disappointment - and goodbye

[samoleus]

All,

I see that my first post - or perhaps the consequent thread created quite an uproar. I had finally created an account with the intent of posting regularly and hopefully being a solid contributor to this forum. However, after a day of reflection, I think that I will not do so, for a couple of reasons.

The first reason is a generic one. At high levels, it is very difficult - and not very useful - to have blanket discussions of hands. That is because no one can give constructive advice without knowing the opponent's tendencies, the "hero's" table image, the ebb and flow of the game, etc. At lower limits, play falls into certain patterns. But at the limits that we discuss, the amount of background information needed to dissect a hand is more than most of the posters have the time or inclination to provide.

Despite this, I thought it would be entertaining and educational to join the discussion about general issues (such as the LAG style that I discussed in such detail in my first post).

However, the backlash that I received from my first post, coupled with my own character flaw (an inability to laugh it off - and a need to respond/expain everything) creates a situation where I believe posting here will provide less satisfaction than irritation.

To that end, although I reserve the right to return at some point, for the time being, I will not be posting here any more. I may or may not pop in and say a few words in a thread here and there, but it certainly won't be with the frequency and enthusiasm that I had initially expected.

I had thought for a long time and generated what I thought was a well thought out, constructive post - one that could have generated lots of interesting discussion. That was my goal, and I had thought of myself as "diving" into the forum with the intent of more threads like this. However, while I was pleased to see that the thread generated quite a bit of interest, it was disheartening to me to see that the majority of the posts were pointless - made only to discredit or doubt me.

Let me give notice to the fact that in my initial thread, I did not mention my winnings, win-rate, or anything like that. I merely gave a background on myself, talked at length about my style and about the merits of an extreme LAG style in general, and asked for advice about turning professional. Early in the thread, Kane Kung Fu wrote an absurd patronizing response telling me that I am not a winning player and giving me "tips" on how I can improve my game. At that point, I should have just done nothing - and allowed the respected posters that are familiar with my game speak on my behalf. However, unfortunately, I did not have the patience of maturity to do so. Being irritated by KKF's post, I detailed my winnings over the past 2-3 years.

Even as I did so, I knew that this would be met with disbelief - except from those posters - aggie, James, fxduck, EZbillions, and others that are familiar with my win-rate. However, I was not prepared for the entire thread to be hijacked the way it was. There was so much in my original post that was carefully thought out - and yet, the majority of posters found it useful or necessary to send post after post saying that they don't believe me (in some sarcastic fashion).

Even at this point, I should have ignored them, and filtered through to the (many) useful, relevant, and interesting posts. However - and I have to accept this as my own character flaw - I found myself feeling the "need" to respond to every doubter and every nasty post. Stupid of me - but in the process of having these banal conversations, and more importantly - of having the real issues more or less ignored, I found that my irritation with being involved in this forum will be greater than my satisfaction.

Before I sign off however, I would like to address a few of the doubters and thank some posters who have provided me with a lot of useful information. To the former, I realize that no matter what I say, most of you will not believe my winnings. However, since I did open my big mouth and let it out, I now feel the need to defend myself. Over the past 2 years and eight months, I have played on Gaming Club, UB, and Party. Since Party has had the 2K game, I have been primarily on Party. I do not use poker tracker or really feel the need to. However, I do track my hours played and results on a daily basis. My average win rate over the 2.8 years has been 2200/hour. My overall winnings have been about 5.75 million dollars. I think those of you familiar with my game will realize that 2200 per hour - while four-tabling 10-20 amidst a sea of PP fish (remember how bad the players used to be a few months ago) is not that unreasonable. Although I have had a job during that time, I have managed to play about 25 hours per week. Also, about 660K of those winnings have come from tournaments - so my actual cash game winnings are about 5.1m.

Some other issues. I have a relative afflicted with a serious medical condition that I do not care to reveal. He is living with me and my wife. The way that it has affected his life has touched me deeply. To that end, I have made a significant charitable donation to a research foundation from my poker winnings. Among other things, it makes me feel good to use my poker winnings for altruistic purposes. I live in a city that has the second highest cost of living index in the United States. I am married, expecting one child, and planning on having (probably) two more. Adding in wanting to live in an excellent school district, I do not think it is a stretch or extraordinarily lavish to live in a two million dollar house. For what it is worth, I still drive a Geo Prism. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

A few final things. Although this post probably sounds a bit bitter, I am truly grateful to many of you for your useful and/or supportive posts and private messages. Clint (aggie), your words of support about my playing ability mean a lot to me - especially considering that I hold you in extremely high esteem as a player. I also thank and respect you for respecting my privacy and not revealing my identity any further. Same for some of my on-line buddies, ggbman and EZ billions among other. Finally, I really want to thank Res for his outstanding and tremendously important post. I have read and reread it, and I want to emphasize how useful it has been for me. Thanks again. To El Diablo, I consistently enjoy your posts and it is clear that you are someone who could offer me a lot of insight. If you would take the time to PM me (or respond to this post), anything you have to say would be greatly appreciated.

