Did a post on my blog - thought it would be interesting to hear other peoples self analysis - poor 2nd half of year for me and missed most targets for year. Realise starting this on Fri night prob bad idea but feel free to post your year review below. :D
YEAR LOWS
1)My biggest disappointment for many a year was the profit I made on the banking shares that I held. At one stage I had up to 20K invested and felt these shares were unbelievable value. However they went down initially and there was so much negativity around that I ran when profits got up to around 30% netting a decent gain, had I stuck to my principles that gain could have been 10 times higher at around 50k !!!!
2) My biggest buy in ever was the EPO where I paid 3500$ for a seat although I sold about half my action. I played very well in this tournament and despite losing races was still in it with 10% of field left when my aces were busted by Kx suited to finish outside the cash.
3) At Macau in a 5000$ buy in event I was drawn on the table of death yet managed to get a decent stack on a table full of pros. Once again fortune was not on my side and I lost all big pots most of which I was massive favourite in, KK versus 56 suited was particularly painful.
4) Dominated hands - at the other 2 big buy in events I played in the year which were the EPT Copenhagen and Newcastle GUKPT I ran 2nd set into top set and Kings into Aces.
5) Not mastering PLO and ultimately making a loss at this discipline during the year.
YEAR HIGHS
1) NL hold em cash games in the first 6 months of the year went very well and I quite often felt I was the best player at the table at 6 max, and this was shown in profits and my win rate.
2) Qualifying via 2 freerolls into the EPT Copenhagen on pokerstars.
3) Qualifying for Macau.
4) Instigating and taking my sabbatical leave from work and having the most amazing 2 months when travelling around Asia and Australia.
5) Winning the Betfair Sunday night major earlier in the year, which at that point had meant I had won it 3 times in a year which was prob 1 time in every 10-12 times i had played it over that time period.
LOWS: - missing out on a WSOP package - Key moment was folding 88 to avoid 3 way all in pre flop (vs 77 and 44) only to see first card out being an 8! If i call there then package was gtd. UTG 44 all in, 77 calls all in - had to fold on SB. Had both stacks covered, but would have been crippled by call.
- AA busted in WSOPE event 1 by 44 who called 25% of his stack pre flop
- Taking out JBong in Portugal sat on the bubble
HIGHS: - 5 FT's in 18K game inside 6 days including a win and a 2nd place finish - 2nd in the 100K - 11 out of 12 winning months - Qualfying for GUKPT manchester and having a 5 star weekend there - Watching my kids learn to read, swim and ride bicycles :)
LOWS:- missing out on a WSOP package - Key moment was folding 88 to avoid 3 way all in pre flop (vs 77 and 44) only to see first card out being an 8! If i call there then package was gtd. UTG 44 all in, 77 calls all in - had to fold on SB. Had both
- Lack of exercise - Lack of improvement on my 6-max cash game. Only winning at 2.5ptbb/100 - WCOOP 1st with 15 left only coming 11th! Highs:
- Finally finished uni after 5yrs! - WCOOP so close to the $225k but still netted 5-fig score - Winning a live event which was more than 100 quid buyin - Winning at HU cash for more than 6.5ptbb/100 and not just bumhunting! - Good results in online Mtts (1st,2nd,4th,9th in 25 attempts on the BF $18k) - Qualifying for WSOP ME again
Lows:- Lack of exercise- Lack of improvement on my 6-max cash game. Only winning at 2.5ptbb/100- WCOOP 1st with 15 left only coming 11th!Highs:- Finally finished uni after 5yrs!- WCOOP so close to the $225k but still netted 5-fig score- Winning a liv
Lows: All poker since October Not managing to stop smoking once again. Rivered for big pot late in day one at WSOPE1
Highs: Back to back 18k wins and a vegas seat in same week. A nice cash in the 100$ rebuy on I Seeing my little girl open presents on Xmas day
GL all be lucky
Lows:All poker since OctoberNot managing to stop smoking once again.Rivered for big pot late in day one at WSOPE1Highs:Back to back 18k wins and a vegas seat in same week.A nice cash in the 100$ rebuy on ISeeing my little girl open presents on Xmas d
getting a job moving into a new flat playing way less poker
lows
norwich getting relegated andy splitting with kim andy in general really
sorry for the emotional post
highsgetting a jobmoving into a new flatplaying way less pokerlowsnorwich getting relegatedandy splitting with kimandy in general reallysorry for the emotional post
Been playing a lot less poker this year so most of my highs relate to my personal life
Highs
Starting to build my career at the bank, been promoted once and already looking at next promotion Relationship going great and girlfriend moving in shortly. Poker high was my brief 2 week stint back on Ipoker when I won about £3k in that time, left £1k in there and lost it due to continuous bad luck so left the site for a while.
