Goals

I see several people here who use the signature function to state a very specific goal and report their progress (example: $2,400 by August 15, $1,683 so far).

A GOAL like this seems like it could benefit a person's play, simply by keeping them focused and looking at the big picture.

Anyway, I'm having trouble setting a reasonable goal for myself. I'm worried that my play doesn't seem consistent enough to set a goal. Perhaps just setting the goal would help make me more consistent?

My play is such that I'm ahead over $500 on the tables since April 1, 2005, plus there's a lot of bonus money fattening the BR. Some days I win <$50, and some days I lose $50, but mostdays I either lose a small amount, or win ~one buy-in. (playing NL$25). I don't think I've lost more than $50 in a single day. My total BR is ~1,900 counting my original buy-in and bonuses.

Anyway, based on the above: If I've won ~$500 on the tables in 4 months, would it be a reasonable goal to TRY to double this amount for the next 4 months (i.e. win $1,000 more by Nov 30)? Should I set a different goal that includes bonuses (i.e. Total BR $3,500 by Nov 30)?

I'm looking for suggestions (general or specific)?

EasyT

Whether you decide to include bonuses or not, I'd set a goal that is very difficult to achieve. It seems like many people here are meeting their goals way too quickly/easily.

I would say set a goal that is high but not impossible to attain.

I just set my goal at 2,000 in 60 days.
but that is only 33.33 each day now that is attainable.

peace
wwonka

Are you still at NL25, with a $1900 bankroll? You should definately be at NL50, and technically thats enough for NL100. You need to keep moving up stakes so you get experience. As someone else on FTR once posted in regards to playing overBRed: Look at your winnings for a month, think about that amount x2 or x4, and cry.

NL50 isnt much different than NL25. Still a fishfest on alot of tables. Just camp out and wait to get paid off. Maybe if you drop to below 1k move back down, but I would highly doubt that would happen.

"Total BR $3,500 by Nov 30" sounds acceptable to me given your current rate, but it depends on things. How much do you play?

Also, maybe you want to set a more immediate goal to keep you focused, like say xx per month, or per week?

I've had others here say that I should be moving up. But is't taken me 4 months to win $500 on the tables. That's $125/month. Figured over 20,000 hands, my BB/100 = 5. These numbers do not make a strong case for moving up.

That said, I do feel like something has "clicked" very recently. I think I can play a solid, tight game...with just a little creativity. I actually think the bonuses have hindered my progress just by encouraging me to play multiple tables before I had my basic game down pat.

Anyway. I will take other suggestions here for the next few days while I consider. I will decide upon and state my GOAL here by Wednesday, August 3, 2005.

Thanks for any additional opinion you have.

EasyT

I never set money goals. My goal is to sit down and make the best decisions everytime I play. If I am playing my best then it has been successful even if I make correct plays and get sucked out on.

I would definitely move up to 50 NL with a 1900$ 'roll. The fact you got it by bonuses doesnt matter, its your money whether you win it on the tables or are given it. Your goal once you are at 50 NL should be just to break even for the first week. This is all you can expect, since the players will be tougher. As you get better you will begin to beat it, and eventually you will make more money than you could at 25 NL.

Dont worry about the 5BB/hour winrate, its a good enough winrate to get your 'roll up to 50 NL standards, and in my opinion, thats good enough to move up.

If you dont move up, youll be stuck at 25 NL forever and youll never get to 1000 NL where you can make serious money. The only way I got to 400 NL was by moving up whenever I was bankrolled to.

The consideration period is over.
Declaration.
Thank you Spin, Les, Undermin, Wwonka, and Mgoblue for you thoughts.

OPERATION: FAB 50's.
Move up to NL$50. .
Post results in Sig for 30 days. (but do not create a monetary goal (which could be too easily obtainable, overly optimistic, or place unnecessary focus on results).
Limit: $300. (So I can play freely, without BR concerns, I'm assigning $300 as my Operation budget. I will not get discouraged or move down unless I have lost $300, but will move back down immediately upon losing $300).

EasyT.

See Sig:

I have sigs turned off

If you are ACTUALLY a 5BB/100 player at $25NL, I wouldn't move up. But if that's your BB because you lost a lot at first, then flattened out, then started winning and have continued improving all the way, then you're ready to head on up for sure.