A Look Foward

Just like everyone else, I'm going to put down my thoughts on what I want to do/change in 2008.

First off, something non poker/blogging related. I mentioned it in an earlier post:
**Lose Weight. I need to drop about 50 pounds, and I want to do that in the new year. I have a "bet" going with my father-in-law, whoever loses the most (we're the same weight and he's about a foot and a half short than I), treats the other to a night in Foxwoods. Basically it's a bet I can't lose since I can't afford to pay for a night at Foxwoods.

Now I'll switch gears and move over to the poker/blogger items.
**Get More From Poker Books. I've only a few:
- Winning Low Limit Poker by Lee Jones
- Real Deal by Phil Gordon (also known as the "Little Black Book")
- Harrington on Hold'em: Volume 1 by Dan Harrington
- Read 'Em and Reap by Joe Navarro
- Super System 2 by Doyle Brunson (basically just the NLHE section)

Now to get more out of those, I definitely need to read some of those again, but I'll just focus on Navarro's, Harrington's and Super System (maybe even Lee Jones' book if I start playing limit online). I also intend on purchasing and reading two more:
- Harrington on Hold'em: Volume 2 (and 3)
- The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition

One of the problems I have with reading is that I prefer fiction, so many times, I lose interest in some of the poker books.

Now onto the poker side of thing. First, for something NEW.

**Sit at a Live Cash Game, that's NOT only Texas Hold 'em- If I get to Vegas this will probably be easier. Most mixed games at Foxwoods are beyond my limits. The most likely opportunity is a 1-3 or 1-5 Stud game.

**Play at a Casino/Card room that's NOT Foxwoods- I put this on there, because like every year, I'll be in Florida and there are plenty of card rooms there. The family will also be returning to St. Louis for vacation and I might be able to hit one of those casinos.

This is the key, the main purpose of 2008.

**Improve My Play. Like most people, I want to improve my play, partially by reading (see above), but also by playing, both live and online. I really doubt I'll get too much more live playing in. It's just unlikely.
- Pay more Attention: I really don't do that much at all. Online, I tend to play video games or watch TV or visit blogs. Live, my mind wanders and I fantasize about big pots.
- Try to avoid tilt. Be willing to step away if I need to. I do OK in this regard, but could definitely use improvement.
- Stop making Awfukit calls/pushes. My bottom pair is probably no good there!

As a result of improving my play, these are goals I hope to reach in 2008:
**Build a legitimate Bankroll- I've made my $100 "deposit" on FTP, I want to try to avoid having to reload. Building a bankroll will lead to two other items:

**Cash Out / Make a Profit- I want to maintain a bankroll AND still have some to cash out in order to spend it.

**Move up in limits- Get out of micro limits. I don't have to be playing 2/4 by the end of the year, but I'd like to see me sit comfortably, with a max buy in at either .25/.50 or .50/1.00.

**Subscribe to Poker Xfactor or Cardrunners- I've heard a lot about these sites, but the fees and cost area bit high.

**Get To Vegas- I stated this in a previous post. I want to get to Vegas. I want to make it to a live blogger event. I love Vegas and I need to go.

**Win a Blogger Event- I should probably put in a caveat, the Donkament doesn't count. I took that down this year. I want one of the big 4 (Hoy, Mookie, Riverchasers, The Big Game) or the new Skillz Game.

**Learn Omaha- I know the basic rules, but strategy goes right out the window. May fit nicely with my goal of playing a non Texas Hold 'em live game.

These goals are going to lead to a difficult road ahead, and may even be unattainable in one year for me. Basically we're talking about winning thousands of dollars playing poker when I have YET to be a winning player. But I want to try. Poker is a mental game. I consider myself an intelligent person and if I focus and apply myself, I feel these are goals I can attain.

But there are obstacles to this. The biggest is just Life (no not the board game). I will almost NEVER play poker if I'm home with my family (unless they're napping). If we home together, we're focusing on being together. Whether it be cleaning and/or working around the house, or playing together. My online play is usually early in the morning if I wake up before my daughter, or late at night after my daughter and my wife go to bed. This is why I rarely compete in any AIPS Events, I'm automatically missing 1/2 of the events since I don't play Saturday afternoons.

So while I believe I can approve and am giving myself lofty goals, the biggest obstacle is me and my lack of prioritizing poker. It's a catch-22 to say the least.

Good luck to all of you in 2008... unless you're across the felt from me... then I hope you go card dead.

-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic. But I'm trying to get better.