If you have enough money for higher limit games why are you not staking me in $100/$200 .

In all seriousness I think you should pick a number (a long time ago for me it was $5000, and I know for iceman it was $10,000). We'll say $6000 (In my view enough to comfortably play $10/$20). Don't cashout anything until then. Then you simply go by week or month and take out X% of your winnings from that time period.

I.E.
Bankroll: $6000
You make $750 the next week. You cashout $500 and leave in $250 to keep building your bankroll.

You pick the number and percentages ahead of time.

This way you can slowly build your bankroll to eventually play higher limit games (which I imagine you wouldn't mind working up to) but also enjoy your winnings. If you are playing for the competetion of the game and not the money, there's certainly no rush to get up to bigger games, but on the flip side you will find it to be more of an intellectual battle to beat $30/$60 players than you will $3/$6 players. Certainly moving up in limits gives you some excitement and something to shoot for, I don't see the attraction in staying at one limit your whole life if you're not paying the bills with the money from it.

If you're not particularly desperate to turn pro, and as you have a decent job that has security (you're a chemist/pharmacist aren't you?) and don't overly 'need' the money, here are some suggestions,

Just keep on playing and moving up, though there is the issue you highlight, to what end? a bigger and bigger BR that you never spend?

Move up a couple of limits and once there withdraw half or all the winnings per month and put it into to some kind of trust fund for your kid, so that there's a very real incentive to win and keep on playing ( also reducing possible college fees further down the line!)

Save a certain % of monthly profit and use it toward an even better yearly holiday than you usually have.

I suppose it depends how interested you are in moving up in limits and playing higher, of course there is the thinking that the next few years will be the easiest you have for building the bankroll, and as pokers popularity wanes and there is less dead money, then the slower it will be to move up. Thus, give it a couple of years, see what the bankroll looks like and decide then.

Just some ideas.

Molina

I'm sort of in the same boat as you Tib, in that I have a very well paying job and don't really need to worry about losing my bankroll. Currently my bankroll is big enough to play as high as 5-10 but I still only play between 1-2 and 3-6 depending on mood/running well/etc.

It's hard to stay focused and play your best poker if you don't have goals. My initial goal was to win enough to allow me to play 100% of my poker on winnings. Done. Next I decided I wanted one of those Dell 2001FP monitors. Done. After that it was a laptop for the wife. Done. My next goal is to fund a 5-day all inclusive trip to Cozumel this spring for me and the wife . That's what currently has me playing.

I also very much like Pier's advice about using some of your excess to take occasional shots at higher limit games. I think long-term that's probably what I'll end up doing...that and continuing to fund toys and trips for the wife and me.

I appreciate all the feedback on my question. I kinda think that Piers' idea (and everybody else's ideas) are correct. I'm planning on turning semi-pro in that I'm actually going to take profits, but still building enough of an online bankroll to take a shot at the 10/20 game.

I'll be playing live in the 10/20 and maybe as high as 15/30, but I think with everything in my life as it is now, that semi-pro is the way to go.

Tonight's Session:
5/10 LHE, 73 hands: +$236 (1 hr.)

Played a bit last night, and some more this morning--not a bad little haul.

Last night:
5/10 LHE: +$54, 81 hands, 1h 31m

Today:
$25 PLO: +$19.85, 25 hands
5/10 LHE: +$72.50, 155 hands (up as much as $220)

Some hands from today's session:

1) This is why you shouldn't slowplay TPTK...
PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, 2 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (6 SB) , , (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, UTG+1 folds, MP2 folds, MP3 calls, SB calls, BB folds.

Turn: (4.50 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, MP3 calls, SB calls.

River: (7.50 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, MP3 calls, SB folds.

Final Pot: 9.50 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Ac 9c (two pair, aces and nines).
MP3 has Kh Ad (two pair, aces and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins 9.50 BB.

Here's a loose blind defense. Kids, don't try to defend your blind to an UTG raise, especially not to an UTG raise by a TA player:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises, 6 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls.

Flop: (6.40 SB) , , (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button calls, BB calls.

