17 Jul 10

Diamond Interview Series: supeyrio

This week takes us back to Singapore, where Diamond member supeyrio is waiting. He has two interesting blogs going on, and he also had a meeting with other PokerStrategists, so we decided to find out more about him.

supeyrio is another Diamond member from Singapore. After interviewing fellow countryman mbml, I was paid so much the feedback was so good that I decided to visit this area again.

He partied with the English community god, TwiceT himself, in Bangkok, he aims to get the Black Member status, he's got a blog about Asian chicks and he's got a Christiano Ronaldo fan club where he's the only fan. Hilarity aside, he seems to be a grinding machine, as he played around 270k hands last month only. He also talks a lot.

If you are interested in reading about a particular Diamond member from our community, check out the archive. If he's not there, post your nomination in the thread below and we'll try to get a hold of him.

Diamond Interview Series: archive, feedback and nomination

This interview was conducted by vhallee

Welcome back to Singapore

PokerStrategy.com: Hello there, Rio, and welcome to the Diamond Interview Series! I should probably change this intro line but I really got attached to it. Why don't you start by introducing your face to the crowd here?

supeyrio: Hi guys, I’m Rio, turning 22 this December, and I’m from Singapore. Started playing poker only last December, when my friend, cutegoldfish, introduced me to this site.

At that time we were still very much focused on Forex trading. However, we were offered some business opportunities related to poker and hence, our focus switched. Alas the business didn't take-off very well, but hey we found PokerStrategy.com and that’s really not too bad a thing since it has been my focus ever since!

Also, I just also want to rant about how lazy Mr. Vali is as he emphasized on me having to be using linguistically accurate texts for this interview, because he's probably too lazy to edit them! So future Diamond interviewees, please take note! (laughs)

PokerStrategy.com: That's really thoughtful of you, Rio; it would be a shame if a nice guy like you had suddenly gone missing. Now tell me, what kind of excuse do you have for choosing this nickname? Is there a (bad) story behind it?

supeyrio: Like most, this nick name is pure random, I probably came up with it some 10 years back and I stuck to it ever since. I noticed that people in general I have trouble giving themselves an identity, so they usually end up with one that they feel is sub-optimal, but yet they stick to it for life!

Anyhow, people call me Rio or occasionally Supey (I don't like this because it makes me feel like I’m soupy). Occasionally, there will be one or two that calls me SuperRio, or thinks that my nick is derived from Super Mario, arghhhh.

From NL2 to NL 50 Diamond

supeyrio, trying to hit Bruce Lee in the package. Mr. Lee is not impressed at all.

PokerStrategy.com: How is your poker career so far? What did you start with and what are you playing now in terms of limits and game formats?

supeyrio: Poker-wise, I started with a self deposited bankroll of $50 and grinded NL2 BSS. The start wasn't easy as I was pretty much experimenting with the game out on my own, making only sparse references to the articles on PokerStrategy.com.

I kept playing, till one day it just all made sense. I eventually moved up to NL10 BSS, and went around bonus hunting at a couple of sites (such an unwise thing to do, looking back) using SSS (since I can play at higher limits with a smaller bankroll) and eventually moved to PokerStars and played SSS at nl100.

Lost 30+BI running at 25BI below EV and that's when I decided that it is not the game for me (since the skill edge difference between a pro and a fish is lesser compared to BSS), and returned to BSS. Currently at NL50 BSS at PokerStars, and proudly one of the lowest limit Diamond members.

PokerStrategy.com: Hey, don't feel bad about that. If it makes you feel any better, I had a feeling you can't play too high - not everyone can be at the top, right? (note to self: don't hold motivational speeches). But even so, I’m still curious to know how your poker days look like on average. How many hours, sessions, tables, etc. do you play?

supeyrio: Haha, well thank you sir. After my exams which ended somewhere around late may, I play poker on average of 8 hours a day. The routine starts somewhere around noon 1pm - 3pm whereby I wake up, turn on the screens, get some food, and just do poker related stuff (be it studying, forums, but mostly playing). I only pause for vital activities like eating, shitting etc.

I sleep somewhere around 4-7am depending on how I feel about my well being. I don't really watch TV/movies or anything of sorts, I try to exercise regularly but the key word here is TRY. I always play 24 tables, because I have this warped logic that volume is essential.

PokerStrategy.com: I won't comment on your understanding of 'vital activities'. How would you describe your play style and why? Feel free to use comparisons with the wild life in the Amazon/Africa if it helps.

supeyrio: Thats a real tough one. I play pretty nitty, somewhere around 15/12 full ring. Maybe an eagle? OMG what a question. Can we have simpler ones please?

