Confident Variance 101

In order to be successful you have to work for it! It took me a while to realize that just playing alone is not enough. For a long time i felt like no one here was willing to help me. I made excuses like most people do when they don't want to commit themselves! I convinced myself that because i was black on a mostly white dominated game and forum; That no one here cared are was willing to spend the time to help! I would like to publicly apologize for being ignorant and lazy; And most of all thank everyone who has ever helped me here at Pocket Fives. The other day it really meant a lot to me; When my name was mentioned in a news article on Pocketfives. Also i have been doing my best to be more active in the forums as well. This year i said to myself that no matter the consequence i am going to work my fucking ass off too improve! I have a regular 6am-6pm job at the Exxon Mobile Chalmette refinery in New Orleans; And this has made things very difficult for me! With that said "No worries i go hard in the paint anyway"and will not and have not allowed this to stop me. Lately i have been blessed enough to move up in the Illinois rankings forum; Which i have used as a motivational tool. In two weeks i have moved from #63 to #46 and shooting for the #40 spot; Which a very long time and personal friend holds(steve Lewis aka Cardzfan) and the person responsible for me playing poker. Steve was the first real poker player i looked up to when i first started to play in 2004. Poker was just a game to me at that point, and it's funny how serious it has become for me over the past 8 years or so! I have also begun to post more hands in the forums to become more active; And i have been more than happy with all the help and responses. I decided to work even harder on my MTT and 6 max game this year. Placing 12TH in event #6 at the WSOPC 6max event at Harrah's New Orleans really made me feel good about myself and my game. It was real cool too compete against others who actually played for a living and outplaying them in a few pots. I also have a ton of players here who's game i respect even if you don't reply it's cool "YOUR STILL A BEAST SIR"..............!!!!! And then i met one of the hardest workers i have ever seen play poker! Mr. Variance101 himself Cracker9BaLL!!!!! This dude is so fucking sick and so dam serious! I have been following him since PokerStars along with others as well; But being able to relate to his struggles gave me motivation to not give up and work harder. Then we were all hit by Black Friday............................................ ...................................(AND ALL THE MOTIVATION DIED!!!!) I went back to work in Exxon after being out of work before-during-and after Black Friday because of the BP oil spill in the gulf. So once i started work last year i was very depressed as one of the only things i truly loved was gone! Well anyway here it is a year later and we have Lock Poker, who should have never left merge; As well as the Merge Network! You can't win $5,000 with a $4.00 entry anymore like you could on Stars; But if you are a true fucking grinder this is only a speed bump until things get better. Too be honest i am just glad to be able to play; Because for me playing live is easier but a shitload more expensive LOL. I know and truly know in my heart that online will be back main stream soon. And i plan on being ready when it goes down!!!!! One thing i have had to do is "Give thanks to God" and remember to put him first. For with God all things are possible and without him i am lost! One thing i would like to say is that i am a good guy and will help anyone; And i am just after what everyone here is after and that is too win! I hope to continue to make friends here and given the chance meet a lot of you in person. I know JSLAB is from my home town area near E.St Louis and is a pretty solid player in his own right. So if you see me at the tables show me some love because i will do the same! Also lately i have been getting quite a few pm's from players whom i follow and respect; And i thank you all for that as it is very motivational so keep them coming. I guess when you guys grind so much and so long success becomes common place. But for a guy like myself working hard to get where you are;The replies and keep up the good work messages really go a long way. I truly hope that one day i can help other as others have help me to make progress. I want to take this time to give a special thanks to John Reynolds aka Cracker9ball and variance101. Dude you are a great coach and a greater inspiration for me and my game! The way you play and the thought process behind it is so clear to me now. I am so confident when i play now and your business as usual approach to the game never allows the player to be satisfied with the results. I used to be happy just cashing MTT's, but now im learning to play solid and optimal poker at all times. Getting coaching from you has been one of the best decisions i have ever made; From the variance101 chat to having access to you almost 24hrs a day live or by email! I will tell anyone who is an aspiring poker player like myself!!! "Get coaching from cracker9ball while it's still $50hr" I have seen for myself how hard this guys works; And would gladly pay $100hr or more for his coaching! After only one lesson with him it has totally changed the way i feel about poker and my game. If you want someone who will give it to you raw and not hold anything back he's the guy for you! "I KNOW HE'S THE ONE FOR ME'!!!!! ps. I just want to thank all the coaches who responded to my pm's for coaching especially ApeStyles and Gags30!!!! I respect you both and your game! And to the few who just decided to be asses and ignore me; You only made it easier for me to 3-bet you light 100 blinds deep with 63o!!!!! LOL