Turn: (4.70 BB) (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button folds, BB raises, Hero calls.

River: (8.70 BB) (2 players)
BB bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.70 BB

Results in white below:
BB has 5c 6c (two pair, sixes and fives).
Hero has Qh Qc (one pair, queens).
Outcome: BB wins 10.70 BB.

Even though this guy outflopped me, don't do this. You'll bust.

Now this? I followed this guy around like a puppy. He busted out, reloaded, busted out, reloaded, busted out AGAIN. Then he finally gave up? Why was he so bad?
I give you exhibit A:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls, UTG+1 calls, 6 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (4 SB) , , (4 players)
SB bets, BB calls, Hero calls, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: (4 BB) (4 players)
SB bets, BB calls, Hero raises, UTG+1 folds, SB calls $5 (All-In), BB calls.

River: (9.50 BB) (3 players, 1 all-in)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB folds.

Final Pot: 10.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has Qc Td (two pair, queens and sevens).
Hero has Ah Ts (two pair, aces and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins 10.50 BB.

Overall 2 day total:

+$146.35, 261 hands...

Enjoy folks, and best of luck at the tables...

Week total: $604.35, 7 hrs 12 minutes ($83.94/hour)

Couldn't sleep tonight, so I banged out a quick one. Pretty solid overall, though I was facing one of the coldest Omaha decks in history.

But don't cry for me BTPers, because the Holdem tables continue to be my personal playground.

This guy got what he deserved--call MY raise with 76o?

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
4 folds, MP3 calls, CO calls, Hero raises, SB calls, 1 fold, MP3 calls, CO folds.

Flop: (8 SB) , , (3 players)
SB checks, MP3 bets, Hero raises, SB folds, MP3 calls.

Turn: (6 BB) (2 players)
MP3 bets, Hero raises, MP3 3-bets, Hero calls.

River: (12 BB) (2 players)
MP3 bets, Hero raises, MP3 calls.

Final Pot: 16 BB

Results in white below:
MP3 has 6s 7h (straight, ten high).
Hero has Kd Ad (flush, ace high).
Outcome: Hero wins 16 BB.

This nitwit bought into a 5/10 game with $1200. He left this hand a bit lighter in the wallet. TPTK? Naah.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (7 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
2 folds, MP2 raises, 1 fold, Button calls, Hero 3-bets, 1 fold, MP2 calls, Button calls.

Flop: (10 SB) , , (3 players)
Hero bets, MP2 folds, Button raises, Hero 3-bets, Button caps, Hero calls.

Turn: (9 BB) (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero calls.

River: (11 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, Button calls.

Final Pot: 13 BB

Results in white below:
Button has Td Ah (one pair, tens).
Hero has Qd Qs (one pair, queens).
Outcome: Hero wins 13 BB.

Overall, a nice start to the week.
$25 PLO--84 hands, -$25 (all-in set over set)
5/10 LHE: 98 hands, +$197.50, 1h 19m.
Overall: +$172.50

Another quick session tonight--got in some hands while the wife was at the gym. You know, maybe I should go to the gym a bit too. I'm sitting at 230, 6'2", and I'm developing a secretary spread from my job and from sitting here playing poker.

I don't think a little exercise would kill me.

Tonight's Session?
5/10 LHE: 47 hands, +$105, 41m

Tonight the bubble burst a bit.

This is me, running 3rd in a 3 horse race. Keep in mind that the BB called 2 cold with T5s, and UTG+2 capped with JJ pre-flop. When I got raised on the flop, I had to go into check-call mode. What I should've done was lay down my cowboys. Naah. I'd rather donk off $25 more than I should've.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 raises, UTG+2 calls, 5 folds, Hero 3-bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 caps, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.

Flop: (16 SB) , , (4 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 raises, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: (12 BB) (4 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 bets, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.

[b]River: (16 BB) (4 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 bets, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.

Final Pot: 20 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Kc Ks (one pair, kings).
BB has Td 5d (flush, ace high).
UTG+1 has Qh As (one pair, aces).
UTG+2 has Jh Jd (three of a kind, jacks).
Outcome: BB wins 20 BB.

