(24) CHALLENGE OVER

Very depressed at the moment. Just dropped another grand. Bad cards, bad play, no complaints really, didn't deserve to win. I made a cracking play for my an $880 pot, but still managed to blow the lot unnecessarily. After taking out some money the other day, I now have nothing in my account. Apparently my deposit limit has been reached so that is the end of that.

It's a pretty sad way to end the challenge as not only does it mean that I failed miserably, but also that I won't be going to Drogheda or Walsall, I just can't justify playing in either event after my absymal run over the last few days. It's incredible how it can all come crashing down, but I have to be honest with myself, however much it hurts.

Still, I'm alive, healthy and have a beautiful girlfriend, so can't moan. I don't think the tax bill has been taken out of my bank account yet, so I'll wait until that happens before deciding on my next step. Other bills remain a worry, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to hit the tables again, probably when I receive my rake next week.

What I can say, is that when I do, I'll have learned from experience these last 24 days and use it to my advantage. I still somehow made a profit from the challenge, so I shouldn't be too negative. Also, I firmly believe that if I can be more disciplined in when I play, how long I play, and so on, then I can cut out those big losing days and make a decent profit. I certainly don't intend to give up. When I am feeling better, perhaps in a week or two, I'll evaluate the challenge more thorougly.

I don't want to end on a sour note, so here's the good call/raise I made today when I was winning and playing well.

GAME #819456924: Texas Hold'em NL $2.00/$4.00 2008-01-28 19:33:22
Table Dorado (Heads Up)
Seat 3: Villain ($391.00 in chips)
Seat 8: Hero ($751.20 in chips) DEALER
Hero: Post SB $2.00
Villain: Post BB $4.00
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Ac Js]
Dealt to Villain [8h 8d]
Hero: Call $2.00
Villain: Raise $12.00
Hero: Call $12.00
*** FLOP *** [6s 3s 5s]
Villain: Bet $22.00
Hero: Raise $44.00
Villain: Raise $55.00
Hero: Call $33.00
*** TURN *** [Jc]
Villian: Bet $120.00
Hero: Raise $658.20
Villain: Allin $178.00
*** RIVER *** [4h]
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1,141.20 Rake $1.00
Hero: wins $1,141.20

biggest pot won: $880.00
biggest pot lost: $400.00
time at the table: 4hr 36 min

profit = - $1,070.42
blonde poker account = $2,715.08
Profit = $1,400.08
$2,284.92 before the taxman goes away

Days played = 24
total time played = 80 hrs 27 mins
total rake earned = $860.85

current $ per hour = $17.40
current $ per day = $58.33.