"It's Silly How Much Value People Place on VPPs" - Interview with George Lind
He is one of the most successful Sit and Go players in the world and has earned more VPPs than anyone on the planet - we talk with PokerStars Team Online Pro George "jor95" Lind.
"I enjoy grinding so the VPPs and the money come naturally"
PokerStrategy.com: As one of the most prolific SuperNova Elites on PokerStars, how tough is it to achieve?
George Lind: Since I play high limit games the points come very quickly, so it's not hard for me to get it. For your average grinder playing lower stakes, it definitely takes a lot of dedication and discipline to get there.
PokerStrategy.com: How did you prepare for SNE? What targets did you set for monthly volume for example?
George Lind: I don't really prepare or set targets ever. I'm not a very goal-oriented person generally. Luckily I just enjoy grinding, so the VPPs and the money come in naturally.
If I'm playing the lower stake games like the $74s, I will play as many as 30 tables at once. The most I've had open at one time is 68, but that was a bit hectic.
When I'm playing the higher stakes games, like SCOOP or WCOOP, I usually max out at around 8-10 tables - obviously I need to pay more attention to things at the higher stakes games if I want to win.
"It's silly how much value is placed on VPP achievements"
PokerStrategy.com: Would you say earn rate is still always number one priority, or do you think a break even player should try and go for SNE?
George Lind: Well there's a common misconception here. When it comes down to it, what is the difference between person #1 who makes $50/hr in the games and $50/hr in VPPs, and person #2 who breaks even in the games but makes $100/hr in rakeback?
Last time I checked, the $100 cash they are making each hour spends exactly the same. So the term "break even grinder" really doesn't mean much.
You should just do whatever makes you the most money in the long run, and whatever you enjoy doing the most (hopefully those are the same thing).
PokerStrategy.com: How do you keep yourself motivated when grinding for SNE gets tough and during downswings?
George Lind: I'm currently in a pretty bad downswing and my motivation has been pretty terrible the last few months. The games aren't going off as much now which is part of the problem. But I recently did a lot of work retooling my game a bit and now I'm pretty excited to grind again.
PokerStrategy.com: How does it feel to have the world record for VPPs?
George Lind: It's neat but it's really not that big a deal. My goal is never to get VPPs directly, but to just make the most money I can. If that happens to get me a lot of VPPs then so be it. It's kind of silly how much value people place on VPP achievements in lieu of just making money.
"Playing too many tables is a common mistake"
PokerStrategy.com: Although you play SNGs, you are also known for playing a lot of mixed games. Does the sheer volume in SNGs help you at all in these games despite being fundamentally very different?
George Lind: I mean, poker is poker and math is math, so in some respect I suppose it does, but really it's two completely different mindsets.
The SNGs I play are more robotic where i know the correct play instantly 95+% of the time, whereas in mixed games there can be a lot of debate in some hands as to what the correct play is.
PokerStrategy.com: How have the standard of SNGs changed in the last few years?
George Lind: The games are much tougher and continue to get tougher. You really have to work hard at it to stay ahead of the curve. I got lazy about this the last half-year or so and it showed in my results.
PokerStrategy.com: What's the biggest mistake you see SNG regs make in 2013?
George Lind: Playing in games where jorj95 is signed up 🙂
Really, it's probably playing too many tables is a common mistake. There's a point for everyone where they lose money by adding another table and that point is probably lower for most people than they would think it is.
