Poker Players Reveal the Grind: Marathon Sessions and Their Impact

Poker players often engage in marathon gaming sessions, known as 'grinds,' to achieve new heights or simply to test their limits. These sessions can be grueling, with players pushing their physical and mental boundaries. Vladimir heatnation, Maxim Shegol111, and Lev Elou share their experiences with these intense periods.

Vladimir heatnation's first serious grind experience was in 2020, playing zoom NL2 on PartyPoker. He earned around $300 a month and aimed for a $200 prize for the weekly leaderboard. He played for 12-14 hours daily with short breaks for sleep, and on the sixth day, he was in second place with a significant lead. Vladimir heatnation decided not to sleep the night before the final day, and by 5 AM, the situation had changed significantly. His opponent gave up by the evening of the seventh day, allowing him to sleep for a few hours. His total playtime for the week was around 90 hours, which he considers unlikely to repeat.

Vladimir heatnation transitioned to playing spins on Pokerok, often finishing first in leaderboards with 2-4 hours of sleep per night. His current monthly record is 10,000 spins, slightly above his usual 8,000. He sometimes used energy drinks to maintain energy during marathons, but found them ineffective over time. Vladimir heatnation experienced a period of disgust with poker in early 2023, considering quitting but eventually returned to the game.

Maxim Shegol111's most intense grind period was in early 2024, when he moved to Ekaterinburg and aimed to play 150 hours over three weeks. His marathon was divided into two parts, with a significant psychological shift midway through. He played NL200 without selection in a state of euphoria, leading to significant losses over two days. Maxim Shegol111 continued his marathon despite the losses, completing the distance but not focusing on results. His overall EV for the marathon was zero, with significant losses at higher limits. He attributed his return to poker after the marathon to the pressure of the attempt and subsequent life events.

Lev Elou's marathon involved playing 7,000 battle royales with an EVROI of 1%+ over 31 days. He found the grind challenging and felt it was taking a toll on his health, particularly his back. Lev Elou viewed the marathon as a personal challenge and believed that motivation is overrated.