Hard way to make an EZ living

GG Malta.

Flying out in few hours home after a week full of dreams and reality...
Don't think Ill be playing any more live before ME in Vegas in July, as unfortunately so far this year wasn't able to *get there*, and it's just too expensive.

Always funny thinking of the gap between my normal work routine and type of games I'm playing daily, and the lifestyle and tournaments I'm playing when I'm away... "Micro Millions" series was promoted yesterday on flyers at the tables of the ME EPT - most of the tournaments in that series won't have a first prize big enough to cover the buy-in amount into that live event :)

Happy and proud with my overall performance, aware of all the big mistakes I've made and will do my best to avoid them in the future.

Back to work tomorrow, Working hard for the money

Tilt

First (and last?) post from Malta.

Been here for full 4 days now, and it's mostly been fun (and hard work). I'm 2/2 in cashes in tournaments, with the biggest event of all starting tomorrow.

I'm tilted.

Tilt is a mental situation discovered and practiced by all Poker players at some point of their game experience... Most of them go trough it when they get unlucky in specific spots (while normally forgetting how lucky they were just few moments ago). 

No pro should get tilted tho from that kind of S***, as it's just a part of the game you have to except as unavoidable. I only tilt when I make mistakes, and that's exactly what happened to me today, busting me out from the "Italian poker Main Event".

I def try to learn and improve from every such *incident*, but since those don't happen often as I don't play live poker much, It's hard for me no to take it personally.. I will most def have to improve that part of my mental preparation, if i'll be continuing playing those big events, and potentially making big mistakes. I'm more than happy taking tips on this subject, so please feel free commenting.

Tomorrow is a new day, and luckily I will be fresh and ready to go for our EPT-ME-Malta adventure.

Until next time... When ill start forgiving myself...

Working 9 to 5

Yesterday I booked flights for our big *2015 USA Trip*... We have been debating about this trip for many years, basically ever since coming back from our first big mutual adventure, 5 years ago, in NZ.
I dedicate this late night post to my *other half*, who's sleeping her beauty sleep right now after a hectic week, while her hubby is working and blogging ... We are 2 of the most different/opposite characters in the world, but she makes me complete.

I so often feel I live on a different planet compare to most people surrounding me. *Normal* ppl, such as my wife, go to work every day, drink their morning coffees, eat their business lunches (or crappy sandwiches), do whatever assignments they have (or postpone it as much as possible), then go back home, have dinner, watch TV and off to bed. Next day, it will all start over...
My daily routine is so mixed up, I'm not always even sure what should I call morning/day etc.. My *9 to 5* normally ends when my wife gets up for work. It was more or less the same since like long time ago, even when I was working as an ordinary employee at my last company - I just couldn't choose as randomly at what time I wanna get up.

I hate it when ppl criticize my lifestyle... I am definitely in no position of accusing anyone for being a *Slave of modern capitalism* <e.g: working many hours everyday, while earning just enough to be broke> - So why should I be judged for my somewhat unorthodox way of making a living and living in general?

Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living,..
Barely getting by, It's all taking and not giving....

When it rains, it pours

<I dedicate this short post to Pedro... Getting there soon Brother... Getting there soon...>

Making money isn't EZ. Breaking even is way better than most of the competition, but it's def not the proper way to make a living (That's why I was never playing full time).
Shortly after scoring my first real poker success, I met a very successful businessman. After hearing about my recent success, and my *poker is just for fun* plans, he shared with me a very important business tip - When *running good* in life (and in Poker, OBV), just keep going - it wont last forever. I managed to score a pretty good streak before eventually hitting my first bump (which was very painful). Than climbed back out of the hole. And repeat...

What can you do when u run bad? When u work hard and it doesn't pay off? When Shit just doesn't stick together? When your not making money for months, while doing what u do best!!??
In life, as well as in Poker, everyone has a cool bad beat story. No one cares about u and your problems. No one want's to hear you bitching, they heard it all before.
Stay strong.

I believe in the saying that good things happen to good ppl.
Some call it Karma, other call it Faith. I call it Reality.
Just keep Working Hard, and get back on it the next time around..

*W*

I used to think I could care less about winning. I mean, I was always competitive, but When u play a game for a living, u just wanna have some fun and $$$. Last summer, I went to play my first ever Live event abroad. That was fun, but not sufficient as I didn't even Cash it. But on my last night, in my favorite and most amazing city of the world, I chopped Heads-Up a side tournament - after 2 hours of playing HU I took it down, and won my first (and only, as of right now) poker trophy.

All my chess trophies are at my parents place, in my old room. Basically it's all there for my dad to look at and reminisce of the time I was going to be the next Gary Kasparov (or whatever). I keep my one Poker trophy above me here in my office, and every-time I need inspiration, I just look at it, waiting for a bigger one to follow and get friends with.

