As a graduation gift my Dad bought me a second Samsung LCD 20.1 inch monitor. It is the same brand and model of the one that I currently had. Having two monitors allows me to play a few more tables at a time, plus giving me plenty of desktop space so that I can talk with friends and surf the Internet while playing or watch movies while I play. I've only had it up and operational for about five days now, but I absolutely love it.

I talked with a few friends earlier in the semester and they said that once I went dual monitor I would never look back.... and they were exactly right. If anyone is debating whether to get a second monitor for a dual setup, DO IT. I guarantee you will not regret it.

I've had two sessions at the $50 buyin, trying to build my bankroll up before my June 17 - 20 trip to Vegas. I was profitable in both. I won $100 the first night for roughly $25 an hour, and I won $40 the second night for roughly $20 an hour. Definitely a much needed victory for me. At this point any profit was good.

The one week off really helped me clear my mind. I probably should have taken some time off after my two initial bad sessions. I don't think my game was affected too much after that, but even if it was remotely affected I should have known to take the time off. Oh well. Live and learn.

So my first session at $100 buyin did not work out too well. Down $360 in about an hour and a half. Only about $90 was really my fault, I made a dumb call on the river (as usual.) Other than that $90, the rest of the losses were typical.... set over set (my last three sets have been set over set, with me being the loser each time), over pair vs flush draw (he hits on river, all in on turn), and top pair top kicker (he turns two pair after all in on flop, AK v KQ, flop K63Q2).

After this session, I took an oath that I will not play poker for a week. I need to clear my head and try and put this awful losing streak to an end. I think I may have to drop to the $50 buyin seeing as how my bankroll on Full Tilt Poker is only $800 now. I don't know, I might play the $50 buyin a few sessions and then jump to the $100 when my bank roll gets to $1000.

For the time being, I am going to try and clear my mind of all things poker for the next week. HA. I make no guarantees.

I had hoped I would never have to say this. Due to my recent bad run, I have decided to drop in stakes from playing the $200 buyin to the $100 buyin cash games. In the last ten days or so I have seen my bankroll go from about $2700 to $950. Ouch. Down $1750 in about ten days, not exactly the expected result for my 11.5 hours of work. LOL...just ran some numbers, lost about $150 an hour. SWEET.

Hopefully I can run better at the $100 buyin. I figure 10 or so buyins at the $100 should be enough (haha knock on wood.)

All in all, I think I am handling it pretty well. I've had some help from a few friends that have been in the same position as me before.

Let's hope that I don't have to blog about another first time for everything. What's the one thing that is worse than dropping in stakes as a poker player? One word.... it rhymes with HERO.

I just can't win anymore. I've now hit the worst run of cards in my life (granted my life, especially my poker life, has been very limited so far). It is absolutely unbelievable the number of incredibly ridiculous situations I have been in in the last week or so.

I understand that I just need to toughen up and play through this down swing. I hate poker. I really do. It's a fun game to play casually, as a hobby, but I do not see how ANYONE can do this for a living. I suppose this is why most "professional" poker players never make it in the world. Many try to become a "professional", but very few survive.

Honestly, it is a horrible way to live. If anyone has any advice on how to deal with the swings in poker, please let me know. Poker is a great game when played correctly. Correctly means with adequate bankroll and without fear. Fear is what good poker players prey on. People who play in fear at the table are just looking to be check raised :)

I always find myself in these sticky situations with QQ. I know the limper has a solid hand (there aren't too many hands that a person will limp UTG, and reraise.. basically KK, AA, and AK)

I've played with this guy several times before, and he seems like a pretty straight forward player. I do not think I can fold this hand, especially in position. I think if the flop bricks, and he checks, I will make a 3/4 pot bet. If he raises, I can safely assume he has KK or AA. Also, if he bets out on the flop, like he did, I can easily throw my hand away. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Full Tilt Poker Game #2352479073: Table Orange Vale - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:06:19 ET - 2007/05/04
Seat 1: BingoUK ($311.50)
Seat 2: Yowsers ($289.40)
Seat 3: MeRockStar ($132.75)
Seat 4: BareAce11 ($231.60)
Seat 5: mariojr ($200)
Seat 6: Portugeezer ($200)
Seat 7: gxurman ($112.65)
Seat 8: joesxm ($193.60), is sitting out
Seat 9: PotofGreed2 ($220.80)
MeRockStar posts the small blind of $1
BareAce11 posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Yowsers [Qc Qs]
mariojr calls $2
Portugeezer folds
gxurman folds
PotofGreed2 calls $2
BingoUK folds
Yowsers raises to $10
MeRockStar folds
BareAce11 folds
mariojr raises to $30
PotofGreed2 folds
Yowsers calls $20
*** FLOP *** [2c 4h Ah]
mariojr bets $47
Yowsers folds
Uncalled bet of $47 returned to mariojr
mariojr mucks
mariojr wins the pot ($62)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $65 | Rake $3
Board: [2c 4h Ah]
Seat 1: BingoUK didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Yowsers (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: MeRockStar (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: BareAce11 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: mariojr collected ($62), mucked
Seat 6: Portugeezer didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: gxurman didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: joesxm is sitting out
Seat 9: PotofGreed2 folded before the Flop