I really thought coinflip might break if I put something this large into the comment box.  But I did want to reply and do the quiz.

1) First share a bit about yourself (education, interests, family, etc):

I barely graduated high school - due to a lack of motivation, not incompetence.  My report cards went like A, A, F, B, I (incomplete), D, F.  I would either love the subject and do exceptionally well, and for whatever reason would dismiss other classes, sometimes I didn't like the teacher, whatever.  I think my favorite class was World History, followed by Psychology.  After that I went to a film school for a few years, I got into screen writing and a little film, 16mm film is fucking expensive and doesn't allow "do-overs" so several McDonalds paychecks went to that.  I remember I was working full time as an assistant manager and would sometimes work 70 hour weeks, because I needed the money for school, and to live (rent, food...) but then working that much made me skip a few classes.  I might go back to it at some point, I used to agonize over details, everything was cause and effect.  My dad in very few words said you better find a way to make a living and forget these dreams of yours.  I took some classes at a local community college, then went to a technical school for auto repair resulting in a associates deg. 

 

2) Briefly describe your poker history. How would you characterize your progress? What game(s)/ limit(s) do you play? 

My first hand of hold 'em was a little after my 25th birthday at a 0.25/0.50 home game I lost a little bit then on my third session I made $90 profit, at that point I was hooked.  Before table games were legalized / regulated there were A TON of small stakes home games and games at clubs, fire halls, VFW's, Bars - some were crooked, most were on the square.  Thus means I have been playing a little over 3 years.  Playing was my only source of income for about six months as I was between jobs at one point, so I'd say I'm doing alright.  The highest stakes I've played is 5/10 live, 0.25/0.50 online - I never really took playing online seriously but I sure do miss it.  Generally 1/3 NL is about the only game going on around here anymore.  I did enjoy the 8 game on FT.

 

 

3) What are you goals in poker? Short- and long-term.

Short term would be to win a tournament of decent size and quality.  Long term would be financial independance, not filthy rich per se but comfortable without having to work or play crazy hours.

 

 

4) What personal goals does poker support?

not working 10 hours a day, unless I want to.  Not being limited to making x amount of money in a month. You know, Freedom.

 

5) List and describe the problems in your mental game. List them in order of importance to you or by severity. Give as much information as you can, including the triggers, signs, and what you believe are the causes.

A)Being card dead (9/10 handed, average / better than average competition) for a few hours can do it, also getting the same garbage cards. One night I swear I had T4o at least 8x in maybe two hours time.

B)I can't stop thinking about some hands, which is a double edged sword I guess.  I can remember a lot of stuff but Sometimes I can't forget.

 

6) What have you tried to fix any of these issues? What level of success have you had?


A)I've learned there is a time to leave the table.  If I'm running bad, or feeling bad, it's probably only going to get worse.  There is a time to play poker, a time to eat a sandwich, and a time to get a lap dance.

B)I need to play more to create more positive experiences to drown out the times I didn't get full value from a hand.

 

7) Do factors outside poker ever affect your play? If yes, how? Does poker ever negatively impact your life, if yes, how?

There are definatly factors outside of poker that can change my emotions and that can change my play.  The only negative impact might be a lack of balance like not getting enough exercise or eating properly.

 

8) Why do you play poker? What motivates you to play, why do you love it, what do you get out of it?

Deep down I really like breaking people, not all people, but a lot of people. 

 

 

9) List your three to five biggest distractions while playing. Describe why these are a problem.

1) Talking, not random talking about news or weather but just rambling on about whatever and usually slows the game down.  

2) people that are excessively deep into their food, ipod, book, nook or whatever and miss table actions

3) Bad dealers

 

 

10) How do you decide when to play? Do you have a set time or is it flexible or random?

It's very random.