Knock the Table Investigates a Day in the Life of a $5/$10 Grinder

The fourth edition of Knock the Table, an electronic newsletter sent out monthly by Ace Poker Solutions, was published on Tuesday. Its feature article comes your way courtesy of Derric “SixPeppers” Haynie and is entitled “A Day in the Life of a 5/10 Grinder.” Haynie has a pretty enviable lifestyle, waking up at 10:00am, eating breakfast, and surfing the Web.

His warm-up for online poker might not be what you think. Haynie explains how he stimulates his mind for the day’s session: “I will often warm up my brain with video games like Starcraft 2 or Call of Duty. I find these activities get your brain thinking abstractly and prepare you for battling it out on the poker table.”

He heads to his local card room just before Noon and makes his rounds by saying hello to his fellow regulars: “When I walk in, I say hello to the usual people; over time, you begin to build a relationship with both the casino employees and your opponents.” Haynie takes Knock the Table readers through several key hands and points out key mistakes he sees his opponents making – invaluable insight for live players.

Haynie noted that a player’s demeanor is extremely critical: “I think it’s important to carry yourself with pride, confidence, and respect at the table. Being polite to all players can have long-term benefits to the game and your profitability. In some sense, being a pro poker player is a job in the entertainment industry… I’m not saying take it easy on [your opponents] because you like them or feel sorry for them, but don’t be rude when taking their money.”

Shortly before 8:00pm, Haynie makes his way home with a profit. And who doesn’t love leaving the house for the day, heading to a card room, and coming back with more money than you started with? He concluded, “Today worked out well for me, but there have been many grueling days where it doesn’t, so I am not celebrating too soon, just saving up for my next inevitable downswing.”

Jacob “Threads13” Hoke contributed an article to Ace Poker Solutions’ Knock the Table that investigates proper strategy when armed with small and medium pocket pairs in early position. He talks about how these hole cards should be played in tight-passive games and loose-tight games, but notes that the optimal strategy is position-based: “Be aware of all the variables. The correct play of these hands in early position is extremely situational.”

Chris “Fox” Wallace, who has narrated several of the video reviews you’ll find here on PokerSoftware, contributed an article called “Is Playing Online Still Worth It?” It’s probably a question that many U.S. grinders are asking themselves nowadays, especially considering the payment issues that have popped up on the remaining U.S.-facing sites.

Wallace explained, “There are some things that you might never learn at a live table, and many of the things you would eventually learn playing live will happen much faster if you are playing online.”

Wallace cautioned, however, that U.S. players should not invest too much of their bankrolls on the remaining American-friendly sites “because online poker is so uncertain in the U.S. and multiple sites are having payout problems.” Fox’s point is that players should treat real money games as learning tools and then crush low-limit live games.

PocketFives.com wrote a news piece that appeared in Knock the Table about Donald Trump partnering with Marc Lasry to launch a joint gaming venture. However, the venture will only come to life if internet gaming were regulated on a state or Federal level. We’re extremely excited for Trump’s face to grace the center of our virtual tables as well as the backs of all of the cards. You’re fired!

Visit Ace Poker Solutions’ website to get your own copy of Knock the Table.