Poker training phase 1 completed

I set myself a goal for the remainder of 2007 to learn how to become a decent poker player. This would allow me to enter some tournaments in 2008 and maybe win some money.

In October I played extensively on Full Tilt and lost a whack of money. In November I played extensively on Pokerstars and also lost a whack of money but eventually started to win occasional tournaments and small SnGs. In December I read a number of books and played a lot of cash games. My real-life tournament positions in San Diego improved to 20th, 13th and then 7th in consecutive weeks (the final position being in the money). I went on vacation to Australia and played in a small real-person tournament in Adelaide where I came 3rd (in the money).

Over the last 3 months I have spent a fair amount of time watching successful poker players playing online and also watched NBCs "Poker after dark" program. In December my online performance has improved to the extent where I expect to be in the money for 2 out of every 3 small tournaments.

So now we are in January 2008 and it is time to play on a bigger scale to see how I compare to the real "Professional Poker Players". This will involve entering some bigger online and real tournaments.

To start the year off, I am going to Melbourne to play in the first event of the Aussie Millions!! Wish me luck!