My Goal for Poker- To use it as a way to practice… where I can be aware of my emotions, unattached from outcomes, and present while I play and as a result accumulate $100,000.  Poker is a lab experiment of sorts.

So, I decided to switch from PLO HU to NL HU and have been happy with the decision.  I took a few things into consideration while deciding to make this jump.

1. Much more content- More content is available right now for NL HU and I feel at my level it gives me a much bigger edge.  I can now learn at a steadier pace and apply new concepts to my game on a weekly basis.  There is little PLO HU content on DC or CR and I was feeling like I did not have a clear, simple plan for learning HU strategy.  I also think that by learning NL HU really well, it will provide a base for me to improve faster with other games in the future.  Ansky once said:

” When you play HU poker, you learn the difficult aspects of Poker really well because you are forced to hand read every hand.”

2. Less Variance- The Variance at PLO HU is more than my bankroll can handle and I am really ready to move up to HU $50.  I can do this with a smaller bankroll by playing NL.  The faster I move up the better because I am paying a very high rake at $25 HU. 

3. Better Game selection – There is a bigger player pool at NL HU, so I can game select better and find players I have a big edge on.

4. I really enjoy it – I enjoy being an 80-20 favorite on the flop rather than a 60-40.  My opponents are just as bad but have less of a chance to suck out.  There are also more opportunities to Bluff, which I am really loving!

So in recap a shorter learning curve, less variance, easier opponents (bc more to choose from), the potential to move up quicker and pay less rake, and a game I am really enjoying = NL HU

I have made some bad decisions as far as bankroll management and entered some MTT that I should not have and thus have suffered a hit in my bankroll.  I have my head on straight now though as far BR and I know that I must protect it at all costs, so any MTT’s that I enter will now come out of my own pocket not my bankroll’s.

My NL HU stats from 11/28 through 12/15:

Hands: 2466 (mainly @ NL25)

$ Earned: $88.27

BB/100: 12.98

So I’m very happy with this start and I will continue to play and learn more.  I am excited about Christmas and spending time with my friends and family.  I also came across a new Meditation book today called Meditation in a New York Minute and I really, really enjoyed the clear, simple structure.  I feel great.  So until, next time…