Poker is a game that can quickly become part of your lifestyle. While some would disagree, people called Poker Grinders would beg to differ. A Poker Grinder is a person who makes a living out of poker by playing small and medium stakes. They value smaller but frequent wins instead of bigger returns.
It is a variable strategy and there are many examples which show that it works. But to really understand this concept and to get into the nitty-gritty of the poker grinder way of life, we have gone through the lengths of explaining everything in detail.
Definition Of A Poker Grinder
A Poker Grinder is simply a player who plays a low-risk game. Typically they achieve small but frequent wins. The term is also often used to describe people who play poker to make a living; players who brave “the daily grind”. Grinding is the opposite of the “high risk, high reward” betting mentality.
Usually, these cautious players stick to low stakes to ensure a steady intake of profit. Despite the fact that these players are not big risk-takers, it takes a very tight strategy and a lot of luck to make a living as a grinder.
Let’s learn some poker-grinding tips.
Tips And Strategy
While we can’t really provide you with a poker grinders manual, what we can do is go through some tips and tricks that a lot of players use. You can study them and try using those that work for you. Devising your own strategy is the best way to go, as copying an entire gameplay plan from somebody else might end up backfiring on you.
Be smarter when picking tables. If you go up against softer competition or inexperienced players, you stand a better chance to get a return.
Stick to your plan and don’t stray from the path. Bankroll management in low-stakes situations is paramount. If you run into a losing streak, you are not going to get your money back by investing more and going overboard.
Specialize in a type of game or tournament and stick to it. It is not a good idea to be a Jack of all trades but a master of none when it comes to poker grinding. Stick to what you are good at, or a game you know, and become better at it.
Poker, like any other game, requires you to constantly learn to get better at it. As you run into different situations you gain some much-needed experience of how to handle it in the future.
There is no shame in using specific software to help you get better at the game. Practicing by using poker tracking software will allow you to react better in certain situations in a real-life scenario.
The Lifestyle
Becoming a Poker Grinder is not easy. It is a type of task that requires you to change your lifestyle around. Creating new habits and becoming aware of different things is what needs to be done initially.
One of the main things that you have to change is time management. You have to start dedicating a lot more time to playing poker than usual. Playing every day and doing it for hours and hours on end is the way to start. The level of commitment has to be much greater than casually playing poker. You can consider using some time management techniques to help you organize your day, as you dedicate a certain amount of time during the day to play poker.
However, playing so much can take a toll on your body and mind. You have to be both mentally and physically balanced. This means that you have to employ various ways of relaxing your mind and your body. Regularly exercising is a must, especially if you end up sitting in a chair for long hours playing poker.
You also have to make sure that you balance things out with your regular job, if you have one. Even though a certain level of commitment to poker grinding is necessary, you still have to find time to rest and relax your mind. Be sure to leave room for leisure activities.
| Grinders | Regular Players |
| The primary goal of a grinder is to make a profit. | Regular players play for entertainment and occasional winnings. |
| They play long hours, often full-time. | Recreational. |
| They are business-oriented and focused. | They are casual and relaxed. |
| Leading a hectic life, sometimes balancing a full-time job and playing poker. | Leading much more casual and relaxed lives. |
How To Recognize A Grinder In A Game?
If you are playing online poker, and you happen to notice someone consistently playing at multiple tables, you may have just encountered a grinder. You can easily recognize them by playing fewer hands, but winning more often on small pots than other players do.
Grinders are often patient and they don’t chase big wins. They would rather wait for a more secure win than invest big cash to earn an enormous profit. They also don’t mind skipping a chance to invest a lot. Grinders feel much more comfortable with smaller sums. As you can see, it is very easy to spot a poker grinder. They rarely stray away from their usual path.
In case you don’t know what poker outs & poker odds are, you can read our guide about them.
Should I Become A Grinder?
A Poker Grinder is a different breed of person. They live a fast-paced lifestyle that not many people are able to adapt to. You need to be vigilant, create more time to play poker, and stick to the plan that you laid out for yourself.
Becoming a poker grinder can be a taxing type of job. So if you really decide to do it, be ready for some sacrifices. It requires change and dedication which not a lot of people are able to do. But if you are able to adapt, it may end up being a fruitful kind of change.
FAQ
Don’t miss out on some added pieces of information from the FAQ section.
A poker grinder is a person who plays often and dedicates their time to poker, playing more than regular people. They usually play small stakes but also have frequent wins.
Anyone can become a poker grinder, they just need to be ready to make some sacrifices. Living a poker grinder lifestyle requires you to dedicate more time to playing poker and to organize your day in a different manner.
Grinders are dedicated to investing smaller sums but winning more often than regular players. They don’t chase big wins and don’t really invest too much money when playing. They also play a lot more hands than regular players do and have a tendency to sit at more tables at once.