Lows
Too much sports betting, generally breaking even but it is still something I wanna cut down on. The horrendous beats on pokerstarz Not playing live at all My Grandad dying on Wednesday
Will probably play even less next year unfortunately but there is more to life than poker and I've definitely discovered that over the past 2 years
Jazzy
Been playing a lot less poker this year so most of my highs relate to my personal lifeHighsStarting to build my career at the bank, been promoted once and already looking at next promotionRelationship going great and girlfriend moving in shortly.Poke
Lows my sister moving to cyprus with mom and dad. losing with queens to AK on the bubble in a live tourny worth 5k. gettin called wen i check raised sum1 with aces and he rivers 2 pair.
Highs moving up through levels that 8 months ago wen i started i wouldnt of dreamed of playing. breakin even over my first 8 months of poker.
looking for to 2010 and hopefully a very profitable year
Lowsmy sister moving to cyprus with mom and dad.losing with queens to AK on the bubble in a live tourny worth 5k.gettin called wen i check raised sum1 with aces and he rivers 2 pair.Highsmoving up through levels that 8 months ago wen i started i woul
HIGHS meeting up again in london with twads, evvo, joffy, and delboy123 and having a good ** p1ss up LOWS going bust due to some t0ssers not paying my company 85k for works carried out. CL in sunday warm up with 18 left and getting AA stuffed by 22, then again with 8 left a few weeks later and being totally card dead, and just to mention busting my bf account.
gl to all next year
HIGHSmeeting up again in london with twads, evvo, joffy, and delboy123 and having a good ** p1ss upLOWSgoing bust due to some t0ssers not paying my company 85k for works carried out.CL in sunday warm up with 18 left and getting AA stuffed by 22, then
February to mid June. Though I won money in that period, it wasn't enough to pay the mortgage and I had one winning month and 3 losing months. It was rubish.
Failing to cash in any £1K+ events again. Though it didn't pay me off as much as some in the past the DTD one where I got massively chipped up very early and then lost a couple of races to be crippled was pretty irritating at the time.
I had a spell at the start of the year where I cashed in less tournaments than I bubbled or 2nd bubbled in.
Wife getting made redundant when running bad already.
STTs on BF, especially D2Ns!
The tards who killed the MTT schedule here.
Highs
Mid June onwards really. I looked at my game around then, and since then I made about £50K.
Getting the monkey off my back on st ars by cashing for $25K. Though I still seem to run terrible some days on there!
I eventually got some work. It would have been really easy to take a job in May, but having run so well later in the year was a much more difficult decision. Not sure if it was a high or low even now, but guaranteed money+ poker money i poker money and it should mean I don't have any losing months for a while overall.
