I opted to change my blog layout.  I changed it once and got a complaint, hopefully this is a little easier on the eyes!  I like to change things up from time to time, with something I view often.  I do this with poker as well.  I recently changed my table view and layout and the deck as well, for something a little different.  I think this is the biggest reason why I sometimes want to play at Poker Stars as well, just something different than the same software and setup over and over and over.  Sounds silly I know, but it is just the way I am.  So hopefully this view is better for people, because I just feel the urge to change up the view and I am gonna satisfy that urge!

I also learned that I can type my post up in Word or some processor, then paste it into the blog entry form under the preformatted option and in this way I can change my fonts and stuff.  It also means I can spell check stuff since I am lazy.  lol  Yes, I know I have this blog for almost a year now and am just learning this!

I am excited as my friend has said he’d be more than happy to help me and review vids I make for him.  This with coaching is going to be so killer, it is not even funny.  I got one video back today already and he noticed some flaws that certainly be taking away from my bottom line and ability to play good poker.

First, I am giving up to donk leads far too much.  I need to be raising these up much more often, especially early in the session to determine what they mean.  I am losing so much value by not doing this, because some players love to donk into you.  Making good notes will allow me to undermine their strategy and play more profitably against this style of player.

Second, I need to be value betting much thinner on the turn.  I can A) charge lesser hands and get value from weaker made hands and draws B) get more information on where my hand stands, and C) check back rivers if I so desire most of the time.  Failure to bet these marginal hands on the turn causes me to A) lose value from weaker hands and B) not make as good of a decision I can based on the information I have in the hand. 

Third, I need to be raising much more when IP and isolating.  I have been going 4x, this should be substantially more. 

Overall from the video, I don’t think my play is terrible.  That is good and it restores some of my confidence in my play.  What I need to do is refine my game, fix some leaks, and continue to progress as a poker player.  I don’t need an overhaul, I need tweaking.  Restoring confidence and saying my play is not terrible is not in any way translated into saying I am playing well, mind you.  I have much room for improvement and I will be working on that to get the best of my abilities.  Like a different friend told me, I have in no way tapped into my total ability as a poker player, I have no question with proper work and help from friends, coaches, self help with reviews of HHs, vids, etc. that I can be a very good player, beating midstakes for sure and maybe eventually reach a limit like 5/10. 

My goal at the beginning of the year was lofty in my opinion.  It was to be starting to make a run at 400nl.  I said this when I was playing 25nl.  At the time, I don’t think I realized just how much work and how difficult it is to make that jump.  However, given my bankroll and the help I am getting and the hands I get in, I definitely still think I can at least be taking a shot at 400nl by the end of the year, which is 2.5 months away.  Bottom line is there is no reason at all why I can’t step up and beat 200nl for a solid winrate with the tools at my disposal and can be mixing in some juicy 2/4 games.  I have the determination and the mindset to succeed.  It is only a matter of time. 

My first lesson with Matt is tonight.  I am definitely looking forward to it.  Much like my other friend helping me, I have no question I will get a straight forward, no BS analysis from Matt.  That is the key to learning from someone in my opinion.  You have to have a teacher who won’t sugarcoat things and you need to be a student who does not take things personally and objectively looks at what is being presented and think about how you can learn from that information.  I have both of these keys in place and am confident I will improve based on these lessons.

Off topic, the Lions traded away Roy Williams and a 7th round pick to Dallas for a 1st, 3rd, and 6th round picks.  This is clearly a win for both teams.  I watched Roy play a lot of games in Detroit and he will without question help Dallas succeed.  The flip side is that with the negativity and whining he brought to Detroit (Hey, not blaming him, 5 seasons of trash will make anyone miserable), it is probably best that he move on.  He will help Dallas and now that Millen is gone, these picks might do Detroit some good.  Great trade for both parties.

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