Diamond Interview Series: sm112

Another week, another Diamond interview - that's the way all my readers (five) look at it. And since we need another of our Diamonds highlighted, I managed to get a hold of the NL SSS semi-legend sm112.

He has arguably one of the crappiest usernames here on our site and he's also a compulsive gambler. So why did I interview him? Well that's pretty much the reason why.
Also because DaPhunk suggested it, since he was running hot lately. Needless to say, when I interviewed him, he suddenly went on a huge downswing. I like to consider myself not guilty in this case.


PokerStrategy.com: Hello, sm112, and welcome to the Diamond Interview Series. I guess it's nice to start with an intro from you, so... knock yourself out!

sm112: Hello, I'm a 26 year old SSS grinder from Estonia, with obviously too much free time, as currently trying to make a living in the NL $100 tables. Not very persistent, when it comes to hobbies – have played football in Estonian lowest league, been cycling hundreds of Km's in a week just to take part in some of the toughest marathons, both on and off-road.
Then moved on to wightlifting, eventually squatting with twice of my bodyweight on my shoulders and.. ended up in casinos. After admitting I had a gambling problem, I banned myself from the casinos and poker was the only logical (and +EV) way to keep the thrill coming. Hopefully it lasted more than 2 years, as it is seemingly the amount of time after which I get bored of whatever I do.

PokerStrategy.com: Great way to start an interview - brag about weight lifting to an Internet audience. Thanks. So you're a gambler turned Diamond. Alright... I guess... How long have you been playing poker then?

I think I found Pokerstrategy somewhere in November 2008, got the 50$ and started to learn and practice SSS. Grinded my roll up to 1k$, but was broke by the end of the year. Couldn't escape from the bad habits.. Second attempt took place in February, as I deposited about 120$, but it ended pretty soon the same way. My transformation from gambler to poker player took place  in the end of March, after what the ride from NL10 to NL 100 was pretty quick, despite some bumps in the road (HU cash games).

PokerStrategy.com: So you're into NL SSS. Plus you still have gambling problems. But why did you go for No Limit and also, why SSS?!

I hadn't heard a thing about SSS before, but when I started reading the articles, it seemed like a quick and easy way to master a winning strategy and move up in limits. I don't have the patience it takes to play SnG-s or MTT-s, and Fixed Limit felt so awkward.. I'm sure I will start playing full stack some day, as shortstacking NL100 is not something I would like to do for the rest of my life. And about the gambling problems – you don't get rid of them overnight, but I'm working on it pretty hard, as it is the biggest obstacle between me and $$$.

PokerStrategy.com: Ok then I will randomly insert gambling-related terms here and see your reaction. How long do you usually play everyday? Do you split your play time into sessions or something? Also, do you have superstitions? (Please say yes)

sm112: Usually 4-8 hours a day, about 2 hour long sessions. I don't like to end my session in red, so If I have 1,000 hands and green figures, I'll take a break, and if I see red color, I just keep playing until it turns green.. As long as I feel I'm playing solid poker ofcourse. Wasn't a problem to win 80-90% of sessions in the past, but as I have been running really bad lately, I had to revise this approach. I would have been forced to take really looooooong sessions otherwise :)
I have some superstitions.. I used to fear that Pokerstars will treat me with a downswing when I  cash out. But after catching a heater after first cashout it kind of looked ridiculous. And I guess you all have heard the stories what will happen when you slowplay your aces.. A kitten dies was the first one I heard and as I used to slowplay aces more in the past and as a result, lost almost every time, I started to visualize dying kittens. No more slowplaying them anymore.

PokerStrategy.com: So you killed a lot of cats because of your poker style. Since you pretty much said you (Black Jack) will play SSS for the rest of your (short?) life, where do you see yourself in about 5 years' time?

sm112: Did I really say that? Damn, those long nights at the BJ table, trying to get a phone number from the pretty dealer (because my drunk brain got the idea she was flirting with me, but obv she got paid for flirting with all the gamblers), must have messed up my memory, cause I remember telling something else..
But seriously, in terms of poker I have probably learnt some not so well-known form of poker, where I could develop a bigger edge over an average player and successfully playing the higher midstakes. With full stack ofcourse.
In real life, I'm living in the lovely appartment I bought this spring, and driving a kick-ass sportscar, bought with the poker winnings. R8 would be sick enough to drive with.. No big ambitions about making a huge career, I would rather like to be more of a semipro poker player and run the family business I share with my father as a part time job.