Few months after, I lost HU in a different event, while scoring a way bigger prize. With many of my friends there, happy for me, (as well as my Wife) - I felt kinda crushed. I'm not sure this is the right way to approach that occasion, as I did have an awesome payday - But while all were drinking (with the Funny Luxembourgian guy that beat me), I was thinking mostly about a missed opportunity.
In Online poker, it's all about numbers. In Live Poker, from a Pro point of view, I believe it's the same. But Scoring that *W* makes u feel alive. A good friend of mine, who has nothing to do with any sort of gambling, who told me what he thinks of me and live poker (after hearing my story from my first ever poker-trip) - It sounds like it makes me feel alive.
Oh, and *Talkative*... ;)

In less than 2 weeks Ill be on it again - driven, motivated and more experienced. Hope the cards will be on my side, and that Ill get thereeeeeeeeeeeee.....................................

Maybe in like 20, Ill be also a part of the Hall Of Fame :)

"Thinking of life it self"

Wont talk Poker tonight, since Sunday went exactly as discussed in my previous post - Dreams, and Reality :)
So tonight I'll be writing about friends and nuclear threats...

The Israeli Prime Minister just finished addressing the American Congress an hour ago, talking about the Iranian nuclear threat, and the Israeli-American Friendship/Relationship.
Just few days ago, after being accused of responsibility for various internal (Israeli) illnesses (economical, mostly), he explained that even in rough times he "thinks of life itself, and the Nuclear danger called Iran". Basically, the head of my state admits he has no solutions to internal shit, and just thinks of ways to unite his ppl/voters around him, towards upcoming elections (two weeks exactly from today). This is a std way of politicians to approach un-resolvable criticism, practiced by US presidents (for example) as well in the past (latest was: Bush>>Iraq).

Over the last 20 years, I've traveled quite a lot, mostly thanks to my various occupations (Chess, Business, Poker). I've met Christians, Muslims, American and European Jews (and non Jews), Arabs, South Americans, Aussies etc... Some were nice, some weren't. Some liked me, some didn't (when I was 13, I was verbally abused for the only time in my life for being Jewish, by a stupid Ukrainian kid who had no idea I speak Russian. On the bright side, he got snap-bitch-slept in the face by his Chess coach, BTW). That's all normal...
Among the ppl I met were few Iranian (Chess Players) and Lebanese guys (Poker) too. All of them were super nice and friendly, happy to discuss whatever and share (while obv knowing my nationality) - They all could care less about Politics. So how come Politicians make war, while ppl are usually happy to live in Peace? I won't discuss the Arab-Israeli conflict, as it's too complicated, and I'm not even sure it's resolvable - but those guys should be my enemies, so how come we became friends? Maybe life itself might be ok, and it's the big guys which make it crappy and complicated?

I am thinking of life itself, daily. It's my hope for a bright future, for my self and my family (current, and also future - to make my Polish Mom happy).
Actually, that's the main reason why I do what I do for a living -  That hope, those dreams (practically un-achievable in any other way).
But *life itself*, in Israel in 2015, isn't war, nor BS Nuclear threats. It's about being able to afford buying your self a house, a car. It's about having a sustainable life style.

Fuck Politics

I welcome my self back

This is my first Blog post in almost 3 years. My latest blogging period didn't last too long, as it was too un-realistic. I was planning, at that time, of making 154 Million USD before I turn 30 – My 30^th Birthday is exactly one month away today, and I'm still looking for *Million N'1*… Ill be talking about life, love, work, politics and whatever I feel like it. Since I don't share an office with no one anymore nowadays, this will be my sharing window… English isn't my first language so sorry in advance for having multiple spelling/grammar mistakes.

Currently, I mainly play Poker for a living. Some, including my Accountant and my Wife, call me a Professional Gambler.

I used to play Chess full time (which is 100% Skill game) - while there's an ongoing debate on luck factor in Poker. When I did quit Pro-chess, my chess club owner/boss said I'm making a big mistake, as I have such a bright future…  funny… on one side you can play a game, be *OK* at it, and make a lot of money. On the other, u can play a different game, be Super good at it, and most likely never make a single dollar in your life… So who's gambling, the old me, or the new one?

Today is Sunday (AKA biggest poker night of the week in Online poker), and I was just planning on taking a nap now before starting my Sunday Poker Grind. Insomnia made me get out of bed, and write this first post. Sundays are our *Dream day of every week*. Its the night we dream of making so much money, it'll change one's life. Every single poker player hopes of a big Bink, the time he will become the new Chris MoneyMaker (or at least *Maratik*)…  In reality most of us lose money every Sunday. Then you get back on it again the next week. GL tonight to Me, Friends, Colleagues and horses (ill discuss the latest at later posts - I'm not referring to those that eat straw/hay).

Will be def posting few times a week to start. Happy to take comments/notes and requests. Do subscribe if u liked it!
Will always be finishing with a song J

Dreams - happy times and a flashback...:)