PokerStrategy.com: The creative side is weak with this one. Will keep that in mind. What was your biggest upswing that you remember? How about your biggest downswing?

supeyrio: Yup, probably because I’m an INTJ, for those who don't know what that means, please refer to 'what is your personality' thread. Biggest upswing was probably BSS NL50, around 25BI in one day. The biggest downswing was definitely SSS NL100 around 30+BI.

25 buy-ins up, then 30 down. What to do?

Excuse me, are you supeyrio, that sick baller I read about in vhallee's Diamond Interview Series? Source

PokerStrategy.com: 25 BI in one day, wow you're such a luckbox. Regarding the downswing subject, how do you handle tilt? Do you have any particular methods that work best for you?

supeyrio: Tilt. Hmm, I don't actually have long tilt phases. My tilts are short and few, so I don’t really have much of a problem managing it, since 10 seconds into it, I would have already noticed it and snapped out of it.

Probably would have lost some money or luckboxed someone during that 10 seconds, but they just don't come often. I’m pretty much a machine anyway (laughs). Yeah, what a bore, don't expect any kung-fu stories!

PokerStrategy.com: I did expect some stories involving martial arts or fatalities, but just like your girlfriend would say, disappointing yet again. Where do you see poker taking you in the next few years? Do you plan on going pro or you have something else in mind?

supeyrio: Sir, I need to clarify that I’m SINGLE and AVAILABLE (smiles). So ladies, you know what to do. Well I have pretty awesome real life stories but just so random to bring them into this interview! I’ll tell you some if I do see you someday.

My idea here is closely similar to TwiceT's idea (or pretty much most people in this forum!): make big bucks in poker, take the big bucks to invest into money making vehicles, such that they churn out even bigger bucks (of course without the need of me having to lift a finger), while I enjoy life to its fullest. Most importantly, I don't intend to be playing poker for a living for life, as a hobby most definitely!

PokerStrategy.com: Given the fact that I have a ton of female readers, consider your hook-up chances to be extremely high. You previously explained that you're a (boring) grinding machine online, but what is your opinion on live poker? Do you intend on showing your pale online face to those tables in the future? If so, would you consider playing in the largest live tournaments or you consider it to be less profitable than the online world?

supeyrio: Well of course I would want to be playing some big live tourneys. It’s just going to be lots of fun, and we get to meet lots of the people (not forgetting the pros!). Returns-wise, it’s so much down to luck that I don't expect to ship anything big.
Live poker-wise, yes I’m contemplating trying it sometime at the end of this year, maybe somewhere in the region, say Macau. I definitely still prefer online poker for its convenience though.

Motivation and Black Member whoring

supeyrio, showing us his dual monitor setup for when he is 24-tabling. Source

PokerStrategy.com: Let's say you reach the final table in one of these prestigious live events. Which famous pros would you like to have seated there? For your convenience (yes, I noticed that you're quite lazy), let's say it's six-handed, so give me five other names.

supeyrio: Well, if I’m in a final table, I would want to ship 1st, and most definitely I would pray to be with pros who are not so 'pro' (smiles). However, I will go with the flow and name 5 here: Tom Dwan, Phil Galfond, Phil Ivey (so sick players), Phil Hellmuth (for his pure crap) and Brunson (godfather of poker). I’m a reserved person, I don't like fame.

PokerStrategy.com: I would put Tony G somewhere in there, just to have him call you a 'disgrace to poker'. Anyway, since you're Diamond, you are in the position to give some advices to beginners looking to become better players. What tips do you have for them?

supeyrio: Sorry, I don't watch too much poker to find out why Tony G is a disgrace! I think for the beginners most importantly it is to find reasons why you should playing poker and whether poker is the thing for you. Is it a hobby, or do you intend to make money out of it? Read forums, read articles, watch videos, etc. to find out about more about poker.

I think once a person knows why he's playing poker, and what he aims to achieve by playing poker, he will put in the work to deliver the goods! My point is that being motivated is the crucial step to making leap and bounds improvements in anything one does.

Who doesn't know how to improve by watching more videos read more articles, spend lots of time sweating and hiring a coach etc? Question is: is one motivated enough to do so much to improve oneself? So get the motivation up, and the rest will come.

PokerStrategy.com: According to your poker blog, you are a self-titled "Black Member whore". Since I assume/hope it's not about you prostituting yourself around our Black Members, maybe you can shed some light on this matter.

supeyrio: You're so yesterday sir. 1) The blog title has since been changed. 2) Whoring, according to modern day language has another meaning: someone who does something excessively.

