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At TwoRags.com, we're committed to providing accurate information to the
poker community. If you see entries or information that you believe to be in
error, please email us.
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Getting into Poker Part 3
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By A_Junglen
on 11/12/2025
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read A_Junglen's complete blog
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During May of 2006 there was an MTT competition on 2+2. It was based on the TLB formula on PokerStars. At the time I had mostly posted in the SNG forum and wasn't too well known in the MTT community. I basically decided I was going to take the competition very seriously, and that by the end of the month, everyone would know who I was.
I ended up having multiple 1-3k scores while playing $5 to $50 MTT's. I was very involved in the competition and by the end of the month I had made a lot of new friends. I got to know some friends on the forums including Exitonly, gobbo, Rizen, and more.
I was (still) on crutches as my High School years winded down, recovering from my amputation fix. I missed all of the notable HS events, like Senior Banquet, Prom, even missed graduation. Come to think of it, I still don't physically possess my diploma. *shrug* I ended up going to Turning Stone during the last week of class. It was my first poker trip, I roomed with Exitonly (Ray Coburn), and met a lot of new friends that I'd met online. I had a great time, despite not cashing in any of the tournaments.
After High School ended most of my friends either moved or were too busy with class/working to hang out or play poker. I decided not to attend college based on several factors:
- I was still recovering from my recent leg amputation
- I had zero motivation to attend school
- I was denied the funding for school that was seemingly a lock-in (considering my condition)
- Poker
At this point it was Fall and was the first time in my life I wasn't going to school. Instead I was busy discussing poker theory and really focusing on my game. Part of me thought I'd end up attending college in the winter, once I was fully recovered, but I really thought I could make it as a poker player. Either way, I really needed time off from school and wasn't motivated to get into a career after interning at Alltel.
In October/November I flew to Ray's house in New Jersey. It was the first time I had been on a plane since I was adopted as a child. Heh, I don't think I expected to be around airports as much as I have been then. I flew to NJ to meet up with Ray, because he won an EPT Dublin Package. At that point I didn't have the resources to play in the event, so I just went to have fun. It was my first time in Europe, and I had a good time. I met ActionJeff, Kush, Carl Olson and more talented players. I remember discussing poker and life with Jeff and Carl, and they really changed the way I thought about the game. I flew back to NJ with Ray, equipped with new poker knowledge and a hell of a lot of motivation.
I only stayed in NJ for a few more days, but not before I took care of some business. I was very motivated after talking poker with my new friends in Dublin. The last Sunday before I flew home to Ohio I had my first 5-figure cash, taking 4th in the PokerStars 2nd Chance for around $13.5k. It was a huge confidence boost, as well as a nice pad to my bankroll.
It's hard to believe that my first 5 figure cash was about a year ago at the time of this writing. So much has happened since.
Later in December I went back to Turning Stone for another tournament series. I ended up making my first decent sized live final table, chopping a $200 event, 4-handed for $7,500 each. I was starting to feel more and more comfortable at the table and was beginning to get more respect. While at TS I met Aaron Been, Shaun Deeb, mlagoo, and many more new friends. Jeff and Ray were also there, it was a great trip.
At that point in time I intended on playing the PCA in January, but after talking with Aaron Been, who had won a seat to the Aussie Millions, both gobboboy and I decided to join him. I had a travel agent look into flights from Cleveland to Nassau to Melbourne, back home. I ended up spending around $2.5k on that flight....and to think it was only a month ago that I was on my first plane ride since I came to America.
To end the year I took 6th in the FTP Monthly $535 for $23k. It was a very devastating experience for me, as I felt in control most of the tournament and entered the final table as the chipleader. It really felt like a loss. When I look back at that tournament I view it as a major learning experience. It was the first time I was close to a six figure cash, and I knew it would not be my last. As corny as it sounds, I "wasn't ready" for a 100k+ score at that point in my career.
Next up would be my first major events. The WPT PCA and Aussie Millions in January of 2007.
Hope you guys are enjoying this,
-Adam Junglen
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