After a month hiatus from the grind, it's time to get back at it.

It wasn't a complete month off, but for most of August I played almost no poker - I think logging like 5k hands when usually I play 40k plus.

Just chilled out and hit up a few different friends' cabins for week stretches and played a ton of big 2. (btw best game ever - better than chinese IMHO.)

It was a nice break - especially from this downswing/break-even stretch which I think I'm finally coming out of.

Which leads me to a confession. I got a poker coach. I know what you guys are thinking, "Hey what gives you the right to write strategy when you're getting coaching yourself?!"

I personally think no matter what your skill level, from beginner to nosebleed pro, it can never hurt to have a second set of eyes on your game, especially when you're downswinging.

When you're downswinging it's hard to look at your game objectively. It's hard to want to look at each session and look for hands you could have played better when you're stuck five buy-ins. It's hard to admit to yourself you've been playing your B game and/or been expecting to lose.

A coach can snap you out of that. They're completely objective and can tell you in no uncertain terms that there's room for improvement.

And there's always room for improvement, whether you're a long-term loser or a long-term winner. There's always something you can do better.

So far it's been a positive experience. Anybody out there who's on the fence about getting a coach, by all means do it.

Do your research and find someone with a similar game as yours. Chances are they'll open up your eyes to some things you may have never even thought about.

So I'm back at the grind, hopefully going to put in more than my fair share of hands this month and most likely put up some positive numbers.