My official withdrawal from the 120K Challenge at TGC

[VinnyTheFish]

I have taken myself out of the 120K Quest for the WSOP seat.

Main Reason: A sustainable loss.

My play has been poor. After have positive days (not great, but up) I took a huge beating in the last few hours of Saturday night.

I could very easily throw another lump sum into the account and begin playing again, but in order to hit the 100K hands / 15K rake – I would have to average about 10 hours a day over the next 39 days. This does not seem like a good idea considering the beating that I have been allowing myself to take.

I can very easily blame bad beats, My last hand was a no limit hand, where I flopped a set of 9’s. The Villain had AA and runner-runner hearts gave him a flush. That was a 600+ pot and would have given me some life. But, what’s done is done.

I really want to wish all the players still alive in this quest, the best of luck. I hope you all succeed. Not only get there, but make a profit in the time being. Then, Money at the WSOP.

Me – I need to start over and rebuild my bankroll from the little pile it has become. Maybe, luck will repay me by allowing me to win the WSOP Zoo raffle.

I would also like to thank TOT for allowing this opportunity. Sites that care about the player are the sites that we should support.

[lastcoyote]

I'm sorry to hear this. I understand though. Those bad beats you have reported have all been brutal. I went through a 200 BB downswing this weekend in the challenge. If I had not built up a decent profit in the first week I would be hurting as well.

If it makes you feel any better you took $47.50 off me. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I hope you get to the WSOP through the raffle or win the lotto or something. Good luck in all your future endeavors.

[Soul Rebel]

Sorry to see you go man, I knew you weren't running well, but it really blows that you've gotta quit. Drop down and you'll get your roll back in no time. Let us know if you have better luck elsewhere and if you still make it to Vegas.

[Gaming Club]

Sorry to see you go Vinny, but you are showing good sportsmanship and maturity (please don't take this in a bad light) to know that it's time to withdraw. It was a valiant effort on your part! The positive we see is that you've managed to identify some areas in your game that were weaker than others, and have gained some extra experience - especially short handed play.

Your progress blog was a riveting read too!

Kudos to you on having the courage and enthusiasm to take this challenge head on. It was a pleasure to have you take part. We'll be speaking to you soon.

[HavanaBanana]

Yes a Valiant effort indeed, and the fact that you showed such self insight that you actually can say No Mas when the numbers indicate that you should is a skill that will make you money in the future.
It also earns you respect.

I have had downswings like yours, but what I would do is to move down in limits, however the rules and the time you have available does not allow for that, so you had to chose to end the journey for now.

Thank you for the kind words, and good luck rebuilding.

We'll stay in touch.

ToT

[VinnyTheFish]

Things I sit back and laugh about: (with a few tears)

1) Jan. 1, 2005 - I start a new. I cashed out every account before New Year's Eve. I sent $200 of my own money to Interpoker. From here, I built my bankroll (through mostly whoring) to 3K. It was over 6K before I started the challenge, but I took a big hit early in the month). Therefore, the downswing is much bigger than it seems. That may have been the 1st clue that I should not have started the quest.

2 - I still see a few leaks, I played scared for a while, but over all, I liked my play and still have a hard time figuring out how I lost so much money! The guy who made the most money during these 7700 hands had a VPIP of 53 in the 900 hands that I played with him.

3 - I am very tired. I can only imagine how the others feel!

Here was my schedule:
5:30 - 7:00 -- wake, get ready and go to work
7:10 -- get to work
7:15 - 8:30 -- Blog, 2+2, review hands
8:30 start work
2:00 finish work
3:00 - 7:00 coach softball
7:00 - 8:00 Eat, get ready to play
8:00 - midnight PLAY 4 tables.

This is my main complaint. I was just too tired. I played every Friday at our local home game from October - February and profited every time. Then softball started and I started to lose money at these games. I was just to tired. Not playing my best.

Now - I am still winning online. But not playing much.

I start playing more on May 1 - Bonuses are abundant. This is where the losses start. I drop a few K. I also drop a few $$ that I made casino whoring on baseball, but that had no effect on my poker venture. Basically, Baseball + Casino = 0.00 (even).

All in all – I am looking forward to the summer. I blame my poor play on fatigue.

I also am looking forward to any offer from poker sites that need a guy like myself. I self-motivated risk taker who performs looks for pressure situations. My entire life, I have worked in personal relations jobs, i.e. restaurant, pensions, teaching and coach.

[VinnyTheFish]

Things that I can do now that I am a quitter:

1 - play 36 holes of golf (for free) 4 days a week
2 - play a day or 2 in Atlantic City while starying at my beach house in Sea Isle City or LBI
3 - go to the US Open at Pine Hurst while stopping for a round or 2 in Virgia Beach.
4 - Play poker with boys
5 - build that bankroll back up

[Frequitude]

[ QUOTE ]
3 - go to the US Open at Pine Hurst while stopping for a round or 2 in Virgia Beach.

[/ QUOTE ]


FWIW, I would rather do this than play in the WSOP for 120K hands...

[AAmaz0n]

Sorry to see you go Vinny, it's been great having you along. I totally understand and support your decision though. It shows great maturity and restraint to be able to make a good laydown, and I applaud your courage and insight to know that it was a good time to fold.

Good luck in the raffle, and I hope to see you in Vegas anyway.

*hugs*

Shauna

[VinnyTheFish]

my buddy is an agent to 3 Japanese golfers. He gets us free passes to any event they play in. We will be at the The Player Championship & the US Open. We declined the British Open.

Also, a few of us, (but not me), will be in Pittsburg in August for some Bass Master's Classic - some fishing thing.

He reprents this big-time Japanese Fisherman.
Fun Stuff!

hmmm ... maybe I can become an agent for poker players!?