"Sometimes you just feel tired. You feel weak, and when you feel weak you feel like you just want to give up. But you gotta search within you, find that inner- strength and pull that shit outta you. Get that motivation to not give up and not be a quitter no matter how bad you want to fall flat on your face."

"Till I Collapse"
Eminem



I can think of no other words so befitting a full time online poker grinder can use better then this excerpt from this Eminem song. I must admit that most of my life, especially after my athletic career was over that I fit the antithesis of this statement. When things get tough the easiest thing to do is quit. It is so easy to just make excuses and say things like: "I really didnt want this anyways"....

Being a full time poker player the daily challenge of wanting to give up can get overwhelming at times especially due to the very nature of the ups & downs of the game. I like to listen to this song and repeat these words everyday before I begin my days session. Not only is it motivating music, but it is also valuable words of wisdom.

So for all you Poker grinders out there, when times get tough dont give into the natural instinct to quit. Bare down and focus on your play and the results will come in time.

Grind Grind Grind

I am 1 min-cash in my last 60 games and running very poorly over my last 150 games.

Gonna 9 - 12 table 4/180 MTT-S&Gs the rest of the week and try vigorously to avoid a reload...


Runs like these always get me in the blues, but some of the things I am doing is helping me keep my focus.

Just have to play through it.

Think like a Winner

I read a nice list yesterday on 6 steps to think like a winner. Psychology has taught us that winning is not a random result but a result of how a person views life. There very thoughts are played out in their actions.


Enjoy :)

1. Whatever challenges you face, focus on the future rather than the past. Instead of worrying about who did what or who is to blame, focus on where you want to be and what you want to do.


2. Whenever you're faced with a difficulty, focus on the solution rather than on the problem. Think and talk about the ideal solution to the obstacle or setback, rather than wasting time rehashing and reflecting on the problem.


3. Assume that something good is hidden within each difficulty or challenge. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale used to say, "Whenever God wants to give us a gift, he wraps it up in a problem."


4. Assume that whatever situation you are facing at the moment is exactly the right situation you need to ultimately be successful.


5. In every challenge, look for a valuable lesson. Assume that every setback contains a lesson that is essential for you to learn.


6. Whenever you have a goal that is unachieved, a difficulty that is unresolved, or a problem that is blocking you from getting where you want to go, sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of every single thing that you could possibly do to resolve the situation.

Time to bring out the Balboa in myself

The first few weeks of this year I really did not put the kind of effort I know will be required for me to succeed. Now that my Dad is doing better I will be able to focus more.

Here is my plan for 2010. I have solid backing by a good friend and excellent player Brad McFarland(philivey6922-Stars mustbeniceimo-FTP).

SamuraiPlaya 2010 plan on PokerStars

(minimum)15,000 games played:

* 5,000 180-max MTT/S&G's (15-20 per/day based on 5-day week)
- 4,000(x) $4.40/180's
- 750(x) $11/180's
- 250(x) $22/180's

* 3,500 90-max MTT/S&G's (15-20 per/day based on 5-day week)
- 2,500(x) $2.20/90's
- 1,000(x) $5.50 - $11/90's

* 3,500 27/45-max S&G's (5-8 per/day based on 5-day week)
- 3,500(x) $3.40 - $11/ 27-max & 45-max non turbo S&G's

* 3,000 MTT's -all GTD's & rebuys (10 per/day average based on 6-day week. Bulk will be played in a one day Saturday or Sunday all MTT slate each week)
- 3,000(x) $3.30 - $22 GTD MTT's on Stars

*Daily Monday thru Friday will be 80% S&G's, 20% MTT's. Saturday or Sunday will be a strictly MTT day whereby I will play anywhere from 15-25 MTTs
with total buy-ins from $150 - $250. One day per/week will be set aside to rest.

SUMMARY:
Total games = 15,000 (minimum) (approx 50 games per/day based on 6-day week)
- 80% 27-max thru 180-max non turbo S&G's
- 20% GTD MTT's including reb's on Stars(Tournies on FTP/UB will be added periodically as agreed by both parties)
- ABI will aprox = $10 per/game (the goal is to play the above 15k games for entire calender year 2010)
- BR required = $5,000 gives us a minimum 500 buy-ins
- bonuses for backer(s) include all FPP will be put into sattelites and/or direct buy-ins whereby backer(s) get 50/50 prizepool.
- bonuses for backer(s) include first opportunity at all my SCOOP/WCOOP/WSOP/FTOPS/CASH game.
(will discuss moving some profits/bankroll to FTP and UB to take advantage of the hiigh value tournies sites as the bankroll increases)
- expectation will be anywhere between $20k and $50k profit based on a minimum 25% ROI across all games.


I have implemented a few personal rules I will be following for the next few months that I was inspired by the Lord through meditation and prayer to implement:

* I will only look at my results and cashier once per/week at weeks end when I send staker update.

* I will not follow others results, I need nothing outside of focusing on my own game in order to give myself the best chance to succeed.

* I will not engage in social things during the week when I play such as AIM, Skype etc... I need ALL my focus to be centered on my chores, my prayer, exercise/workout, and my own play at the tables.

* As a wise man once said: "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing". I think in the past I have forgotten that valuable piece of wisdom. This game is not a game to me, it is my life right now and my success or failure will be directly related to how much effort I put forth.

(The Poker Life) Monday Feb 22nd-2010

I am playing full time on PokerStars in 2010 for my entire income. Although my average buy-in will be $10 or less it still qualifies me as a pro playing full time. The smaller buy-in only makes it more difficult to prosper well and almost impossible unless I play a really hi volume amount of games.

So far after 3 weeks I have played about 325 games which is behind pace by 1/3. Even so at this lesser pace I have started out on a 40 buy-in downswing .

The Poker life is a difficult one that often leaves us lonely, stressed and even question our own abilities and confidence at times. I will do as I was taught all my life by the greatest people I know, my parents, and that is to get up day after day and continue on no matter what. As one of my favorite quotes dictate: "I will persist until I succeed" Og Mandino