LowsFebruary to mid June. Though I won money in that period, it wasn't enough to pay the mortgage and I had one winning month and 3 losing months. It was rubish.Failing to cash in any £1K+ events again. Though it didn't pay me off as much as some
- Moving from 100NL to 2000NL - Making 6 figures - Being awesome generally
Lows:
- Being an overall douche at the tables - Very bad physical condition irl resulting in winning probably XXk less than I did - Overplaying suited connectors in expensive MTTs - Getting acquainted with FlopItHot (one of the worst lows) - Being a wuss not daring to pull moves in deep river spots - Not succeeding in seducing a certain bird in 4 months of time
Highs:- Moving from 100NL to 2000NL- Making 6 figures- Being awesome generallyLows:- Being an overall douche at the tables- Very bad physical condition irl resulting in winning probably XXk less than I did- Overplaying suited connectors in expensive
1) Billys moving to ip oker. Although not making a fortune I was making as much playing part time there as I do at my full time job. It wouldn't have really mattered Billys moving except....
2) Being poo on ipoker. Found out just how much of a rut I was in playing solely on Billys. Seemed to be getting outplayed far too much for my liking so tried to take a look at my game. Problem is I'm a lazy git and couldn't really be ar sed lol. Though when I did try and do new things it still didn't make much difference.
3) The feeling that that I need to play poker all the time. Finishing an early turn at work, rushing home and having to start playing poker straightaway. Then being stressed out when it wasn't going well on ipoker because I wasn't doing as well as the last 3 years.
4) Our Doris being told that she's not getting a pay rise this year. Not such a massive thing but being that we're saving money to get married next year, plus having a baby, wasn't what I wanted to hear. It's probably mor to do with the fact that the owner of the place she works told her she's done a brilliant job this year and has really brought the place on. Oh and btw, everyone else will get one except you because I can't afford it. Stupid biitch! Eben came to our house for tea whilst MY Mum helped her with some legal stuff. Stop ranting Kirky anyway lol....
HIGHS
Stopping playing poker altogether in about July. I had started to hate playing at all even when I had a winning session, just really didn't want to play at all. Moped around grieving for a week or so lol, then the feeling gradually wore off. My days off work were now stress-free and had much more time to do other stuff (like properly concentrate on Jeremy Kyle) on my days off work.
Getting engaged to our Doris. Got engaged on Valentines Day. Never thought I'd do it but got there in the end. Her ex had proposed on top of the Eiffel Tower but he had nowt on me. If anyone's ever struggling for somewhere really romantic to pop the question - take her to Southport lol.
Sky Poker - After finishing playing part time online I had a few ton left in this account so thought I'd just have the odd dabble now and again playing lowish limits on the TV if I ever got bored, and if I lost the rest then no probs. A few months later I've had another laptop, TV, cpl of grand for the wedding and still got treble what I had. So the odd 1-table dabbling is good.
Having first baby this week. Never known a feeling like it. Always loved kids but always been nervy around babies. Tuesday was a brilliant if a really really tiring day(s). Our Doris had been having contractions for about 6 hours when I got there. 30 minutes later Kirky had gone dizzy and was busy puking his guts up in the corner of the room. Midwife had to escort me outside for tea and toast lol. Baby eventually arrived and despite there being a few ongoing probs atm, looking like she's on the mend touchwood. So all good.
Being off work all Christmas and New Year due to me craftily sneaking most of my A/L over this period. Again :)
LOWS1) Billys moving to ip oker. Although not making a fortune I was making as much playing part time there as I do at my full time job. It wouldn't have really mattered Billys moving except....2) Being poo on ipoker. Found out just how much of a rut
This time last year, my Dad became very ill and in February had to have a tumour removed from the side of his neck. The operation was a succes, but the tumour was sent way to be analysed and diagnosed as a very aggresive form of cancer, and unless he had radiotherapy (wouldn't give him kemo cos of age and erratic heartbeat) the cancer was likely to come back. He had to have a month of radiotherapy leading up to Easter Monday. He got through it all, and at the moment is in the clear - although there are some shadows on his lungs. In September he had to go back into hospital for a week after suffering a bleed between his skull and brain which wouldn't heal because he was on Warfarin - since stopped. Looking after him, constant trips to the hospital and trying to run a business has affected me more than I thought. It's made me question where my own life is going. I've always been pretty happy with my life, happy to work and enjoy the time off, happy with the simple things in life, like walking the dog, going to the pub and never worried about being single, but the things I've seen this year has made me realise I don't want to get old alone. It's frightened the life out of me, but at the same time, my Dad had become so dependant on me being there fof him that I feel trapped. I feel like time is passing me,and I don't know what to do about it. I've never felt so unhappy in my whole life.
