Warning: Very long, but I didn't want to short you of information.
<u>Age:</u>
25
<u>Poker Experience:</u>
Not much. I'm a chess addict converted to Poker by some of my good Air Force buddies. I started playing seriously last September, and began playing 1/2 LHE. I learned most of what I knew initially from this
site. I read every lesson in one sitting, and thought I was ready to play.
Couple weeks later, and 200 dollars down (from an initial deposit of 250), I figured I was missing something (Proof that I
can be taught). I scoured that initially linked site, and found a link to a forum that he described as the best poker forum on the web. I clicked on the link (to 2p2 of course) and immediately became hooked. So much information, and all free. I started in the most obvious forum (Beginners) and read everything and anything. That's when I came across Sklansky's books, and of course ordered a bunch (GSHE, HEPAP, SSHE, TOP, etc). I read them all cover to cover in the next week and a half.
I went back to LHE (and started winning), but realized something was still missing. I was bored. I could win money, but I couldn't have any fun. There was no room to really outplay someone. So I made the switch to tournament play.
Of course, as a player growing up in the ESPN Poker world, I figured MTT's were the way to go. However, I didn't want to play for hours on end and see no benefit. So I decided on 27 Man SnG's. I was an overall winner at these, but over a very small sample size (40-50). I spent most of my time in the MTT forum, but never felt welcome, or comfortable. That's when I noticed STT's. They seemed very similar to what I was used to playing live (mostly home games) and very much suited to my strength's (technical play coupled with very good math skills).
That's when I discovered you STTf'ers. I realized I had found an online home. I devoured the stickie posts, then read almost every single strategy post I could find on the first 4-5 pages. Once I played a few $11 dollar STT's, I decided to start posting/responding to hands. At that time, I was mostly grunching responses, and surprisingly, a lot of my responses were similar to the respected posters. That's when I decided that I maybe had some ability. I took advantage of a Pokerstars deposit bonus, played a bunch of LHE (still my most comfortable game), built my roll to an acceptable level for $11's, and started playing.
I ran incredibly hot, and doubled my roll in less than a month (I was two tabling). I tripled it during the next month, and decided I was ready to move up to $22's. All this time, I'm studying, reading, posting, and overall working on my game. I can feel it getting better. I'm upping my table count, and max out 6 tabling the $22's. Then I hit the wall. I go on a massive downswing (for my stake and roll), dropping back to where I had to move down.
Now I'm 10 tabling $11's, still learning, and getting better. I'm on a break even streak, but I know I'm playing decent (not perfect, but decent) poker. I'm plugging my leaks, and mostly because of people on this site. However, I still find myself missing something. I'll discuss that in the what I expect to get out of this arrangement section.
<u>Current bankroll:</u>
$1000 (but pretty much unlimited deposits as I do have a day job)
<u>Most tables I can see myself playing:</u>
4-6. I don't see the point to play more than that in cash games. Too many postflop decisions, and not enough time to make the correct ones.
<u>What I expect to get out of this arrangement:</u>
I really do enjoy playing post flop poker. I enjoy thinking, and I really enjoy out thinking my opponent. The opportunities to do this in STT's (especially low stake STT's) are limited. So I've been dabbling in cash. I enjoy it immensely, and I want to get better at it.
That's why I'm applying. Not for the money (which I don't need), not for any type of fame (which I don't want), and not for respect (I have that in spades). I want to get better because I love the game. I love the thrill of flipping cards and realizing I read my opponent perfectly, and got my money in good. I love knowing that even if I lose a pot, I still out thought, and out played my opponent.
I'm a quick learner, and very easy to teach. I'm dependable, and hard working. I can be stubborn, but do you really want someone without a backbone? I don't need to be staked, but if you feel more comfortable with that, I certainly don't care one way or another. I'm in it to learn and get better.. money is not an issue.
<u>References:</u>
I don't know anyone personally. I've talked to GKA a few times, PMed Bluefeet a few times, but I wouldn't want to put them on the spot and ask them to refer someone they don't really know.
What I can do is tell you who I am. I'm an Air Force Staff Sergeant. I've been in 5 years, and have earned the trust and respect of my peers, subordinates, and supervisors alike. I can easily prove that I'm in the Air Force, but the trust part is up to you. To be honest, I don't think I have a chance in hell of being picked, but I couldn't see myself passing up an opportunity to learn more about this game, and what it takes to be a winner.