To the rest of the forum, I have enjoyed reading the posts in here on and off for a long time. I intend to continue lurking. Now that I have an account, I might even throw in a comment in a thread here and there. However, as I said, the general tendencies of the majority of the posters in this forum (or at least my interpretation thereof) along with my intrinsic inability to "brush it off" has made it clear to me that posting regularly here - as I had intended - will not be in my best interests.

Thanks again everyone for reading and for the opportunity to be a part of this forum.

Cheers,

punketty/samoleus/treblah

[CrazyEyes]

I only had one problem with your posts: If you really won 6 million bucks then this decision should be a no brainer. Obviously you're smart enough to do something else extremely profitable even if you were to quit your job and then all online poker were deemed illegal, so why ask a (in my opinion) common sense question here? But I guess i'm just skeptical of internet people who are anonymous to me. Thanks for the posts though!

[lapoker17]

eh, most people here are douchebags who, flushed with envy, can't conceive of another being better or making more money. to me, whether you made 6 million or 1 million is largely immaterial - especially considering that was obviously not the point of your original post. i am here to learn more about poker, not to compare bank accounts. regardless of what went on in that thread, i would love to have you as a regular poster. i'm sure many could learn a lot from you.

in addition, as compared with other "new" posters who have popped up only to ignite some kind of flame war, it is obvious to me that your intentions are good and that you are a solid guy. i would rather you didn't leave.

[capone0]

definitely, i think some people took sam's post as my penis is bigger than your penis when he was really just trying to point out he is a huge winning player (I personally believe him b/c he really doesn't gain much except huge criticism from all you guys). if his name was Mr. Friedman you probally wouldn't be saying anything. GL sam.

[bkholdem]

Good post(s). I think that your inclination to self reflect on your inability to laugh in off, etc. To be critical of yourself in that way (analysing yourself rather than bitching and complaining about the actions of others), is probably one of the keys that make you a good player.

I am older than most here, and only at the bottom level of mid stakes play, but aspire to continue rising. Your posts have been an inspiration to me personally.

Many of the posters here, although good players at higher levels of play, are not wise beyond their years in character. I understand your decision and respect it but would like to ask you to reflect upon that fact. A ~21yr old earning ~150K part time while in school is generally not going to be the most humble of human beings. It is nothing personal.

If you can seperate yourself from the little backbiting posts you will further develop your (from what I can glean from your posts) admirable character, which in turn will translate to improved poker skill.

Cheers!

[KaneKungFu123]

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[PartyGirlUK]

Samoleus,

you come up with an hourly rate and a number of hours per week that over 3 years translate to 5 million dollars 4 tabling. However, party have only had 10-20 NL for, what, 9 months? So even if your 2200 an hour was true it would only be pertinent over the past 9 monhts and thus your total winnings in this game would be WAY less 5 million. So what was the situation - prior to the party 10-20 NL there was another game that you could 4 table for 25 hours a week and make the same hourly rate?

[lapoker17]

[ QUOTE ]
Samoleus,

you come up with an hourly rate and a number of hours per week that over 3 years translate to 5 million dollars 4 tabling. However, party have only had 10-20 NL for, what, 9 months? So even if your 2200 an hour was true it would only be pertinent over the past 9 monhts and thus your total winnings in this game would be WAY less 5 million. So what was the situation - prior to the party 10-20 NL there was another game that you could 4 table for 25 hours a week and make the same hourly rate?


[/ QUOTE ]

this has been asked and answered only, oh, i don't know, 15 times already

[Thremp]

[ QUOTE ]
Samoleus,

you come up with an hourly rate and a number of hours per week that over 3 years translate to 5 million dollars 4 tabling. However, party have only had 10-20 NL for, what, 9 months? So even if your 2200 an hour was true it would only be pertinent over the past 9 monhts and thus your total winnings in this game would be WAY less 5 million. So what was the situation - prior to the party 10-20 NL there was another game that you could 4 table for 25 hours a week and make the same hourly rate?

[/ QUOTE ]

He said he played at other sites before this [censored].

[g-p]

[ QUOTE ]
eh, most people here are douchebags who, flushed with envy, can't conceive of another being better or making more money. to me, whether you made 6 million or 1 million is largely immaterial - especially considering that was obviously not the point of your original post. i am here to learn more about poker, not to compare bank accounts. regardless of what went on in that thread, i would love to have you as a regular poster. i'm sure many could learn a lot from you.

in addition, as compared with other "new" posters who have popped up only to ignite some kind of flame war, it is obvious to me that your intentions are good and that you are a solid guy. i would rather you didn't leave.

[/ QUOTE ]i like what you said