Ok, some boring poker info. Cleared $90 bonus at interpoker and $200 bonus on eurobet. I pretty much broke even recently clearing the eurobet bonus but up 90 overall. Plus, I've been killing the 1/2 7 stud game at interpoker, much more than the bonus. Here are a few hands recently. I was hitting everything in my last session that was +$140.

Some examples.

Game #1300104573: 7 Card FL ($1/$2) - 2005/11/11 - 21:41:32 (ET)
Table "Adria"
Seat 1: lrjake ($37.75 in chips)
Seat 2: scooterb1 ($55.01 in chips)
Seat 3: zadtso ($125.09 in chips)
Seat 4: Will21026 ($29.25 in chips)
Seat 5: briachek ($121.25 in chips)
Seat 6: lclee ($197 in chips)
Seat 7: Jackazzy ($61.85 in chips)
Seat 8: Nisbet ($49.50 in chips)
briachek: posts the ante $0.25
zadtso: posts the ante $0.25
scooterb1: posts the ante $0.25
lclee: posts the ante $0.25
lrjake: posts the ante $0.25
Jackazzy: posts the ante $0.25
Will21026: posts the ante $0.25
Nisbet: posts the ante $0.25
----- 3rd STREET -----
dealt to lrjake
dealt to scooterb1
dealt to zadtso
dealt to Will21026
dealt to briachek [8s 8c 7c]
dealt to lclee
dealt to Jackazzy
dealt to Nisbet
briachek: brings-in $0.50
lclee: folds
Jackazzy: calls $0.50
Nisbet: calls $0.50
lrjake: calls $0.50
scooterb1: folds
zadtso: calls $0.50
Will21026: folds
----- 4th STREET -----
dealt to lrjake [Th]
dealt to zadtso [6s]
dealt to briachek [8s 8c 7c][8d]
dealt to Jackazzy [Ah]
dealt to Nisbet [6h]
Jackazzy: bets $1
Nisbet: calls $1
lrjake: calls $1
zadtso: calls $1
briachek: raises $2
Jackazzy: calls $1
Nisbet: calls $1
lrjake: calls $1
zadtso: calls $1
----- 5th STREET -----
dealt to lrjake [Qh Th][Js]
dealt to zadtso [7d 6s][9s]
dealt to briachek [8s 8c 7c 8d][9h]
dealt to Jackazzy [Tc Ah][Jd]
dealt to Nisbet [Qs 6h][4h]
Jackazzy: bets $2
Nisbet: folds
lrjake: calls $2
zadtso: calls $2
briachek: raises $4
Jackazzy: calls $2
lrjake: calls $2
zadtso: calls $2
----- 6th STREET -----
dealt to lrjake [Qh Th Js][Jh]
dealt to zadtso [7d 6s 9s][4d]
dealt to briachek [8s 8c 7c 8d 9h][2c]
dealt to Jackazzy [Tc Ah Jd][7h]
lrjake: checks
zadtso: checks
briachek: bets $2
Jackazzy: calls $2
lrjake: calls $2
zadtso: calls $2
----- RIVER -----
dealt to briachek [8s 8c 7c 8d 9h 2c][2h]
lrjake: bets $2
zadtso: folds
briachek: raises $4
Jackazzy: folds
lrjake: calls $2
----- SHOW DOWN -----
briachek: shows [8s 8c 8d 2c 2h 9h 7c] (A Full House, Eights full of Twos)
lrjake: mucks hand
briachek collected $44.25 from Main pot


