The Mole

[Paul Ross]

Never met him as yet, but I agree we're lucky to have a down to earth high stakes player that can advise and improve the general standard of PL Poker, which is already fairly high imo.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by bigphil2

How many hours would you say you average per week?

This is actually a tough question because i don't really think about time.In the early day's i played as much as i could 2 - 3 hours a day most days, but now somedays it only takes 10 mins unless i lose a few then i sometimes have to play a few hours. At the stakes i play things happen quick

[the mole]

Originally Posted by goater14

Do you predominately play at just the one site or do you play at several?

This ones easier i only play on virgin ( although i still have a roll in my old sporting odds account

[the mole]

Originally Posted by gazza271

The limits you play at, now we did talk about it and bankroll management. What level did you start at and how long before you were consistantly making money and then move up to next level ?

Every level step by step of bypass any levels ?

I know from an old thread that you dont always buy into a table for the maximum amount, whats your reasoning for that and how many buy in's would you have in your bankroll to move up a level ?

At what stage did you turn round and think "I'm making enough money here to turn pro" and did the missus/family fully support you ? Huge decision to make

High's and low's so far ?

Are you still moving up the levels ? Where do you see the Mole in 12 months/24 months ?

I now only buy in for max because i have a big roll, but i still think i did the right thing on the way up the stakes buying in minimum to protect myself. I know there is the " book" procedures to follow as regard to BR, but i think it comes down to the individual, i would never have made so much or moved so quick by following the book.

My family are 100% behind me. and yes it was a massive decision to turn pro but it was also an obvious one by the time i did it

highs - living the dream in my eyes, it still amazes me how much i win, i win on average 28 days a month. i think the best highs are yet to come though.

My wife doesn't play poker or even understand it, but the night i won the 88k pot i ran up the stairs and said "i just won an 88k pot" her reply was do you want chips or tatties.but it works well for us

lows- i lost 57k in one session, i had jj on aaj flop all in for a 20k pot he had aj, then i tilted badly, but i learned so much from it and now i keep that under control better.

Yes still upping the levels, but only play at the level where i'm comfy. never go below 5/10 though unless im just having some fun. i have intentionally kept away from pokerstars and fulltilt because i would want to play in the biggest games and there is no need for me to do that YET

the next year or two i want to win a major tourney thats the main thing on my agenda at the moment. i also think i have the personality to do well on Tv so will aim for that

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by the mole

This is actually a tough question because i don't really think about time.In the early day's i played as much as i could 2 - 3 hours a day most days, but now somedays it only takes 10 mins unless i lose a few then i sometimes have to play a few hours. At the stakes i play things happen quick

Does this mean you set yourself a target to win each day? And if so, do you
ever keep playing after you've hit the target if you think it's a good table or
you feel you're playing particularly well that day?

Oh ... and why are you called "the mole"?

[msaban]

Not sure the best way to phrase this question - Do you ever worry about the value of money that you could lose.

I think a problem Ive got is that say I get up to a £1K, I'll withdraw the majority of it and spend it on other things..something for the house/family/bills etc ...because I'd be gutted if I lost it, as still see that as a lot of cash.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by slapdash

Does this mean you set yourself a target to win each day? And if so, do you
ever keep playing after you've hit the target if you think it's a good table or
you feel you're playing particularly well that day?

Oh ... and why are you called "the mole"?

No not really it depends my mood/ confidence levels, i try not to be too greedy, if i'm in a value table with lets say a muppet i don't leave until he does. if i win 4 - 6k quickly thats plenty for 1 day, even at that if i am still in the mood to play i will.

the mole, when i was 17 i had an accident and lost my sight it took a long time to get some vision back. one night when i was out with my mates i fell down a hole and when i was trying to climb back out ( and they picked themselves off the floor) one said look the mole and i was nicknamed that for a while.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by msaban

Not sure the best way to phrase this question - Do you ever worry about the value of money that you could lose.

I think a problem Ive got is that say I get up to a £1K, I'll withdraw the majority of it and spend it on other things..something for the house/family/bills etc ...because I'd be gutted if I lost it, as still see that as a lot of cash.

No i play it like a nintendo game, i want to see what the next level looks like. A good example was last week i played a hand where i bet 12k on a bluff to win an 8k pot. the following day i was in the town where i saw a pair of trainers for £90 and thought im not paying that. ( maybe thats just the scottish in me)

[GotaFancy?]

Originally Posted by the mole

No i play it like a nintendo game, i want to see what the next level looks like. A good example was last week i played a hand where i bet 12k on a bluff to win an 8k pot. the following day i was in the town where i saw a pair of trainers for £90 and thought im not paying that. ( maybe thats just the scottish in me)

Sounds like a great approach

To turn the question around on Mike - do you not fear that the way you're playing, you're playing below where you could be and achieving less than you could? By withdrawing all your profits, and worrying about the "money" you have on the table, are you not costing yourself money....

