Home
(10 votes) 
I've been a bit of a lurker, taking in as many awesome videos as possible and improving my game along the way. Now I think it's time for me to get HYPER active as I prepare for the next big poker challenge in my life. I posted the below thread in 2p2 and copied for everyone here… I'm open to all sorts of tips, advice, and may seek a mentor as I go through this journey. Please enjoy! – Tim “da Chimp”
——————–
Part of being in the US Air Force is that I get stationed all over the
world! I have been able to escape most of the mess associated with BF
because I’ve had the opportunity to live in Europe for the past 4yrs…
but now it is time for me to move back to the U.S. But not just
anywhere in the U.S.— LAS VEGAS!
This is my second tour to Las Vegas. About 15 yrs ago I was introduced
to poker while living in Vegas. Damn I was such a fish back then… LOL!
I learned from the school of hard knocks before being introduced to several books (Harrington on Hold’em and SuperSystem).
I quickly moved from the lower limit holdem games to NLH and MTTs as
that’s where the money and excitement was at. Shortly after reading my
first book I took down my first $50 tourny at Planet Hollywood for
around $750. I continued to learn more and more about live tournament
play with several more cashes at the lower buy-in MTTs… until I was
introduced to online poker and all that it has to offer. I find live to
be much softer than online at times as there is so much more info and
only one tournament to focus on. I like to consider myself a part time
recreational player that loves the game and its concepts, and is
dedicated to studying it like it’s no one’s business!
So now that I’m moving back to Vegas with a ton more experience and a
deeper poker network, I’m going to attempt to take my game to the next
level. My goal is to take my starting BR ($6K) grind lower limit MTTs
($60-80) until I can move up in stakes to play $100-200 tournies. The
plan is to continue this pattern until I’m regularly playing the higher
stake daily MTTs ($500+) and to be able to play multiple WSOP events in
2013. Of course during the course of this I will be working full-time
still.
Several poker friends have told me I need to capture this, blog about
it, and share the story as it unfolds. So this is where the grind
begins…
I’m moving to Vegas in the middle of Jan 2012 (just in time for DSE but
outside of my BR at that time). Due to my excitement I’ve research all
strip and off strip casinos that offer MTTs. I know the buy-in, start
times, blind levels, starting stacks, etc… I’m a bit obsessive I guess.
This is key as I will attempt to be a BR nit due to the variance
associated with MTTs. The first couple of weeks I’ll be looking for a
place to live (apartment, condo, etc) and a car. And then I’ll be able
to monitor the primary casinos that offer MTTs in the current price
range for my BR. I think surveillance and getting to know the staff of
the poker room will be key to knowing which places have the best value
and on what days are best.
I’ll try to keep this posted as I get closer to my move. I will also use
this post as I attempt this complete this goal… take the wild ride
with me.
TPE Management
April 6, 2010
Offline
Good luck!!!!
Killingbird said:
Good luck!!!!
Thx KB! I'll have my work cut out for me for sure. The first object (after finding a place to live) is to reach my goal is to get out of the low limits ($60-80) as soon as possible so I can start shooting for bigger prize pools ($125-200 MTTs). However since I don't move until January I'll be studying my ass off, and hope that I start off with a couple of successful months so I can start mixing in the next level of stakes. 
October 6, 2010
Offline
sounds like you have some good goals there, good luck. few questions
1. ever thought of playing live cash? it seems to be that it would be a massive grind playing those really small tourneys.
2. what sort of rake is standard in vegas for a $50 tourney? In australia it would be like 15-20%
3. can you get tourneys in that price range that have decent structures? obviously you wouldn't wanna play all day either, but are they all hyper turbos or are there some decent ones?
definitely keep a blog going, it will be interesting to see how you go since you are probably following the dream of most of us recreational-but-serious players on this site
Benny, thanks! I'll reply and answer this when I return from work. Unfortunately I have to run to work… It is indeed going to be exciting! 
Benny,
Let me provide some details on the pondering points…
“1. ever thought of playing live cash? it seems to be that it would be a massive grind playing those really small tourneys.”
Yes, there will some live cash on the weekends mostly. This will be used as a BR builder and to clock time for the weaker freerolls that casinos offer as a promo. I'll def be looking for value (i.e. monthly $25K freeroll for clocking 20hrs of play in a month)… the way I see it is I can play with table selction & time on my side (+ev), there will be some people that don't show up to their freeroll (other plans, tourists, etc), and there WILL be weak tournament players in the freeroll (old nits, pure cash players, recreational players, etc). So between the cash games & the freerolls, these will be my EXTRA BR builders.
“2. what sort of rake is standard in vegas for a $50 tourney? In australia it would be like 15-20%”
Correct once again! The rake is a bit ridiculous for the MTTs at the lower limits. For example, Binions offers a 7pm game ($75 buy-in of which $17 is the rake) that takes ~22% rake. I'll use …..spoker.com, word of mouth (from friends, poker room managers, etc) to find the most value (gtd prize pool tournies; larger turn out–more up top; cheap rake; etc). There is no doubt I need to climb out of the $60-80 MTT scene ASAP so I can start working on earning a nice score at the $100-150 level.