Game #1300376603: 7 Card FL ($1/$2) - 2005/11/11 - 22:41:10 (ET)
Table "Abilen"
Seat 1: briachek ($93.25 in chips)
Seat 2: hansa99 ($41.50 in chips)
Seat 3: sofabord ($17.80 in chips)
Seat 4: Bebert001 ($31.75 in chips)
Seat 5: TTIME ($114.50 in chips)
Seat 6: vidasa1 ($7 in chips)
Seat 7: irnside ($62.50 in chips)
Seat 8: Bigjock00 ($150.68 in chips)
briachek: posts the ante $0.25
irnside: posts the ante $0.25
vidasa1: posts the ante $0.25
sofabord: posts the ante $0.25
hansa99: posts the ante $0.25
Bebert001: posts the ante $0.25
TTIME: posts the ante $0.25
Bigjock00: posts the ante $0.25
----- 3rd STREET -----
dealt to briachek [8h 7h Qh]
dealt to hansa99
dealt to sofabord
dealt to Bebert001
dealt to TTIME
dealt to vidasa1
dealt to irnside
dealt to Bigjock00
Bebert001: brings-in $0.50
TTIME: folds
vidasa1: calls $0.50
irnside: folds
Bigjock00: folds
briachek: calls $0.50
hansa99: calls $0.50
sofabord: calls $0.50
----- 4th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [8h 7h Qh][As]
dealt to hansa99 [4h]
dealt to sofabord [2d]
dealt to Bebert001 [Ah]
dealt to vidasa1 [Jc]
briachek: bets $1
hansa99: folds
sofabord: calls $1
Bebert001: calls $1
vidasa1: calls $1
----- 5th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [8h 7h Qh As][Ac]
dealt to sofabord [7c 2d][5s]
dealt to Bebert001 [3c Ah][2c]
dealt to vidasa1 [7d Jc][Ts]
briachek: bets $2
sofabord: folds
sofabord sits out
Bebert001: calls $2
vidasa1: raises $4
briachek: calls $2
Bebert001: folds
----- 6th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [8h 7h Qh As Ac][9c]
dealt to vidasa1 [7d Jc Ts][5d]
briachek: checks
vidasa1: checks
----- RIVER -----
dealt to briachek [8h 7h Qh As Ac 9c][4s]
briachek: checks
vidasa1: bets $1.25 and is all-in
briachek: calls $1.25
----- SHOW DOWN -----
vidasa1: shows [Td Ts Kh Jc 8s 7d 5d] (A Pair of Tens, King high)
briachek: shows [As Ac Qh 9c 8h 7h 4s] (A Pair of Aces, Queen high)
briachek collected $20 from Main pot

Game #1300433903: 7 Card FL ($1/$2) - 2005/11/11 - 22:54:16 (ET)
Table "Abilen"
Seat 1: briachek ($103.50 in chips)
Seat 2: Lordelpus ($72.75 in chips)
Seat 3: climmp ($75 in chips)
Seat 4: Bebert001 sits out
Seat 5: TTIME ($113.75 in chips)
Seat 6: sk022 ($44 in chips)
Seat 7: irnside ($61.75 in chips)
Seat 8: Bigjock00 ($184.68 in chips)
Lordelpus: posts the ante $0.25
irnside: posts the ante $0.25
briachek: posts the ante $0.25
TTIME: posts the ante $0.25
climmp: posts the ante $0.25
sk022: posts the ante $0.25
Bigjock00: posts the ante $0.25
----- 3rd STREET -----
dealt to briachek [Qd 8d 3d]
dealt to Lordelpus
dealt to climmp
dealt to TTIME
dealt to sk022
dealt to irnside
dealt to Bigjock00
briachek: brings-in $0.50
Lordelpus: folds
climmp: calls $0.50
TTIME: folds
sk022: calls $0.50
irnside: calls $0.50
Bigjock00: calls $0.50
----- 4th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [Qd 8d 3d][2d]
dealt to climmp [As]
dealt to sk022 [Th]
dealt to irnside [7c]
dealt to Bigjock00 [Kh]
Bigjock00: bets $1
briachek: calls $1
climmp: calls $1
sk022: calls $1
irnside: folds
----- 5th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [Qd 8d 3d 2d][6c]
dealt to climmp [4s As][9c]
dealt to sk022 [Qh Th][5s]
dealt to Bigjock00 [Ad Kh][2s]
Bigjock00: checks
briachek: checks
climmp: bets $2
sk022: calls $2
Bigjock00: calls $2
briachek: calls $2
----- 6th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [Qd 8d 3d 2d 6c][7d]
dealt to climmp [4s As 9c][3c]
dealt to sk022 [Qh Th 5s][5c]
dealt to Bigjock00 [Ad Kh 2s][2h]
sk022: checks
Bigjock00: bets $2
briachek: raises $4
climmp: raises $6
sk022: calls $6
Bigjock00: calls $4
briachek: raises $4
climmp: calls $2
sk022: calls $2
Bigjock00: calls $2
----- RIVER -----
dealt to briachek [Qd 8d 3d 2d 6c 7d][9s]
sk022: checks
Bigjock00: checks
briachek: bets $2
climmp: raises $4
sk022: folds
Bigjock00: calls $4
briachek: calls $2
----- SHOW DOWN -----
climmp: shows [9d 9h 9c As Ks 4s 3c] (Three of a kind, Nines, Ace high)
Bigjock00: mucks hand
briachek: shows [2d 3d 7d 8d Qd 9s 6c] (A Flush, Queen high)
briachek collected $57.25 from Main pot

