I was going to post this in the November Graphs thread, but since I have no graphs and I hoped more people would see this because I am also taking this opportunity to thank everyone (more than you could imagine) for helping me along this month.

Here's an update on the "Newbie" thus far...

As many of you know, I started playing "real money" online earlier this month (always wanted to, could never afford it) by cashing ($2.00) in a Freeroll Tournament. Then by luck (and persistent Googling), I found this forum and starting sponging off everyone beyond control.

Shortly afterwards, a new friend :wink: saw some (however limited) potential in me and staked me $10 to get my feet wet with microstakes real money games. (Until November 13, I played exclusively Play Money Online :oops: ).

So my bankroll started at more-or-less $12.

After playing in around 15 $1+.20 SnGs, 2 or 3 thousand 0.01/.02 NLHE hands, 35 (enough f/n !!!) LHE hands, and 5 or 6 .25 donkaments. It's been one hell of a rollercoaster ride with many lessons learned along the way, but my bankroll now sits at about...

...drumroll please...

$13 (already taking out for the entry into the Libby Tournament that I can't enter into until my (other) friend transfers the donation money I gave him to transfer.)

IMO, maybe my biggest thrill(s) to date is landing 5th and 6th on "The RidgePoker Challenge Leaderboard". I'm not sure how much that says about my play, but I'll take it nonetheless. :nod:

All-in-all. I am ecstatic with this. I never imagined that I could get so much experience and learn so much with such a small amount of money to start with. Some of my friends who are better off than me financially, have deposited $50-100 and busted in only a few hours just to deposit more, (PM me and I'll give you their screenames to search for :wink: )

Last night I was watching PAD with my wife and I blew her mind when at least 99% of the time I would predict exactly what the player would do down to the exact bet. Granted, for 99% of the hands, 99% of them were playing ABC poker, so it wasn't that difficult. But it may have even bought me a little more "seat time" with the wife's approval. She even believes I'm now a better poker player than she is (& I'm not better than her in ANYTHING, just ask her!)

:bowdown: :bowdown: So, once again, Thank you all so much for all your patience and guidance thus far!!! :bowdown: :bowdown:

:nod: Now, thanks to your help, you're gonne be stuck with me for a while. :nod:

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Check out Bigloser's Blog: The Genesis of a Micro-Grinder...

http://www.feltpoker.com/blogs/bigloser (updated 5/25/08 )

congrats on building teh bankroll!

AIM me (id: linuxrocks1). I will stake you for 25$. Play whatever you want and just return the 25$ when you feel like. You lose it, no sweat. Think of it as a gift for some one working hard at getting better at poker.

:jawdrop: :jawdrop: :omg: :jawdrop: :jawdrop:

OMG, Thanks a lot. This is pretty hard to believe...

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Check out Bigloser's Blog: The Genesis of a Micro-Grinder...

http://www.feltpoker.com/blogs/bigloser (updated 5/25/08 )

I sent you a PM. After you install AIM, talk to me.

Nice work Bigloser! Hopefully soon we can get some live poker time in at AC or the Turning Stones soon.

Congrats Big...It's nice to see someone sponging the advice rather than fighting it.

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Well put, labatts. Congrats, Big!!

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"I'm disappointed in you, Scotty" -- Michael DeMichele at the 2008 WSOP HORSE Final Table
Check out My Blog, updated 10/06/08

Good for you! May the Karma be with you as well. I'll never forget how much the forum made me into a much better poker player. I hope you get the same out of it, in fact, I promise you if you stick around for the long run, you'll be amazed.

Well done! We all have a similar story except for most of us went busto with bigger deposits before we started listening. Congratulations on being smarter than that.

I play like a donkey most of the time but I've made some very good friends playing poker (first here and later live). On top of that I've made a little over $10K this year playing my weekly home game. So, if I can do it without a hijacking the thread too much, I'd like to add my thanks to yours. The entire RP community rocks and I'm glad to be a part of it.

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There is no security, only opportunity.