The me of the people.
I don’t know who reads this blog, and I don’t really know if I want to know who reads it, originally, the blog was a mandatory addition to the study and training. Something for me to record my thoughts on poker, and the things I’ve learned, whether it has evolved from that into something else I’m not sure. Skelm encourages the blog as often as possible, any bit of insight, any tidbit of information I think would be useful to be able to recall, or use as a milestone in my progress, I’m pressured to write about it here.
But who reads it? And should I care? Should I write to cater for an audience, does an audience even exist? I’ve pondered these questions a little but dismissed them, and refused to look at the back-end of the site or hear about how many hits I get, all I’m told is ‘I’ve gotten emails when you don’t blog for a few days, blog more, go go, blog blog blog’, so I’m either being lied to, or at least one person out there thinks I’m writing something worth reading. Which is yet another goddamn paradox, if someone is reading my blog, could it be to exploit weakness in me? I talk pretty loosely about spots I need to improve in, but I’m also careful to not to go about mentioning screen-names and the like, so I’m generally cautious. I guess my writing should primarily be for me, not in a ‘Dear diary’ type way, but just a more personal account of feelings towards the game, my struggle to get a psychological and mathematical edge over my opponents, and my ability to play poker and work a goddamn full-time job at the same time.
I was pretty scared when Skelm linked this on the Stoxpoker front page, It’s good that he’s proud enough of me to do so, and I’m flattered, but other than passing year 12 English, I didn’t really think my writing was worthy of that kind of real estate or that kind of attention. But again, I don’t know how many people clicked the link, or how many people commented on it in the forums, or what they said, I guess I feel like I’d either become self-conscious, arrogant, or paranoid depending on what others thought, so my choice was and is ignorance, blissful ignorance.
I accept that people will read, judge and critique this, so I’ll continue to make lame jokes, drop a few expletives here and there, and just generally keep it more than a boring regular observational post. Though, if you do read this blog and enjoy it (for some reason), feel free to comment on this page, keeping in mind the fragile balance mentioned above.
And I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing!
I’m not sure if I submitted my note to you the other day. Since I am not sure, I am writing another one.
I think your blog is great and your write very well for only completing 12 grade English. I like the angle you take on the stories and they are ones that I can relate too. In fact, I am a poker mentor for a young man and he is going through some of the same growing pains you are. Also, I can remember not too long ago taking some of the same first steps and missteps (I still take many of them).
Keep up the great work on the blog. Although I am positive you have many readers, you have at least 1 loyal reader [but no pressure
]
I just found the blog today and have read the posts from the start up until this one. I am pretty much a complete newbie, but am the kind of person who wants to have SOME idea of how to play the game before losing a lot of money fast.
I don’t have a coach or someone to bankroll me in the beginning, so I can appreciate wanting to have some support before diving in.
Anyhow, I appreciate your sharing and hope to continue to follow the journey!
Thanks for taking the time to write this! It means a lot, I tell my little stories how I see them, which I can admit is generally biased by my way of perceiving the world. The journey is a bit of a rollercoaster, and the growing pains are many, but there’s just too much evidence that with enough work, this pursuit isn’t in vain, and this game is winnable.
I said early on that I’m pretty fortunate to have a dedicated coach and staker, very fortunate, but many people have done it the hard way with enough dedication. If I were you, I would grab Harrington On Cash games Vol 1 and 2, and Ed Millers Small Stakes No Limit Hold’em. Those 3 books are all anyone needs to not hemorrhage cash early on in their career, I wouldn’t recommend anyone picking up poker without picking those up first. And do some research into rakeback and affiliate programs before you make an account on a poker site. If you still have interest in the game, and want to continue learning, buy a subscription at a training site like stoxpoker.com and watch videos to your hearts content, if you heed the advice given in them, they will pay for themselves!
The most common poker community site is http://www.twoplustwo.com, head there and sign up on the forums, read strategy and hand review threads.
I suppose this is my blanket advice to any new up-and-comer, the rakeback and twoplustwo sign ups are really mandatory, if you don’t do both, it will bite you in the ass later on.
Hope I helped
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the tips! I know it’s not “real” poker, but I did buy Hoyle Casino for my computer and have been playing against the computer. It at least gives me some idea of how my current style works in that situation. I’m also going through the poker books that my public library has available. This has kept my current investment (other than time) to less than $25.
If I continue to enjoy it and am ready to move it up a notch, I will definitely keep the above recommendations in mind. And the twoplustwo forums sound free — a feature I really like at this stage!