Tips for Building to Pro

Okay, it's been awhile, and after some comments and things I think it's time to get back to our bread and butter. Poker tips and strategy. This time I'm not going to talk about playing hands, but I'd like to discuss the things I've put down as my personal tips on how to climb up the poker ladder and one day make pro.

I don't think our headsup with Jordan is going to end up happening since he's been so busy lately, but I decided to join his 45 person tourney challenge. I only recognized two of the players so I think I should probably be one of the top favorites.

Anyway, of course, I've got the goods. As usual.

1. Start small. This may seem obvious, but if you ask Hellmuth or Ivey or Raymer they will all tell you that they started small. Think about it. If you start big by playing $10,000 no limit, then why would you even want to go pro? LOL! I started with $200 in my pokerstars account. I put about $150 into Doyle's and Full Tilt. Right now Doyle's is really my favorite because it is just full of tourists. And that's where you want to play. If there are fish everywhere, you can start small, and build up.

2. Build up. Be careful not to spend all of your stash on one tourney, or to play at a table where if you lose your stack you'll go broke. I started out playing NL$25, and have moved up to NL$50 and NL$100. My goal is to be playing the $200 and higher games by early summer. This would put me at my final goal of playing $1000 and higher by next winter. Even if you only make half your stack at these tables that's $500. And if you multiply $500 by 300 you get $150,000. That's right, the big bucks. And notice I only multiplied it by 300, so that means I get 65 days off. Can you say vacation?

3. Stay strong. Do NOT lower your guard at any level. Even if you lose a bit at the higher levels and have to go back down, you have to stay strong. When I first went up to $50 I lost for a week straight and almost went broke. I got down to $75 left and went back to $25NL and stayed strong. I built it back up and moved up again. Sometimes you have to take one step back if you want to take more forward. I'm marching forward stronger than ever right now. It's also important I think to take some losses. Now, don't go out and lose on purpose, but if you know what it's like to lose, it will teach you how to deal with it. I've talked about it before but this is all one session, and if you want to be a champion you can't get too high or too low.

4. Stay focused. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and you have to stay focused. Every person has a different light, and mine is to win a bracelet. Most people is to get rich, and the way I look at it, if I win a bracelet I will be rich too! So, I guess you can say I'm going to get the best of both worlds. The goal is to be on a beach sipping umbrella drinks while your gold World Champion bracelet shines in the sun. Not everyone will get there. It takes focus more than anything. That and determination.

5. Never Give Up. The second you give up your journey is over. Think about all the drills you had to do in high school. Wind sprints, suicides, tackle drills, death valleys, and all the stuff that would practically kill you. We all know now it only makes you better. Like the saying if it doesn't kill you it will only make you stronger. Same thing with poker. Play more hands, win some and lose some, and learn. Once you give up it's over. Remember that.


Those are my main five tips that I have on my desk. Before I sit down to play I read them over one at a time.
1. Start Small.
2. Build Up.
3. Stay Strong.
4. Stay Focused.
5. Never Give Up.

It's funny because if you read what I've been talkign about lately you can use these points for almost anything. When I read these I could also use them for relationships. Just think about it. You want to start small with getting to know someone. Then you want to build up your foundation with them. You need to stay strong to show them your character. Stay focused on where you want the relationship to go, and NEVER GIVE UP. That Step 5 is the most important. I can't stress it enough.

If you have anything about your poker steps to becoming a big time player, you can share them with me. I shared these because I think they will help, and it also doesn't actually tell anyone what hands I play or how I play them so they can't use that against me LOL! Anyway, if you'd like to share that's cool. If not that's okay too, I just think that's how we'll all grow together. Who knows there may be a few of us drinking those umbrella drinks with our bracelets LOL!

I hope all your pots are fat and juicy like mine!


Play Like a Champion Today.