Overplayed my TPTK--but this flush was hit by the SAME guy who hit the above flush.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 1 fold, MP1 calls, 2 folds, CO calls, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, BB calls, UTG+1 folds, MP1 calls, CO folds, Hero calls.

Flop: (14 SB) , , (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB calls, MP1 calls.

Turn: (9 BB) (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, SB raises, BB calls, MP1 folds, Hero calls.

River: (15 BB) (3 players)
SB bets, BB folds, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 17 BB

Results in white below:
SB has As Qs (flush, ace high).
Hero has Kc Ad (one pair, kings).
Outcome: SB wins 17 BB.

Two hands later, he hits ANOTHER flush...beating my flopped set that I went all-in with. Again, I finished 3rd in a 3-horse race when I'm WAY ahead on the flop.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
5 folds, Hero calls, CO calls, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (4 SB) , , (4 players)
SB bets, BB calls, Hero raises, CO calls, SB calls, BB calls.

Turn: (6 BB) (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, CO calls, SB folds, BB raises, Hero calls $4 (All-In), CO calls.

River: (11.40 BB) (3 players, 1 all-in)
BB bets, CO calls.

Final Pot: 13.40 BB

Results in white below:
BB has 8s 6s (straight, six high).
Hero has 4d 4s (three of a kind, fours).
CO has Tc Jc (flush, jack high).
Outcome: CO wins 13.40 BB.

Again, not bad beats--bad luck. The streak was bound to end sometime.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, MP1 calls, 1 fold, Hero raises, 4 folds, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, MP1 calls.

Flop: (9.40 SB) , , (4 players)
UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 calls, MP1 raises, Hero 3-bets, UTG+2 calls, MP1 caps, Hero calls, UTG+2 calls.

Turn: (10.70 BB) (3 players)
UTG+2 checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, UTG+2 calls, MP1 calls.

River: (13.70 BB) (3 players)
UTG+2 checks, MP1 bets, Hero raises, UTG+2 folds, MP1 calls $2 (All-In).

Final Pot: 16.90 BB

Results in white below:
MP1 has 9d 9h (full house, nines full of tens).
Hero has Jh Jc (two pair, jacks and tens).
Outcome: MP1 wins 16.10 BB. Hero wins 0.80 BB.

Then of course, there's hands like this that make you want to scream. It was the right play, but it still pisses you off.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
2 folds, UTG+2 calls, MP1 raises, MP2 3-bets, 5 folds, UTG+2 folds, MP1 calls.

Flop: (8.40 SB) , , (2 players)
MP1 bets, MP2 calls.

Turn: (5.20 BB) (2 players)
MP1 bets, MP2 calls.

River: (7.20 BB) (2 players)
MP1 bets, MP2 calls.

Final Pot: 9.20 BB

Results in white below:
MP1 has Qc Qd (two pair, queens and sevens).
MP2 has Ac Jd (one pair, sevens).
Outcome: MP1 wins 9.20 BB.

Again, the right play preflop, but...

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (8 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls, MP2 raises, 3 folds, BB calls, MP1 calls.

Flop: (6.40 SB) , , (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, MP2 bets, BB folds, MP1 calls.

Turn: (4.20 BB) (2 players)
MP1 checks, MP2 bets, MP1 folds.

Final Pot: 5.20 BB

Results in white below:
No showdown. MP2 wins 5.20 BB.

Tonight's Carnage:
$25 PLO: 75 hands, -$13.75
5/10 LHE: 159 hands, -$287.00
Overall: -$300.75

Boy, that sucked. in the holdem session, my VP$IP was around 15%, with a PFA of >4. Of course, I lose.

I busted out of one table, losing $200 in 35 hands!! It's a bad night when KK, AK twice, and a flopped set of 4s lose you a total of $174--in 4 hands. Good time to put the 'puter away, don't ya think? Till next time!

Took my first "semi-pro" cashout, not to clear any expenses, just to toss into the savings account for, shall we say, "other needs." Played a little this AM, mainly since the wife woke me up at 5:30--long story, but let's just say wife+baby=snoring.