[SteveO]

My final question Mole (you must be worn out) are you a Poker Tracker Poker Office advocate or do you base your play more on the feel betting patterns etc.

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by the mole

No i play it like a nintendo game, i want to see what the next level looks like. A good example was last week i played a hand where i bet 12k on a bluff to win an 8k pot. the following day i was in the town where i saw a pair of trainers for £90 and thought im not paying that. ( maybe thats just the scottish in me)

I can understand that, I think. I've certainly never bet 12k on anything, but I
bet amounts (not on poker) that are many times more than I'd spend in a day,
and I don't find it scary. I think of my "betting bank" as completely separate
from my other finances, and I find that if I do that then I can treat it as points
in a game and make dispassionate decisions about how much to bet without
really thinking of it as money that I could spend on things.

[msaban]

Originally Posted by GotaFancy?(BPP)

Sounds like a great approach

To turn the question around on Mike - do you not fear that the way you're playing, you're playing below where you could be and achieving less than you could? By withdrawing all your profits, and worrying about the "money" you have on the table, are you not costing yourself money....

Thanks for the response Mole, I understand what your saying there.

GAF, I think your right,potentially it is costing me money, its certainly something I've got to get over. I play more tourneys than cash, because I tend to feel thats all I can lose. It might sound daft, but I'll quite happly enter a $100 tourney if Ive got on that in my account, but feel a bit worried about putting the same amount on a cash table, yet potentially I suspose there is more chance of making a profit on the cash game.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by INVASOR

My final question Mole (you must be worn out) are you a Poker Tracker Poker Office advocate or do you base your play more on the feel betting patterns etc.

Feel free to ask anything, no i dont use any trackers i just do what i think is right . don't always get it right though

[morlspin]

Great meeting you Steph

Said this to you on saturday night in the travelodge when i helped you in omaha haha, your a great bloke and destined for the big time, good luck and remember us when your out living in monte carlo!

[ColU_FC]

This is a truly excellent thread.

Thank you mole. And thank you to all those who have asked such intelligent and interesting questions. I shall continue to read and learn.

[the mole]

Tx for all the kind words. I am an instinctive player so if its odds and %s you ask about i'm not the man, best to ask Gaf or one of the other guys that are good at that. i am a bit wary of learning all that kinda stuff ( its not broken so dont fix it ). but i certainly can tell you what i think when i play. I recently read Brunsons super systems but i did not find anything in there that was new to me. for me you cant beat experience. but each to thier own.

[SteveO]

I'm very encouraged by your thoughts on poker Mole. I had a dabble with poker tracker but felt that it led to ABC poker so left it alone, but recently thought that I may be at a disadvantage by not advocating it's usage.
I must say though that I always calculate odds and this is a big part of my game. You are obviously so good you don't need to

[ColU_FC]

At the stakes you play at I assume you see a relatively small number of players. Do you have any kind of feel of what the percentages are of:

1. Rich people looking for kicks to whom the money is of little significance,

2. People like yourself earning their living from the game?

Do they come and go (get bust) frequently or does the pool of players mostly stay the same?

[the mole]

Originally Posted by ColU_FC

At the stakes you play at I assume you see a relatively small number of players. Do you have any kind of feel of what the percentages are of:

1. Rich people looking for kicks to whom the money is of little significance,

2. People like yourself earning their living from the game?

Do they come and go (get bust) frequently or does the pool of players mostly stay the same?

There are a few recreational/rich players ( great if you can get into thier table). only 1 or 2 though

Recently i have noticed a lot more players playing at the higher levels, not sure why.

Most the players who are making a similar living to myself i know. You usually find we go up and down the levels depending on the field ( look for value tables) and confidence or if any of us has taken a big hit. if you do take a big hit its advisable to go down the stakes and grind, most people do it the other way trying to chase thier loses.

It's actually quite noticable which type of player will probs go bust you can see they play TOO fearless (reckless), although fearless is good

[the mole]

Originally Posted by ColU_FC

At the stakes you play at I assume you see a relatively small number of players. Do you have any kind of feel of what the percentages are of:

1. Rich people looking for kicks to whom the money is of little significance,

2. People like yourself earning their living from the game?

Do they come and go (get bust) frequently or does the pool of players mostly stay the same?

Another point on this subject is when people are playing out of thier depth ( stakes ) they play too tight and really dont have any chance of winning unless they get a card rush, then run

Also you get people coming in drunk late at night and again its really a donation