SYWTWAF
Rock Star
Silver Level
I think of a grinder as a player who--1) puts in great volume, 2) has a positive win rate, 3) thinks systematically about the game and tries to improve as they play, 4) plays within their bankroll.
Grinders rarely "take shots" and money does not come pouring on them, but nor do they lose it easily. They accumulate capital slowly, but steadily and securely.
Grinders rarely "take shots" and money does not come pouring on them, but nor do they lose it easily. They accumulate capital slowly, but steadily and securely.
BillyBrewington
Rock Star
Silver Level
This is almost exacly how I would discribe a grinder.. The big thing I feel in this is Grinders rarely take shots because grinders don't take alot of risks. Grinders look for maximum gain for the least amount of risk...
PurgatoryD
Visionary
Silver Level
I see a grinder as someone who (1) understands probability and (2) plays a lot of hands and who uses those two characteristics to grind out a profit. A grinder is not looking for "one big hand". He is utilizing every 1-2% advantage (taking the rake into consideration, of course) he can find to turn a profit over time. I am not a grinder but I admire what they are able to do.
dufferdevon
Legend
Silver Level
I feel a grinder is a player who understands that solid play + volume > short term variance.
He just keeps putting in hour after hour, day after day, month after month until he looks up at the end of the year and sees a significant profit.
He just keeps putting in hour after hour, day after day, month after month until he looks up at the end of the year and sees a significant profit.
ben_rhyno
Legend
Silver Level
This is the best answer so far. No need to really say anything else.
essambb
Rock Star
Silver Level
the last world series say it all he was one foot out of the door then he become the chip leader then become short stacked again till he joined the final table of the series then he became the chip leader of the final table btu he lost after he put his 60 mil chips all in with 33 aganest A9
Poker Orifice
Low IQ? .. Vote Trump
Platinum Level
This ^ is obviously the best answer.
dufferdevon
Legend
Silver Level
reverie
Enthusiast
Silver Level
a professional poker player who earns a living through small but consistent winnings (See also: rounder)
D
DennisC98
Rock Star
Silver Level
Where You Can Find Grinders
Actually, you can find grinders in almost all types of poker in the lower and middle limits. You typically don't find a "grinder" per se at the nosebleed stakes. Most grinders will multi-table to the tune of eight or more simultaneous tables, oftentimes of identical game types and limits. For instance, a Sit and Go grinder might play eight tables at a time of $25 turbo 9-person Sit and Goes. Considering that 10% (after rake) is a great ROI for a Sit and Go player, that means that the player is only making $2.50 per sit and go. But if they can squeeze in 20 sit and goes in an hour, then they're "grinding" a $50 per hour win rate. By contrast, if that same player decided to go play a $200 Sit and Go, then they're now "off their grind" and taking a "shot" at a higher game.
You Should Also Know...
While some grinders do play almost exclusively large, multi-table tournaments, these people are a very rare breed. The goal in a large tournament is to make a big score, to win a sum of money that can sustain you until the next sizeable take. Some people are able to win small to medium prizes on a fairly consistent basis, but in general, grinders don't specialize in multi-table tournaments because luck can swing one's results too quickly in them and they take too long to make smaller wins worth the time.
Additionally, online players can earn rakeback to increase their hourly rate, and some online poker rooms only offer rakeback for cash games.
Actually, you can find grinders in almost all types of poker in the lower and middle limits. You typically don't find a "grinder" per se at the nosebleed stakes. Most grinders will multi-table to the tune of eight or more simultaneous tables, oftentimes of identical game types and limits. For instance, a Sit and Go grinder might play eight tables at a time of $25 turbo 9-person Sit and Goes. Considering that 10% (after rake) is a great ROI for a Sit and Go player, that means that the player is only making $2.50 per sit and go. But if they can squeeze in 20 sit and goes in an hour, then they're "grinding" a $50 per hour win rate. By contrast, if that same player decided to go play a $200 Sit and Go, then they're now "off their grind" and taking a "shot" at a higher game.
You Should Also Know...
While some grinders do play almost exclusively large, multi-table tournaments, these people are a very rare breed. The goal in a large tournament is to make a big score, to win a sum of money that can sustain you until the next sizeable take. Some people are able to win small to medium prizes on a fairly consistent basis, but in general, grinders don't specialize in multi-table tournaments because luck can swing one's results too quickly in them and they take too long to make smaller wins worth the time.
Additionally, online players can earn rakeback to increase their hourly rate, and some online poker rooms only offer rakeback for cash games.