“3. can you get tourneys in that price range that have decent structures?
obviously you wouldn't wanna play all day either, but are they all
hyper turbos or are there some decent ones?”Ummmm… some but not very many. As you pointed out some borderline a level of hyper turbo, which I'm ok with for a few reasons: I prob understand push/fold much better than the average tourist and I can get more volume in less time (= climbing out of the live micros soonest
I really appreciate you looking this over and asking questions. It helps me a ton as there might be one thing I over looked… but I've tried to be very thorough. I even have a decent stop-loss plan as I attempt this challenge… but I'll explain next time. I have to run right now.
Please add mohr
Ok, I'm back… I'll cut and paste my stop loss plan that I posted in the “other” forum, I'd like to hear what you think:
The plan right now, based on my schedule (work, poker, and life), is to
play 4 to 6 tournies a week, and on holiday weekends to get a couple
more in due to vacationers in the LV. This is a solid amount of volume
at the lower stakes that will enable me to move up more quickly as the
first objective of this goal is to quickly get out of the lower limit
tournies. With a 6K starting BR, I will begin mixing in 1x $125 per week
when BR reaches 8K (2x week @ 9K & full time when @ 10K).In order to prevent a complete bust, I'm implementing a stop loss plan.
As I grind the lower limits and I go on a complete downward spiral, I
will stop & re-evaluate this challenge if my BR hits $2500 (that
would be approx 58 MTTs w/ no cashes at this level LOL). This stop loss
plan obviously includes dropping back down to previous levels if BR
begins to drop to the previous BR requirement (when I begin playing $125
fulltime, I will go back to $60-80 when BR reaches 6K again). To me
this would mean I'm either running terrible, I'm the fish @ the tables,
I'm extremely unlucky, or this wasn't meant to be.So that I improve as I move through the stakes, I will post interesting
spots/hands in this thread, continue to learn about tells (betting,
verbal, and non-verbal), and continue to learn from others that are already
beating the next level.
October 6, 2010
Offline
good luck with it!
wish i could put in that sort of volume, i havent played online in like a month because i am so busy – if TPE was blocked at work i would'nt post here either.
keep us up to date
UPDATES:
I'm not sure if it's a sign, or if I have sucker written across my
forehead… but shortly after I get into town the WSOP circuit is
hitting Cesars. There are some tournies that I'm thinking about playing
(outside of current BR) as a “Welcome to Las Vegas”! I would take any
profits and add them to the 6K starting BR… as if I wasn't excited
enough! I also ran into a live grinder w/ some deep connections that is
going to provide some insight!
I placed an ad (2+2, sn: daChimp) selling a very small
piece (30% for a fun sweat) of the “Welcome to Las Vegas” action w/ NO mark-up… but the reserves sold sooooo fast that I went to the waitlist and sold out 50% in 1.5 days! I'll be using my “ONEEEEEE TIMMMMMEEEEEE” here 😉
On another note, I had my first coaching session in quite some time and
lilman2636 definitely gave me some additional pointers/concepts to think
about during a live ghosting session. I'm looking to gather as much
information as I can handle, decipher it, apply it and then adapt it so
it's MINE. I'm continuing to chat with live MTT players, follow twitter, watch live MTT (replays) to pick up on various tells, watch the amazing TPE vids, and post hands with some trusted advisors ;)…
I think my wife is getting a tad bitter that I'm spending so much time
improving my game and applying it, especially since I'll be leaving in
about 2 months (and be gone for the next 1-2yrs w/ vacations/vists being
the exception). Luckily I'm pretty decent at balancing life/poker and
I'll get her to forget that Sundays are not only for NFL.
Ok, that's all I got for now. I'm getting super excited for this opportunity. If you're from the Vegas area, don't hesitate to drop me a line…
October 6, 2010
Offline
definitely dont neglect the mrs though mate, you will regret that later
Benny, I def agree! It's all good though… she goes through these phases (like a f'n roller coaster) at times. She is mostly supportive of what I do, what I represent, and what I bring to our marriage. Like I said I normally have good life balance, but when she goes on the downward slop on this roller coaster while I'm 4hrs into a MTT session… ummm… I sit out and talk to her a bit (even though I might be giving up some very +ev spots in game, I'm gaining them back IRT). Typically, that will work until the session is over and I am able to focus 110% again.
Luckily when I move to Vegas she will not be making the move with me… it's complicated (she's staying behind to focus on her career while I finish up Military and rejoin her in 1-2yrs).
I feel like this goal/challenge thread just turned to the Diary of Anne Frank and giving away my deepest thoughts/secrets. LOL Thanks Dr. Phil
October 6, 2010
Offline
haha 😀
nah i am speaking from experience, there was a time when i was going out 3 times a week to play, but needless to say that didn't work out. now i go out once every 1 or 2 weeks, and mostly play online when wifey is in bed, so it works well.
I haven't posted in while so I'll give the quick Thanksgiving hangover update–burp!