I started the blog with an aim of motivating myself, and getting to know more people in the community. One of my goals is to become a Black Member! It's definitely a mark of poker success, since one still manages to make a living out of poker after paying sooooo much rake!

And also, Black Member whore is definitely eye-catchy enough (hey, caught your eye right?)!  Lastly, I’m definitely a whore (laughs).

Asian chicks and Cristiano Ronaldo

Wow, supeyrio, you played 270k hands last month? That's so sick! Source

PokerStrategy.com: Alright, thanks for explaining the whole whoring part; I had a feeling that you're different. But I wouldn’t laugh about that if I were you. By the way, what's the deal with that Asian chick blog of yours? Check the click/reply ratio, by the way. (also, someone gave you a 1 for the blog - obviously jealous).

supeyrio: Click/reply ratio? Do you have some official statistics gain on? Well Asian chicks, don’t everyone just love 'em? I’m sure you do right??? (laughs)

Anyhow, after much forum reading, I realised that there are many PokerStrategists out there that like Asian chicks and in addition to the fact that I had to release my pre-Bangkok party excitement somewhere, I decided to start a thread to dedicate it solely to Asian babe lovers. Quite a genius, right?? (smiles) That said, can I also take the opportunity to ask for more contributions from fans alike??  Please re-add the link sir.

PokerStrategy.com: I can definitely salute you for your initiative, as everyone loves Asian babes (myself included) - studies have shown that. Regarding the community thing, some time ago you created a Cristiano Ronaldo fan club which, at the moment, has one fan - you. How hilariously pathetic is that?

supeyrio: Damn I keep getting ridiculed in this interview! Is that the reason why you guys wanted me for the interview in the first place!? (laughs) I just created one because I didn't find any lying around, no biggie actually if I’m the only fan! I’m sure now you gave it some publicity, more Ronaldo fans will join yea? *cough* Can we please the next question to be of more substance please?? (laughs)

Living on the edge

PokerStrategy.com: I don't know what 'substance' means. Look, here's your chance to say something 'of substance': why don't you tell us about an 'awesome' real life story that you bragged about in the beginning of the interview?

supeyrio: Oh, I knew that that statement is going to come back and haunt me! Well I just happen to remember stories about my motorbike and myself. I got myself a bike way before I got my licence. And I rode the bike a lot despite the fact that that's illegal.

Did some crazy stuff with the bike, like stealing helmets, because I needed 1 for my pillion, speeding at 130Km/h in the pouring rain in just singlets, shorts and flops, constantly scrapping the bike pedal against the ground when trying to corner as low as possible (like a sick monkey biker), and eventually getting into an accident at no one else's fault but my own! Do you like the story that I cooked up?

supeyrio hasn't paid attention to her since he started playing poker. Source

PokerStrategy.com: Ok, maybe asking you for something 'of substance' was a bad idea. But since we're off-topic already, what can you tell me about your life outside of poker? Do you do anything useful for the society you're living in? Got any hobbies or something?

supeyrio: I’m a university student graduating next year. I don't do a lot outside poker, I like playing basketball, football, video games, some partying, but I pretty much stopped most of them as I’m totally focused on my poker.

I currently lead a pretty much 'no-life' lifestyle, it's just poker poker poker, but that is because ultimately, I hope that this 'no-life' lifestyle can actually lead me to having a 'life' in the near future and beyond. The only useful societal contribution I actually make is constantly improving myself; I will definitely be of +EV to the society in future (smiles).

PokerStrategy.com: I bet you will. Well I think it's time to say good bye, so if you have anything else to add in a foolish attempt to make yourself look better, please go ahead.

supeyrio: Why thank you. my last words has to be a shout out to 1) my fellow singaporean mates CuteGoldFish, SummerMonkey, HandsomePeh, Mblm: Let's do Singapore poker proud!  muahaha; 2) Bangkok crew TwiceT and GooRukYong: Great fun lets do part 2! Oh and thank you Vali sir for all your sick questions, really.

PokerStrategy.com: Thanks for stopping by, glad you enjoyed this. And remember your priorities: update the Asian chick blog and convince at least one more person to join your Cristiano Ronaldo fanclub. Oh, and best of luck with your poker career!

supeyrio: Yes I bet you guys are craving for more Asian chick pix already. khaawp khoon khrap! (thank you in Thai)

Diamond Interview Series: archive, feedback and nomination

supeyrio: i'm definitely not entering into a competition of creativity, against you, ever!
vhallee: well what can i say
vhallee: cocaine is a hell of a drug

PokerStrategy.com Legal Department notice: Please do not use cocaine, as it only gives you a false sense of creativity. And jail time.