4) Don't bluff at the micro limits

5) Read everything here:

6) Did I mention never bluffing at the micro limits?

Running about par for the coarse for me. Here's an example of my play. I was absolutely surprised by this hand.

Blinds: $0.05/$0.10
8 players


Stack sizes:
davega: $10.95
UTG+1: $10.55
MP1: $9.20
MP2: $35.15
CO: $14.10
Button: $8.95
SB: $18.15
BB: $10

Pre-flop: (8 players) davega is UTG with
davega raises to $0.4, 3 folds, CO calls, 2 folds, BB calls.

Flop: ($1.25, 3 players)
BB checks, davega bets $1.1, CO folds, BB calls.

Turn: ($3.45, 2 players)
BB checks, davega bets $5, BB raises all-in $8.5, davega calls.

River: ($20.45, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $20.45)


Results:
Final pot: $20.45

Showdown result: Davega- full house 5's over kings
BB-shows 53c for quad 5's

I really thought we were going to split this pot.

I guess I'm slow. After reading several of the journals here on BTP, I decided that I needed to play 6 man NL rather than full ring games. I started this afternoon. After one afternoon, I believe that I'm converted. Somebody wrote about not being able to play tight enough for full games, maybe that was my problem

After 1200+ multitabling hands, I'm up $15.90. I suffered a couple of coolers (KK vs AA) but overall my play was much better. I also played in the VIP freeroll on Stars and cashed for $8. So after dinner, I'll be back at it.

Current bankroll= $73.59

I just finished for the night. Not bad. I started playing on the 6max NL tables today. I had decent results, I guess. After dinner I grew my BR $11.40 to $84.99. No real good or bad hands to post. Won with AA and folded 7-2 and played correctly in between.

I also played in a $1MTT and got 9th for an additional $23.50. I played one hand poorly on a double belly buster draw. I checked along and let my opponent catch on the river. Overall I played the tourney well though.

Done playing for the night. I'll read some posts and look over pokertracker stats to see leaks.

I don't really know what stats everybody posts so if somebody can tell me I'll post them.

Current bankroll= $108.49