The movers are here this week packing my crap up. It'll be interesting mot having a ton of my belongings for around 1 month. “Hey, have you seen my XYZ? Sh%t the movers packed it!!!” Still focused on the pot of gold awaiting at the end of the rainbow (Vegas baby!)
Speaking of Vegas, I posted a couple of share selling packages on 2p2 (sn: daChimp) for WSOP-c @ Cesars & Deep Stack Extravaganza (DSE) @ V… the WSOP-c sold out in two days and just a couple of shares left for DSE. What a time to arrive in Vegas… I'll scurry to find an apartment, renew my drivers license, put a bed together, and buy-in to the series of events.
To help keep me focused and to share in my roller coaster ride I created a blog tracking this challenge… …..m/daChimp/
Feel free to stop by and get updates frequently. I was messing around with Camtasia and finally got it to work, so I made my first poker video ($20fo on PartyPoker) and posted it on the blog as well. There are a couple of technical glitches and I was randomly talking like I was coaching someone (more like mimicing my coach/regurgitating info provided from coaches/videos & introducing my own jargon LOL). Ehhh…binked it! LOL I do warn you, it is not for the squimish or with a weak stomach–very aggro & a bit spewy.
I'll try to update this site once a week (or so). Feel free to hit me up on here, in 2p2, or at blog if you're coming to Vegas.
Love this thread/challenge. Think it sounds like a huge grind but a ton of fun as well. By the way, I was also in the AF for 6 years active duty. I started playing when I was in and many times I dreamed of getting stationed in Vegas and trying to live the dream. So I am gonna live vicariously through you on this on :). Best of luck!!!
hawkeyeK9 said:
Love this thread/challenge. Think it sounds like a huge grind but a ton of fun as well. By the way, I was also in the AF for 6 years active duty. I started playing when I was in and many times I dreamed of getting stationed in Vegas and trying to live the dream. So I am gonna live vicariously through you on this on :). Best of luck!!!
Thanks hawkeyeK9! I presume you were SF dog handler based on your sn here. I'm toward the end of a very fullfilling AF career (21+ yrs) and positioned to take on a bigger role in the civilian world (not that civilians would understand this 
) but I want to take it easy for a while… hence going after poker to suplement my military retirement begining in 2013.
Yes, this will be my 2nd time back being stationed at Nellis. 1st time I fell in love with the game, got a ton of bumps & bruises learning from the school of hard knocks, and had some minor tourny success. This time around though… LOOK OUT! I have a crap-ton of experience, 100's of hours studying the game, coaches/mentors/skype groups/backers–it'll be a new era in my poker playing.
Some of my closest poker buds stated I should chart my adventures and blog about it so that it keeps me on track & focused. Between posting in this awesome site, on 2p2 (mehhhh quality), and my personal blog I think this will help. I prob won't have time to post to all of them all of the time, but I'll do my best.
Take it easy,
Tim
Was an AGE mechanic then Quality Assurance Inspector my last two years. I see how my name might make u think the sf dog handler.
This is a great thread! You got a great attitude and so I look forward to watching your success
m8! Keep it up and good luck 😉
pce
Time for a 2012 update 
First I'm frustrated as this is the 2nd time I'm writing this as I accidentally closed the page after finishing up the 1st draft 
Only 16 more days until I arrive in Vegas to really get this PGC into full swing! I've booked a week @ aguskb's crib until my place is set up
**sick place** Aaron is a sick MTT grinder and would def be +ev to get to know the local grinders and be able to improve my game further by
discussing hands/situations. There have been several 2+2 members/Vegas locals that have been helping me with achieving my goal: MSchu, Swollen1, and
Wardrums. [Image Can Not Be Found] THANK YOU!!!
I've been really working on my MTT game and I'm seeing the results. Made another final table this week 
, 3 FTs with a month (not bad for a parttime grinder). Some of the things I've been working on to assist me in achieving this goal include:
[x] chatting with strong MTT regs (almost daily, mostly via Skype)
[x] HH reviews (mine and other's)
[x] reading (books, articles, and forums) and writing about all things poker (wrote series on mental game @ http://www.pokereverything.com) 
[x] watching a ton of videos on TPE
[x] memorizing solid MTT push/fold
[x] playing on various sites to apply skills/concepts/stay current
[x] working on hand range reading and equity versus various hand ranges
GL at the tables and may you have a prosperous 2012 (unless you're at my table 
)
Most Users Ever Online: 2780
Currently Online:
25 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
bennymacca: 2616
Foucault: 2067
folding_aces_pre_yo: 1133
praetor: 1033
theginger45: 924
P-aire 146: 832
Turbulence: 768
The Riceman: 731
duggs: 591
florianm1: 588
Newest Members:
Tillery999
sdmathis89
ne0x00
adrianvaida2525
Anteeater
Laggro
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 12705
Posts: 75003
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1063
Members: 12008
Moderators: 2
Admins: 5
Administrators: RonFezBuddy, Killingbird, Tournament Poker Edge Staff, ttwist, Carlos
Moderators: sitelock, sitelock_1
