Hey everyone,

I've been lacking motivation recently, and in order to give myself a boost, I thought I'd create a blog in order to post my progress to the world and maybe receive some feedback. I've got a chance of a lifetime...and I just need to make the best of it.

My Story:

Every poker player has a story. Mine's pretty sad. Got into online poker a few years ago and lost a lot of money...only about $800 but I was young and that's a lot of money to an 18 year old. I went through several phases of quitting, starting again, building a roll, tilting it, and quitting again.

I finally lucked out. I was down to my last $29 and said F*** it...and signed up for the nightly $27.50 on stars. Well what do you know...I got second for $3200. Now, I've watched the hand history and my gosh I'm embarrassed. Every donk has their day I guess.

Well I cashed out $1600 putting me up $800 for good and started grinding 50NL. I made about $600 and then tilted....really bad. I had about 2k in my account...lost a bunch at 50NL, and decided to play heads up 100/200 to try to get it back. 5 minutes and the $2000 was gone.

I'm glad it happened...it was then and there I learned how much of an idiot I was. I had been really upset when I had lost 300 before...but I just laughed at this. I realized I had no idea to play poker, no idea how to control myself, and that it was my fault. To this day, I have never tilted since.

I started studying the game, signing up for training sites, and started to build a roll actually playing within my limits. I made about $500 and decided to quit.

About a year later, this past January, I decided to play again. I told myself..."I will put on $100. If I bust it I'm done. I've got to prove to myself I'm capable of this."

Now you're probably saying...oh right I'm sure. But no I'm serious. To this day, if I bust...I'm done.

I started grinding...slowly building. I discovered a staking site...played a few stakes and decided to post a BAP (Stake with several backers) for $500. I didn't ever imagine it would sell out. A few people took 10 bucks of the action (I had a 70/30 backer's cut on it) but then, to my delight, I found one day that Jayc170 had stated, "I'll take the rest."

Long story short, Jayc170 is a 6 max turbo SNG grinder coached by BBallwiz and is about +$11k in SNGs alone. He took me under his wing, coached me, and I was able to double that first bap when I final tabled the $8.80 on stars. AA<QQ all in preflop out 6th FML. I played a few more BAPs and they broke even and I cut them short due to college time restrictions.

Jayc170 (Joe) continued to coach me and I improved leaps and bounds. I switched to 6 max turbo SNGs and made a solid amount at that...dabbled in some cash...and experimented in a few other games.

He continues to coach me to this day, and I am very grateful as he is giving me a chance of a lifetime. I've made him money, but he's given me so much more. I thought I was a good player, but after almost a year of him coaching me, I realize how naive I was. I still have tons to learn, but I've got a better hold on this game.

Well, yesterday I went out on a limb and asked Joe if he'd stake me $1000 for an All action stake. To my surprise he said yes, and this blog is going to be the story of this stake. I've turned the original $100 into about $350...should be a bit more but I lost about 150 in investments lol. I could play on my own dime, but I love the coaching and can play higher limits playing backed.

I'm going to start off playing .05/.10 NL. I will move to 25NL when I reach +$125 for this level. I'll be playing micro MTTs and low stake SNGs as well.

My goal is to slowly grind this stake up, moving up in stakes, and eventually establishing myself as a respected player. It may take a few years, but I know I can do it.

Wish me luck guys, I'm climbing Everest...Day One Today :D