Lows:This time last year, my Dad became very ill and in February had to have a tumour removed from the side of his neck. The operation was a succes, but the tumour was sent way to be analysed and diagnosed as a very aggresive form of cancer, and unle
Jesus Mccoy. Best of luck fella. I reckon plenty have felt like that. Go for a few pints with your best mate, and listen to what he says you should do. He'll know what's best for you and set you on the right path. All the best.
Jesus Mccoy. Best of luck fella. I reckon plenty have felt like that. Go for a few pints with your best mate, and listen to what he says you should do. He'll know what's best for you and set you on the right path. All the best.
Best of luck McCoy. Things will turn. As long as your putting yourself out there the right person will turn up. Over thinking it can be the worst thing. Best wishes to your dad.
Best of luck McCoy. Things will turn. As long as your putting yourself out there the right person will turn up. Over thinking it can be the worst thing. Best wishes to your dad.
I really feel for you, McCoy. I nursed my mother while she was dying of cancer, it was the worst period of my life. Although I do not live with my father he is very dependant on me and I, like yourself, spend a lot of time visiting him, shopping for him etc and going to the hospital with him. You sound too nice a guy to be single. Good luck.
I really feel for you, McCoy. I nursed my mother while she was dying of cancer, it was the worst period of my life. Although I do not live with my father he is very dependant on me and I, like yourself, spend a lot of time visiting him, shopping fo
Just to add that my mother was only 54 when she died of lung cancer, after being a lifelong smoker. The consultant said she had three months to live, and he was right. Imagine being told you had three months to live. Please give up smoking in the new year.
Just to add that my mother was only 54 when she died of lung cancer, after being a lifelong smoker. The consultant said she had three months to live, and he was right. Imagine being told you had three months to live. Please give up smoking in the
Annie, my Mum died of Pancreatic cancer (same as Patrick Swayze) at 54, I'm now 42 and still think of both my parents. My Mum smoked (a lot) but I think its wrong criticising anyone who does so.
Cherish your parents while you have them.
Annie, my Mum died of Pancreatic cancer (same as Patrick Swayze) at 54, I'm now 42 and still think of both my parents. My Mum smoked (a lot) but I think its wrong criticising anyone who does so. Cherish your parents while you have them.
Ovalman, I was not criticizing smokers at all. I have never smoked but I would never criticize posters that do. I have enough failings of my own to ever do that. I just wanted smokers to realise how easily it is to die of cancer through smoking, and at such a relatively young age.
I still thank you for being among the posters who started me playing poker. It has been three months now and I still love it.
Ovalman, I was not criticizing smokers at all. I have never smoked but I would never criticize posters that do. I have enough failings of my own to ever do that. I just wanted smokers to realise how easily it is to die of cancer through smoking,
Got myself a good steady accountants job, whilst seeing India, Holland and the Czech Republic with it.
Giving up playing hours upon hours of poker.
Enjoy gambling as not dependant on the win or loss & made 9k over the year so all is good.
Lows
My dad being rushed to hospital whilst i was on a revision course, then dying within 36 hours so not got to have a final chat with him of so many things i've had to reflect on since.
Having to arrange all funeral arrangements and care for mum as she took it bad.
Within 2 weeks of my dad dying mum to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it's borderline whether they can operate or not (find out tomorrow, if they can it will be xmas eve)
Not being able to take my exams.
chop180 is used by a fellow friend/player to post, mine will be signed with Ray
Joffy mate do give up both my folks smoked, dad had stomach cancer and ended up COPD due to only havng 2 thirds of 1 lung as when a child he had TB and had a lung and a third removed. Mum has also had blood clots and now this, amazing thing is neither me or my brothers ended up smoking.
