Well, we are into the final week of Grading and this is my first ever blog.

I have had my brains tested more in the last few weeks than any time since I left school.

For some people, the penny drops straight away and they just bend over and pick it up; for others like me it, is a case of the penny being put into an old arcade machine.

First it rattles from side to side then comes to rest on a shelf until it is slowly edges forward and falls out into the collection tray.

What is not in doubt is that I have learnt more about poker in the last few weeks than I could have imagined possible, and what’s frightening is that I still have loads more to learn.

So far about two pennies have reached the collection tray, so you can see there are a lot more pennies to collect before my game is at a level that I would consider worthy of such a great incentive as put up by Black Belt Poker.

The long term gains should hopefully outweigh any short term losses I may have to suffer at the present time.

I am really looking forward to the rest of the year now and the aim is to look after the pennies and let the pounds look after themselves.

I don’t envy Black Belt Poker in picking their three Blue Belts, but am sure that those picked will have the support and best wishes from the rest of us Graders.