PokerStrategy.com: Do you know why I picked you? First of all, cause you're a little SSS legend around the forums. Secondly, cause you are 10th in our English rankings. Third, cause DaPhunk suggested it to me. But (casino) right after he gave me the suggestion, your graph started looking nasty. Do you have any words for him and do you suspect anything?

sm112: Actually, it's more than that - I remember reading a thread by DaPhunk, where he was bragging about his "huge" downswing in NL50 shortstacking. As a shortstacking legend in English community I obviously had to beat him :) So no hard feelings between us, it was only a small gesture to show who's da best (at running under EV ofc). I will start running like a god again from now on to maintain my reputation.

PokerStrategy.com: Sounds like an SSS challenge and I love challenges. I hope you guys will make it official and also (roulette) add some nice/embarrassing consequences for the loser. By the way, which are your favourite members and/or blogs you follow mostly?

sm112: I can't say I have favourite members, as I haven't seen any of them in real life. Hope this will change someday, maybe at some Black Member party somewhere in the future.. I'll try to follow all the blogs about SSS - Xarry2, Gerv, DaPhunk for example.
Oh, wait – I have to mention purplefizz. It must take some confidence from someone to call herself a hot chick, but she definitely backs up her words with her appearance :) I also read interesting threads about SSS, but I'm not that kind of a guy who has to scan the whole forum every half an hour and reply at least half of the posts.

PokerStrategy.com: Even if you don't (gambling) post that much, your semi-legendary short-stacking adventure is good enough for you to get fans/acolytes. Speaking of which, what would you advise a new guy willing to learn poker?

sm112: Bankroll management must become your religion. You can't have a long time successful poker career without mastering BRM. Other than that, follow these steps in this order: learn the theory, play straightforward ABC poker, watch videos and post hands for evaluation, and if you have done all that, start developing your own style.
The last is the key of my success I think, slightly deviating from the basic strategy and starting to play more situation-dependant. If you have what it takes to become a winning player, then the $$$ starts coming sooner or later. Don't rush things too much and set a goal to constantly improve, learn and always play the best poker you are capable of.

PokerStrategy.com: Coming from a compulsive gambler, that was... beautiful. But let's leave poker for a moment: what do you actually do when you're not multi-tabling? Besides hitting the online casinos, of course.

sm112: No online casinos, thank god, at least haven't fallen that low.. I would rather tell what I used to do, as last few months have been quite anti-social for me.. Besides sports I like partying. I'm usually the last man standing and pass out when others start to wake up.. Visiting the nightclubs or spending a "busy"  weekend with friends in some summer house are equally entertaining for me.
I'm really into hardstyle music, even dyed my hair blonde once before another rave (if you can call these little parties here that way, not much comparison with Qlimax for example). I'm spending my working hours in a small office, mostly alone (notice the sadness in his answer? - vhallee), taking care of sales, logistics and accounting, plus all the other things a small family business demands.

PokerStrategy.com: So you're a party animal? You have no idea what that is and you have to meet Leo258 and havox at the next Black & Diamond Member Party. Also that small office thing makes me not wanna envy you at all. Ok I held it in long enough: what's with this username of yours?

sm112: Well, I have done some pretty wild things myself, but it would be nice to meet my soulmates when it comes to partying..
About the username, the letters S and M are the initials of my last girlfriend and number 112 is the emergency number here in Estonia, you know like 911.. Do not feel like going deeper into details this time :)

"Creating usernames is not my strong point"

PokerStrategy.com: Wow that's gotta be one of the worst usernames I have ever seen. At least you're an SSS demigod, so I guess it's pretty much the principle of compensation in action. Since we're almost done, is there anything you would like to add? I have some suggestions for you: add shoutouts to the people you know, ask me something, stuff like that. Go!

sm112: Well, I have to agree, it's not the best one, but I think my Stars username is even worse. Generating usernames has never been my strongest side.. Special thanks to DaPhunk for bringing me this downswing, now please take off the curse :) Greetings to all the SSS players who have been reading my blog, hope you have received some inspiration. And a question for you vhallee: when do you finally create the Estonian community so I can collect the 500$ first prize each month???

My cat is intrigued by the way you play those aces

PokerStrategy.com: Regarding your question to me: only when you come to Gibraltar - we're obviously waiting for you. Since this is an interview series, you can pick a fellow Diamond to be interviewed and I will stalk him until he gives in. Any particular suggestions?

sm112: I would say opal99. Should be worth reading based on his posts in forum and it's interesting to know where all his strategy points come from.

PokerStrategy.com: Alrigh then. I will try to track down opal99's address and make sure he gets my 'message'. And by message I mean a creepy ex-girlfriend-like letter. Thanks for skipping work to make this interview possible and remember: roulette is +EV!

sm112: Thank you for the tip, I guess it was all about my bad strategy then. Good luck to you all and if I get sacked for skipping work because of you, I will come to Gibraltar, move in with you and become a pro :)

PokerStrategy.com: I might get a restraining order.