I only cashed in one event, and that was a 25th place in a Venetian 2k for just under $7K. I didn’t run nearly as bad as last year, which consisted of my flopping the nuts/sets in multiple events, getting all-in and then losing; so this year wasn’t nearly as heartbreaking as last year, but to go one-for-whatever and head home with nothing to show for my six weeks here is still very disappointing.
And I find myself very depressed as I prepare to go home. I spend nearly none of my time at home with other poker players. So pretty much all of my contact with my peers occurs over AIM/Skype and on strategy forums. Being out here is great in that I got to spend SO MUCH time with people whose games I have a tremendous amount of respect for, talking strategy and just generally growing as a player. Going home knowing that I won’t find myself in such an environment for some time is a pretty big bummer.
That’s one reason why I’ve made the decision to start coaching again. It’s something that I did a bit of a while ago when I first started playing seriously but quickly gave up largely out of laziness. Since then I’ve become a much better player and I think that I have quite a bit to offer players looking to take their game to the next level, not only in terms of strategy at the table, but also in terms of how to balance being a serious player and having a life, building the proper mindset to continue playing your best and improve while in a downswing among other things.
I’m also going to start mixing in more cash to my poker diet–including learing new games and playing mixed games–in order to not only increase my bottom line but also to generally sharpen my poker mind.
My immediate plans, though, are to take a deep breath. I’ve been living and breathing poker for a bit over six weeks now and I’m really looking forward to getting back home and spending some time with family and friends who I miss dearly. I just moved back to Vermont, and it seems that I barely got there and settled before I flew out to Vegas for the WSOP.
A huge thanks to the whole TPE family for all the well wishes and support you gave me throughout the series. It helps–more than I can say–in the darkest of times to know that so many people are pulling for you. I apologize for my decreased presense here and assure you that once back home I’ll be back regularly posting in the forums and making videos.
Regards,
Hagbard
Welcome back from the series. Gotta say it is still an impressive feat to have the confidence in yourself and your game to go and challenge yourself against the best and to play well for the amount of time. I am sure a little time off will allow you to come back better and stronger than ever. If you are looking for other games and some diversification may I suggest PL Omaha (Hi I find is easier to start with before Hi/Low). It is a really interesting game strategically from a cash game and if nothing else is a high action affair so it offers something different from Hold’em. Anyway enough rambling, welcome back and looking forward to seeing you more!