My grand plan went horribly wrong last week. It was one of those weeks where nothing goes right and you just suffer bad beat after bad beat.

I thought I'd have a bash at the live APAT event, partly to get my mind of the bad form on line but also to play live again as it's been a while. I thought that the seats for the APAT were going to sell out quickly so wanted to make sure that I was up there in time, as it turned out, an hour before the casino opened which I had to spend dodging the traffic warden. Got in, got registered and the massive queue turned out to only be 4 people and registering wasn't a problem. Pint and lunch later, and I'm back for the game, along with 47 others. Won't bother rushing next time!

Started off quite loose, making a few iffy calls here and there, but managed to grab hold of myself and tighten up after only spending 400 of the 3000 chips. Patience seemed to pay off when a bit later I was dealt AA and managed to get it all in against an Aussie guy who had 99. The 9 on the flop didn't help me much and I was down to under half my chips. Picked up a few more small pots and at the first break, I was just over the starting stack at 3500. Tried to steal a few blinds after another level but it didn't come to much, then I had QQ and made a standard 3xBB raise to 600. It left me 1400 back and the BB decided to put me in for the rest of it. Obviously I called and was quite pleased when he flipped 66. The flop of Q78 made me smile even more, but the turn of 9 and the river T soon wiped that off my face and also took all my chips and dumped me out.

Lady luck was continuing to piss on me and even by escaping to the Vic didn't help.

The misery continued that night at home and again on Sunday. Actually last night I was pretty low about the whole poker thing. I think I've lost to more hands like the last one at the Vic this week than ever before all added up, it all seems to be going wrong.

The last of my T$ went on the $22 with one rebuy and add on last night where my AK was beat by A9 who hit 4 clubs to match is 9c. Fired up a couple of $4 180 man sng's and did nothing in one, but the turning point was getting 18th in the other. Yes it was only 18th and I only got double the buy in back, but it proved that I can make the money still and more importently, it was my first cash in about a week!

But, my post isn't to moan, mearly to embrace the situation. I woke this morning, not dreading poker, but looking forward to it again. I think I need to avoid rebuys on Stars for now because I can't afford them and I also need to steer clear of turbos for now. Not sure what I'll do on Stars, but it will have to involve proper length tourneys.

Onwards and upwards. We'll get there, it's just going to take a little bit longer.