Thursday, November 10, 2005

20 K

I crossed $20,000 in career poker winnings last night!

This run is really amazing. It was just on Aug. 19 that I wrote about passing $10,000 for the first time. And now, about 2.5 months later, I've doubled my bankroll.

But I'm skeptical. Or maybe I'm just paranoid after watching the movie "Casino" last night.

If gambling is a trap, then maybe it's only a matter of time before I start losing money. Maybe I will develop compulsive tendencies. Maybe I will be tempted to play other games. Maybe I'll go on a bad run and have a hard time stepping down in limits. Maybe I'll lose respect for the money and blow it.

If gambling isn't a trap, then why have I been winning so much for so long? Has my game really advanced that far?

Poker is an anomaly in the gambling world. It's one of the few games where the house isn't necessarily out to get you. The casino usually wants all your fucking money. In poker, the online casino has learned to be content to take a $3 rake from most hands.

The only way to be safe is to stay on guard. I've done damn well so far to stay disciplined and avoid tilt. I've made rules for myself and I stick to them pretty well. I don't play casino games I have no business playing. I limit my sessions to 2 hours. I'm a stickler for table selection. I don't get too emotional about big wins or losses. I play within my bankroll. I concentrate on my game.

Everyone seems to be asking, "How long can the poker boom last? How long before all the fish bust out?"

Perhaps the better question is, "When will my luck run out?"

Without constant vigilance, focus and discipline, anyone could end up as a fish.

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4 comments:

Rod said...

Congrats - what limits are you playing dude. I'm hopefully 1 day away from the 25K mark in 2/4 ba.iscally but it's been 2 years.

Hold'm will die sooner or later to be replaces with something else. Backgammon was the rage at one point remember. BUT - ride the pony as long as you can!!! It'll be a while!

Gnome said...

grinder: I made the jump to $15/$30 limit hold 'em only a few days ago. Let's hope it stays profitable.

kurokitty said...

who the fuck is that with the turban?

kurokitty said...

just kidding. Of course it is the surly poker gnome!

Congratulations!