ummmm who also told you to move down limits

Tuesday, January 02, 2007


Bring on 2007
Current mood: hopeful

I don't have any new year resolutions for poker, but I do have some very achievable goals. I'm thinking my lack of goals toward the end of the year hurt me a lot, so now it's time to put it all out there.

In order of importance:

1. Good Money Management

I never thought I would manage my money badly but I really blew it this year. Between buying friend's lap dances (and other things) and just trying to enjoy myself, I spent money as if it were on fire in my hand. This is why my bankroll is in dire straights now and I've had to move down. This won't happen again.

2. 5/10 (over-rolled) or 10/20

After much debate within myself and with friends and family, I've decided to stay a high stakes pro for a year or two (depending on the poker boom's longevity.)

I want to be overrolled for 5/10, possibly playing 10/20 reguarly. I already know I can beat both games from prior experience. As long as I work at it this year, this is not far from my grasp.

3. Add $50,000 to my bankroll by the end of the year.

With the aforementioned good money management I should be able to pad my roll significantly. More money means more buyins and a lot less stress. This number could go a lot higher.

4. More Focus and More Hours

Since I've finally come to the conclusion that I'm going to continue as a professional poker player; I need to work. More study time, more hours. I need to take my job seriously and stop fooling around. I was watching an interview with Steve Nash (I'm a huge suns fan) and he thinks other players would be better than him if they put in the practice time he does. He works harder than everyone else on the court. I should emulate that work ethic.



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I've decided to forgo the goals of going to a WPT event and such. My cash game skills and bankroll are more important than trying to reach a pipe dream (for this year anyway.)

As for 2006:

If someone told me 4 years ago I would make this much money (in any job), I would have considered it a success. By breaking even the last 4 months of the year, however, I failed on all my short-term hopes.

I can't complain. I view the year as an overall success coated with a plethora of mistakes. The important thing is to not make them again. I won't.

I have an optomistic feeling I will go far in 2007. I need to capitalize on my knowledge of past blunders and take the new year by force.

I could accomplish my dreams.