Game #1300592043: 7 Card FL ($1/$2) - 2005/11/11 - 23:27:05 (ET)
Table "Adria"
Seat 1: Endies ($57.50 in chips)
Seat 2: climmp ($41.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Poolpro1 ($49.19 in chips)
Seat 4: GLEEPER ($21.50 in chips)
Seat 5: briachek ($86.75 in chips)
Seat 6: dominoe ($52.50 in chips)
Seat 7: tallentm ($22 in chips)
Seat 8: Bebert001 ($32.50 in chips)
briachek: posts the ante $0.25
GLEEPER: posts the ante $0.25
tallentm: posts the ante $0.25
dominoe: posts the ante $0.25
Endies: posts the ante $0.25
climmp: posts the ante $0.25
Poolpro1: posts the ante $0.25
Bebert001: posts the ante $0.25
----- 3rd STREET -----
dealt to Endies
dealt to climmp
dealt to Poolpro1
dealt to GLEEPER
dealt to briachek [9c 8d Jd]
dealt to dominoe
dealt to tallentm
dealt to Bebert001
tallentm: brings-in $0.50
Bebert001: calls $0.50
Endies: folds
climmp: folds
Poolpro1: folds
GLEEPER: folds
briachek: raises $1
dominoe: folds
tallentm: folds
Bebert001: calls $0.50
----- 4th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [9c 8d Jd][Ts]
dealt to Bebert001 [As]
Bebert001: checks
briachek: bets $1
Bebert001: calls $1
----- 5th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [9c 8d Jd Ts][2d]
dealt to Bebert001 [8h As][Ks]
Bebert001: checks
briachek: bets $2
Bebert001: raises $4
briachek: calls $2
----- 6th STREET -----
dealt to briachek [9c 8d Jd Ts 2d][5d]
dealt to Bebert001 [8h As Ks][3c]
Bebert001: bets $2
briachek: calls $2
----- RIVER -----
dealt to briachek [9c 8d Jd Ts 2d 5d][3d]
Bebert001: checks
briachek: bets $2
Bebert001: calls $2
----- SHOW DOWN -----
briachek: shows [2d 3d 5d 8d Jd Ts 9c] (A Flush, Jack high)
Bebert001: mucks hand
briachek collected $21.50 from Main pot

I will try to give an entertaining story once something interesting actually happens in my life.

So a lesbian walked into a strip club......... Ok I have no life too. Oh well

A boring day of PLO25. Basically broke even playing on empire getting about 400 hands in of the 1000 raked hands for the bonus. I was up nicely early but lost top set to straight and flush draw and it was a struggle after that.

So after finishing 4th in the BTP WCOOP PLHE event yesterday, the bubble, I won the limit O8 even today. I was heads up with Piers and it was a maniacal display on both end. Pretty much every hand had either a check raise, 3 bet or cap. I think I played well and did suck out a few times. He did suck out too but I think I got one or two on him. Overall I think I played very well and had a good read on a lot of situations. I don't really play the game a lot but I have a good grip on the game overall, IMO. Luckily, we had a couple people who this game is new too (had to explain to Kenny what a Lo is - poke pro huh? ) and I hit some cards when I needed.

So the month is almost half over and I haven't really put in THAT much time and I have made over $700 which puts me on pace for the same type of month as the last two which would be nice. However, this has been so far with a very low winrate at PLO on the rocky sites earning bonus. I'm making less than $4 an hour doing it but have a nice winrate for the month. I guess its the money made from 7 card stud and of course bonus.

so, i've been contemplating my actual future as a poker pro and its still cloudy but after the last couple month, I feel I can consistently put in the hours if I want but I need to move up in limit to really get in the money I need consistently. With the money I make at the part time job and the months i've had recently, I make enough to pay all bills and incidentals with some savings. Not too bad.

First, as for my part time job, I don't see the reason to get rid of it since its so easy and stress free that I would be stupid not to keep it as long as I can. However, its possible that the job structure might change. I work in an land appraisal office and what I basically do is find the information for the property and put the basic information into a report template where he then takes it and does his analysis and finishes it. I put the final touches on it when needed and print out however many he needs. I also do other random things around the office but as you can see, fairly easy job. In the past, he tried to have me only come into the office when he needs it when he gets a new job and I get paid on a per job basis. We did this for a month and I only got 1 jot and lost most of my months pay but barely worked too. It sucked for both of us because he didn't realize all the little things I do that he would then have to do and waste so much of his time.