I won a few BB specials, flopping a set once and turning another, but didn't really make headway one way or the other.

Don't know if I overplayed my TPTK, but this river raise made me feel sick. I knew I was beat, but made the crying call anyway. MP2 was 24/1/0.34--I should've known.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , . CO posts a blind of $7.
3 folds, MP2 calls, Hero raises, 4 folds, MP2 calls.

Flop: (6.80 SB) , , (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets, MP2 calls.

Turn: (4.40 BB) (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets, MP2 calls.

River: (6.40 BB) (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets, MP2 raises, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.40 BB

Results in white below:
MP2 has Ad Tc (straight, ace high).
Hero has Ac Qs (one pair, queens).
Outcome: MP2 wins 10.40 BB.

Another hand--nothing here but a cold deck:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
4 folds, MP2 raises, 2 folds, Hero 3-bets, 2 folds, MP2 calls.

Flop: (7.40 SB) , , (2 players)
MP2 bets, Hero raises, MP2 calls.

Turn: (5.70 BB) (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets, MP2 calls.

River: (7.70 BB) (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets, MP2 calls.

Final Pot: 9.70 BB

Results in white below:
MP2 has Qd Qc (one pair, queens).
Hero has Js Jd (one pair, jacks).
Outcome: MP2 wins 9.70 BB.

Overall, a down session, but at least I didn't lose as much as on Wednesday night:

Figured I play some PLO when the 5/10 game broke up, and ran into this:

PokerStars Pot-Limit Omaha High, $0.25 BB (8 handed)

MP2 ($13.80)
Hero ($23.75)
Button ($21.30)
SB ($0.90)
BB ($6.85)
UTG ($15.35)
UTG+1 ($34.90)
MP1 ($27.95)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , , , .
UTG calls $0.25, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, 1 fold, SB raises to $0.9, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.65, UTG+1 calls $0.65, MP2 calls $0.65, Hero calls $0.65.

Flop: ($4.75) , , (5 players)
UTG bets $1, UTG+1 folds, MP2 folds, Hero raises to $3.25, UTG calls $2.25.

Turn: ($11.25) (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $4.6, UTG calls $4.60.

River: ($20.45) (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: $20.45

Results in white below:
SB has Qh Qc Ac 7d (one pair, queens).
UTG has Tc As 3d 5s (two pair, tens and fives).

Outcome: UTG wins $20.45.

Again, 3rd in a 3 horse race. But, would anyone not raise that flop with TPTK + straight draw + flush draw?

5/10 LHE: 80 hands, -$18.00, 50m
$25 PLO: 26 hands, -$10.05
$25 PLO8B: 23 hands, -$25
Total for another despicable session: -$53.05

Clear my head, come back stronger...

Got back onto the positive side of the ledger today, playing solid ABC poker. I only lost more than 1 BB on one hand, and it was a toughie.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
1 fold, Hero raises, 3 folds, CO 3-bets, 3 folds, Hero caps, CO calls.

Flop: (9.40 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero bets, CO calls.

Turn: (5.70 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, CO raises, Hero calls.

River: (9.70 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, CO raises, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 13.70 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Qd Qc (full house, threes full of queens).
CO has Ah Ad (full house, threes full of aces).
Outcome: CO wins 13.70 BB.

Second time I ran a big pair into AA this week, and I really should've played it better. I have no reason to believe I'm behind on the flop, especially against a player who is 32/11/1.25. The turn raise made me wonder about TT, but I just couldn't lay it down.

Regardless, I played well enough to net a decent win.

5/10 LHE: 74 hands, +$74

Net for week:
5/10 LHE: +$71.50, 459 hands, 5hr, 52m
$25 PLO: -$48.80
$25 PLO8B: -$25.00
Total: -$2.30 (poo)

I'm just glad to be on the positive side of the ledger again. Off to next week! Tally ho BTPers!

Logged a solid winning session tonight. Played solid, endured some whopper beats, won a whopper pot (see Limit forum), and logged an overall win, first in a little while.