Chin up Mccoy.
Ray
HighsGot myself a good steady accountants job, whilst seeing India, Holland and the Czech Republic with it.Giving up playing hours upon hours of poker.Enjoy gambling as not dependant on the win or loss & made 9k over the year so all is good.LowsMy da
Ray, I don't know what to say. What you've been through makes my problems pale into insignificance. I hope your Mum comes through all this. Not sure I should of posted what I did, feel quite emotional.
Ray, I don't know what to say. What you've been through makes my problems pale into insignificance. I hope your Mum comes through all this. Not sure I should of posted what I did, feel quite emotional.
#3 son started DPhil at Merton and made a major discovery in the lab within his first 3 weeks. Watch this space.....
#4 son started Uni reading politics
Year Lows
There were a few momentary low points. As long as all are healthy and the children are settled and doing well it puts everything into perspective.
I wish all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2010. xxx
Year HighsMr and Mrs D visit#1 son accepted into Harvard Business School #2 son started his own business#3 son started DPhil at Merton and made a major discovery in the lab within his first 3 weeks. Watch this space.....#4 son started Uni reading
My dad died aged 46 due to smoking (I was 13 and and am now mid 30's) My brother and my mum still smoke and I find that disgusting, and it still causes a family rift. Obviously I shouldn't judge...but still. All the best to those who've lost people.
My dad died aged 46 due to smoking (I was 13 and and am now mid 30's) My brother and my mum still smoke and I find that disgusting, and it still causes a family rift. Obviously I shouldn't judge...but still. All the best to those who've lost people.
even those this is a sad thread it has made me really emotional and taken me back to three years ago when i lost my partner and unborn child.
lots supported me on here when this happened and threads like these show there are still a lot of very good posters with big hearts
even those this is a sad thread it has made me really emotional and taken me back to three years ago when i lost my partner and unborn child.lots supported me on here when this happened and threads like these show there are still a lot of very good p
1. First chid in Jan this year Imogen-rose and having a gd family life
2.Winning 14k this year in poker all MTTS 2nd year playing poker
3. Cashing in my 1st live tournie WSOPE
4. Good year with work
5. Winning 48 MTTs this year
Lows
1. Losing 7k of my 14k winnings on sports betting £100-150 a week
2. Losing HU to represent Team Europe Vs America (altough idid get WSOPE seat for 2nd)
3. Number 1 again
This year i shall be giving up sports betting even though there is the odd high losing that much of my winnings is not good.
Looking to play live a bit more this year hopefuly UKIPT and which ever sats i can make it through.
Play bigger MTTS
GL all
Highs1. First chid in Jan this year Imogen-rose and having a gd family life2.Winning 14k this year in poker all MTTS 2nd year playing poker3. Cashing in my 1st live tournie WSOPE4. Good year with work5. Winning 48 MTTs this year Lows1. Losing 7k of m
highs: - watching my boys growing up - good year at work - enough profit from poker to consider going to vegas in 2010 for a wsop event - betfair poker Q&A thread: PR failures on this scale only happen once every 20 years - Macbook Pro: I have Windows installed on it but it is only started once a fortnight
lows: - betfair poker (I had to pick something to go here)
Good luck in 2010 to everyone, especially those who are caring for others.
highs:- watching my boys growing up- good year at work- enough profit from poker to consider going to vegas in 2010 for a wsop event- betfair poker Q&A thread: PR failures on this scale only happen once every 20 years- Macbook Pro: I have Windows in
Highs - I never have any. Certainly not this year, or any other year. Hardly play at all now, and I don't miss it. One of my better decisions.