That brings me to what might be happening. He may get a new job and do the appraisal on the side, still getting almost as many jobs and wanted to go back to that arrangement since he won't be working in the office anymore. I told him that I will have a hard time going to that schedule as that would be another inconsistent cash flow so he agree to pay me the same way, 20 hours a week, but I wouldn't come into the office! I work at home and I can go into the office when needed because I'm sure that won't be a problem but I still get the same pay whether I do work or not (like what I do now) but now I don't even have to go there unless i need to. How cool is that? So, I can actually play poker during the hours I would normally be working and get the same money. That would be great if I can do that.

With that freed up schedule, I can do whatever I want. I make a living playing on the low limit tables and I'm sure I can be successful enough on higher tables to make it worth it and still have the same arrangement I have now that I live off of but actually make real money.

If I knew another job I would want to do, I would be going a different direction but my problem has always been what do I want to do? Have no clue. The only thing I've done that I've loved is poker. Everything else has been ok or after a while, I've hated it. I'm not qualified for a lot of jobs and overqualified for others all of which are jobs I don't know if I want to do. Therefore, I can't go to school to get my masters or anything like that when I don't know. Get training in certains skills but what skills? I don't know! So if this poker deal doesn't work out, I have no fucking clue what to do.

I know this is my own fault as this is my life and I should have figured out something earlier or not been so lazy finding something. However, at this time, this is the only thing I know to do to try and fix it. I will be moving out soon to a new place that will be more expensive but managable, even under my current finacial situation but I need more for the future. My brother is good with finances (works for Merill Lynch) and has a lot of success dealing with his finances and investing so we've been talking about a Roth IRA or something where i can put in up to 4k a year for retirement, after 65 years old. I should set up something like this so I have something to retire on. Just makes sense. I'm glad I have someone that I can trust and knows what he's doing so I should be able to get myself set up.

Eventually, I should be at a level where I can play at the same pace I am but making real money. Get to KennyG level but not be so lazy like the hours like he is. Any advice from other pros and semi pros?

We'll see how this goes. Wish me luck.

Your main focus should certainly be moving up limits. As great as a job poker can be, you don't want to be barely making it playing $25 omaha and the like. This is especially a concern because if you lose your job, you don't know where to go after that. If you're playing (winning) at higher limits, that becomes much less a consideration because you're bringing in good money hourly from poker anyway.

While you have this side job is the best time to try and work up limits. I never had that oppertunity (matter of fact I was in debt so our situations were reversed), but with extra money coming in you have a big comfort zone.

I understand your emotional concern about the stress of higher limits. They are well-founded. You see me bitching every night because of the swings I go on. Honestly, I've still not adapted to 2/4 NL. But right now, the money (anywhere from 75-125 an hour) is more then worth a little stress.

Now is the best time you're gonna get to move up limits, since you have a job to back you up. Build that bankroll and get confidence playing higher stakes!

I also suggest at some point soon you seperate your bankroll and bank account.

If I was 15 years younger, didn't have a wife and two children and a new $350,000 mortgage incoming, and didn't have a good job as a partner in a law firm trust me, I would be renting out my house and buying that round the world ticket right now..

The maths for a Brit, even playing low stake games, look very tempting. No tax (and that's usually 35-40% of income here), no need for health insurance, play from anywhere in the world.

You can make $20-30/hr even at tiny stakes ($50 NL or $10 SnG's). If you are a young single man on a beach in Fiji, that's more than enough to get by - spend the week on the beach and then blitz an internet cafe at the weekend for 2 days whilst the games are soft..

Once you get older you need to have more care for the future though. That said if, when I move up to $200 NL I'm maintaining a realtively low win rate of 4PTBB/100 or more that's $40/hr + bonuses = $50/hr or so. For 30 hrs/week that is $6300/month (tax free) - that isn't insignificant by anyone's standards and if I could sustain a higher rate then I might yet be tempted...that's probably my biggest fear as I;m not a gambler at heart ..

I honestly think the non-gamblers have the best hot of making it in the long run. Excession, Briachek, me (to a lesser extent) have pretty good bankroll management.