This hand is a classic BB special hand, but did he really need to call it down to the river? He was getting 4.4 to 1 on the flop and 4.2 to 1 on the turn. He hits his gutter on the river with the card that also happened to give me top 2 pair. This, BTW, was the guy with the 3's that I victimized on the monster hand.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
6 folds, Hero calls, 2 folds, BB checks.

Flop: (2.40 SB) , , (2 players)
BB bets, Hero raises, BB calls.

Turn: (3.20 BB) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB calls.

River: (5.20 BB) (2 players)
BB bets, Hero raises, BB calls.

Final Pot: 9.20 BB

Results in white below:
BB has 9d Qh (straight, king high).
Hero has Js Td (two pair, jacks and tens).
Outcome: BB wins 9.20 BB.

Same table, before--sometimes a little luck on the flop never hurt. It's why TT is vulnerable.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
3 folds, Hero calls, MP2 raises, MP3 calls, 2 folds, SB calls, BB calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (10 SB) , , (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, MP2 folds, MP3 calls, SB calls, BB calls.

Turn: (7 BB) (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, MP3 folds, SB calls, BB calls.

River: (10 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB folds.

Final Pot: 12 BB

Results in white below:
SB has Td Ts (two pair, tens and sevens).
Hero has Js Qh (two pair, queens and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins 12 BB.

My own little BB special. Gotta love it--also, exhibit B on why TT is a vulnerable hand.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (8 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
UTG calls, 2 folds, MP2 calls, CO calls, 2 folds, Hero checks.

Flop: (4.40 SB) , , (4 players)
Hero bets, UTG calls, MP2 folds, CO calls.

Turn: (3.70 BB) (3 players)
Hero bets, UTG folds, CO calls.

River: (5.70 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, CO calls.

Final Pot: 7.70 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Jc 7c (two pair, jacks and nines).
CO has Th Ts (two pair, tens and nines).
Outcome: Hero wins 7.70 BB.

Got beat set over top two pair THREE times tonight. Here's one...

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls, 1 fold, MP1 calls, 4 folds, SB raises, 1 fold, Hero calls, MP1 calls.

Flop: (7 SB) , , (3 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, MP1 folds, SB 3-bets, Hero calls.

Turn: (6.50 BB) (2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, Hero calls.

River: (12.50 BB) (2 players)
SB bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 14.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has Jh Jc (three of a kind, jacks).
Hero has 8h Ah (two pair, aces and eights).
Outcome: SB wins 14.50 BB.

Can't win 'em all. Take a look at the limit section for the monster 33.9 BB pot that really gave me an overall win for the night.

5/10 LHE: 267 hands, 2h 37m, +$144.50

The grind continues. Good luck all.

Couldn't sleep, so banged out another quickie, and another winning session.

You know you're firing on all cylinders when you only lose more than a small bet on one hand. I tried to knock this guy off the hand, but folded under the pressure...

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (6 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises, 2 folds, Button calls, 2 folds.

Flop: (5.40 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero bets, Button raises, Hero calls.

Turn: (4.70 BB) (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero folds.

Final Pot: 5.70 BB

Results in white below:
No showdown. Button wins 5.70 BB.

I had him on a draw, or maybe a pair of queens with the draw. I led out, he raised and I insta-called. I probably should've 3-bet the flop if I wanted it to be effective. Then the check-fold on the turn is the best play. I raised UTG with A9 because raises were stealing the blinds, and 6-handed, it can be very strong (especially once an ace flops).

That was the only hand I lost in the session. A success, especially for someone who has been searching for success for the last week or so.

5/10 LHE: 54 hands, 36m, +$125.00

Total WTD: +$269.50, 322 hands, 3h 13m ($84.05/hr)

Dude!

You oughta post all your ramblings from your blog in your journal. Not necessarily to the same exhaustive extent with graphs and all that, but alot of its pretty good!

And by the way, your $27/hr playing 5/10- whats that in bbs/100? And how bigs your sample size? Are you a long term 3b/100+ winner? If so, not bad! You definitely oughta consider goin semi-pro like you were sayin, and / or gettin staked in the bigger games.