Lows - I could go on until next year listing them, but hard as life is, and depressing as it is, I just get on with it. Either that, or go to the doctors to be prescribed pills. Pills you end up hooked on no doubt, to make the doctors life as simple as possible. Just tell folks straight you can't be bothered with them you lazy bstards.
Life can be like poker sometimes. Really tough mentally.
Highs - I never have any. Certainly not this year, or any other year. Hardly play at all now, and I don't miss it. One of my better decisions.Lows - I could go on until next year listing them, but hard as life is, and depressing as it is, I just get
Forgetting all the personal stuff, and looking back over the gambling.
Lows: Donking off my entire poker winnings on football and horse betting.
Highs: Winning about £4000 on poker including cake & leaderboard money. Pretty pleased with that as I don't play much in the summer because of work. The realisation that I can't win at cash, stts, horses or football. My Betfair account is now used solely for mtts or putting bets on for my Dad. Horse and football betting sends me on tilt more than poker ever does.
Forgetting all the personal stuff, and looking back over the gambling.Lows:Donking off my entire poker winnings on football and horse betting.Highs:Winning about £4000 on poker including cake & leaderboard money. Pretty pleased with that as I don't
Discovering poker, being coached and backed by 2 excellent MTT players
Lows
Discovering the betfair poker forum. Bunch of egotistical vile unhelpful**s (bar one or 2)
;-) Merry xmas
HighsDiscovering poker, being coached and backed by 2 excellent MTT playersLowsDiscovering the betfair poker forum. Bunch of egotistical vile unhelpful**s (bar one or 2);-) Merry xmas
new job still with the wife (its number 3, but i feel good things for my future, wont get to the situation where i'm looking for a number 4)
lows
poker, getting to time to give in now, too many beats, too much money going towards people who have to wear velcro shoes, not enough flowing my way
have paid for a holiday this year for the family, but for the last year or 3 its been very very break even, either my game hasnt improved, or the stakes i am forced to play dont work with my game and i dont know how to adapt
and, as for next year:
looking to my job changing from 6 month contracts to a permanent position, then getting promoted
and possibly playing some live poker, but prob not online, think the wife deserves her husband back
highs:new jobstill with the wife (its number 3, but i feel good things for my future, wont get to the situation where i'm looking for a number 4)lowspoker, getting to time to give in now, too many beats, too much money going towards people who have t
Winning Tournament at Bellagio for 10,270$ Quit smoking and cut down on the drinking. Giving up sports betting since April and reading tedious forums. Meeting current girlfriend. Cut down on the poker, and for many months gave it up entirely, more and beter things in life than cards.
Lows
Selling Lloydstsb shares at 40 percent profit when I could have made up to 200%
Good luck to all and Merry Xmas!
HighsWinning Tournament at Bellagio for 10,270$Quit smoking and cut down on the drinking.Giving up sports betting since April and reading tedious forums.Meeting current girlfriend.Cut down on the poker, and for many months gave it up entirely, more a
Winning Tournament at Bellagio for 10,270$ Quit smoking and cut down on the drinking. Giving up sports betting since April and reading tedious forums. Meeting current Penguin. Cut down on the poker, and for many months gave it up entirely, more and beter things in life than cards.
Lows
Selling Lloydstsb shares at 40 percent profit when I could have made up to 200%
Good luck to all and Merry Xmas!
Spud! 21 Dec 14:55 HighsWinning Tournament at Bellagio for 10,270$Quit smoking and cut down on the drinking.Giving up sports betting since April and reading tedious forums.Meeting current Penguin.Cut down on the poker, and for many months gave
Qualifying and playing in WSOPE event 1 this year. Great experience!
Watching Sunderland AFC
Geordies going down
Lows:
Up and down (mainly down) year at the poker tables.
Watching Sunderland AFC
Highs:Qualifying and playing in WSOPE event 1 this year. Great experience!Watching Sunderland AFCGeordies going downLows:Up and down (mainly down) year at the poker tables.Watching Sunderland AFC