Back from an enforced break

Pud's Poker Progress / Matthew Pitt / 10 July 2008 / 2

About a week ago I was sat on the sofa, fingers at the ready (writes Yorkshire Pud), about to start an article for the Betfair WSOPE site when my laptop decided to go and die on me!

At first I thought I had just pulled the power adaptor out of the back like I must do thirty times a day but no, after five years of abuse, it has finally given up the will to live! I cannot really complain though as it has done very well for me since I got it as an insurance replacement after a burglary to my old house. It has been dropped, had keys prized off by toddlers, had beer/wine/coffee spilled on it, been punched by me after a bad beat and for the past three months has been on from 0700 until midnight every night.

So I had to say goodbye to my bankroll so that I could continue with my "normal" life which was a bit of a downer, especially as I had won this bankroll on the back of being staked so it was my hard-earned money. To my surprise though, the guys at Raise The River all had a whip round and I have somehow ended up with a $210 bankroll again! LOL! It is an absolutely brilliant community on there with everyone willing to help each other out in times of need.

During my enforced break I have mainly just chilled out and messed about on the Playstation. I am a total sucker for war games and managed to complete Call of Duty 2 which I have had for ages but never really played. I've now moved on to Call of Duty 3 and Metal Gear Solid 3, I am a 27 year old child! I have also had time to reflect on poker and my playing in particular.

Once again I have become focussed on the money aspect of the game, chasing bonuses and loyalty deals instead of sitting down and enjoying myself, which is ultimately what it is all about. It is entertainment after all. I cannot remember the last time I sat down at a table and really felt comfortable in my own play and observing my opponents due to becoming so wrapped up in the short-term results rather than just making plays that, over time, will be profitable mathematically.

As my bankroll has been severely depleted I have had to pause my $5k in 200 days challenge, mainly because I just do not have one required to play the tournaments that I was playing before disaster struck. The plan for the next month is to basically rebuild my bankroll, pay the people who bailed me out back (although none have said they want it back) and first and foremost, start to enjoy the game again.

I will only be playing when I want to and not just because I have an hour or two spare and playing poker is what I usually do in my spare time. I'm also going to make myself take detailed notes on players and their betting patterns because when my laptop died it took with it my tracking software and my HUD so I will literally be playing blind again like I was before I discovered this software. Long term this is actually better for me as it will develop skills but I really need to make enough cash to buy another tracking program just so I can analyse my game. Once this has been purchased I should be able to start making some real money as my new system, once my 2GB RAM turns up tomorrow, can support nine tables without overlap where the laptop could only handle four. Kerching!

Well that is all for now, as always, thanks for reading and best of luck at the tables!

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Hairy Gymnast | 10 July 2008

Your laptop lasted five years...my one decided to be really annoying and work, but just not let me be able to see the display. Which isn't great for a laptop..
LuckyStraights | 11 July 2008

Sorry to hear about the laptop troubles. Are you using Poker Tracker, I've always assumed it works the same way as Poker Office. Could you not download the software then ask them to re-send you the serial key due to your circumstance.

It won't help get your database back, but hopefully you won't have to purchase the software again.

Best of luck xxx