Svet1ks: "You can live anywhere playing poker"
Miss Russian Community 2015, Svet1ks sat down with us to discuss what poker means to her.
: Hi, Svetlana! Now, it's been a few days since the contest finished, what can you tell us about it and the result? Specifically, what did you like about the contest and what would you like to change? This wasn't your first time there, so why did you decide to participate this year?
svet1ks: Hi, everybody. I'm very glad I decided to take part after all. This year's contest was very action-packed; the bar was set even higher. I very much liked the photos and videos from other girls and their enthusiasm in preparation and how the spectators supported their favourites, also the fact that a video greeting has become almost mandatory.
In terms of dislikes, there were some aggressive fans who were misbehaving at times. But it probably comes with the territory and there would be no show otherwise. Of course, there's something to be said about the organisation, but we have a separate feedback thread for this, so it would be better to post there.
When I was publishing my claim, I thought Nonna mupamypa and Maria manu6 would be my main competition, but when Liya liay5 joined, the situation changed. It was all very intriguing and I thank everybody for their support.
: Please tell us how you learnt about poker and how your career has been developing? What stage are you currently at and what are your recent accomplishments?
svet1ks: My first poker experience was in Kiev at two poker clubs there. I played freeroll tournaments before moving on to online freerolls at partypoker, who I registered with through PokerStrategy.com.
Then there were cash games. I started at NL5 and, for quite some time, I wasn't that serious about poker until it became my main source of income in early 2015. Throughout the year, I played limits from NL20 through NL100 and sometimes even NL200. Currently though, I play NL50 SH.
"A profitable career is my main poker accomplishment"
:Why did you choose this particular discipline?
svet1ks: Cash games are very close to me. I don't have enough patience to play anything else so cash games reflect my character. Between full-ring and shorthanded games, I prefer shorthanded as they are faster and more dynamic. I've made profit throughout my whole career so that's my main poker accomplishment so far.
"I don't plan to give up poker"
: What's so attractive about poker? Is it a long-term occupation, or are you thinking about quitting it soon?
svet1ks: I can't really say why I got into poker. For me it's a mix of logic, maths and gambling. The main factor, I think, was the prospect of a good income and financial independence. And, no, at the moment, I don't plan to give up poker.
: What are your poker goals?
svet1ks: My poker goal is to settle at NL100 and play this limit profitably. Then, I'd like to move even higher someday.
"I have knowledge but lack discipline"
: I know that you pay a great deal of attention to the psychological side of the game. Why is it so important and how do you work on it?
svet1ks: As I understand it, I have enough knowledge to play at the desired limit, but I lack discipline and can't avoid making mistakes, unnecessary calls and other bad table habits. That's why I consider psychology one of the most important parts of poker. Jared Tendler helps me with that a lot. Somebody called his books "The Bible of Psychology", and I agree with that.
: Who are more prone to tilt, men or women? Does sex even make a difference here?
svet1ks: I wouldn't say sex has anything to do with it. Maybe men and women are different in terms of their own forms of tilt but, in the end, it all comes to psychological types and individual mind-set.
"My blog is my home"
: Your blog is a very important part of your life. It's one of the most popular blogs within the Russian community. Why do you think that is?
svet1ks: My blog is my favourite place at PokerStrategy.com, I feel like I'm home there. Mostly, I think it's popular because I'm a girl and I can discuss things both poker and non-poker. The blog helps me track my progress and is like a poker hand history. It really helps you when you are looking through your game, trying to implement something new or find out what's going wrong. You can also measure your downswings. During hard times it helps you to understand that things will pass and you need to be patient.
Poker aside, I love my blog for many new acquaintances. This forum has blessed me with many fine people in my life. My blog also serves as a discussion club for poker and other non-poker topics and I don't expect anything from my readers as I write the blog mostly for myself. But I'm glad if it's helpful to someone or makes them smile. Feel free to join the party.
"Offline meetings add to my poker motivation"
: You often meet offline with other people from this forum. Please tell us about it. What do you do?
svet1ks: Yes, I meet people from our forum offline. This is a very valuable experience, because these people understand me and my lifestyle, unlike others. They always add to my motivation for my next poker victories. In terms of our offline activities, there are quest rooms, videogames and parties.
"Fitness can change not only the way you look"
: What do you do in your spare time? What helps you to unwind and recover your energy?
svet1ks: I try to spend this time socialising with my relatives and friends and meeting new people. This works as both distraction from poker and as a recreational activity.
There are different hobbies, of course. Sport is a great help and I frequent the gym. In poker, it helps to keep your stamina up to the challenge. It can change not only the way you look, but also improve your inner qualities, build confidence and help you in general. Recently, I started to coach one of my friends. This is as exciting as my own exercises and I can't wait to see her first results.
"You can live anywhere by playing poker"
: Recently, you posted in your blog that you like Asia very much, especially Thailand. Where else in the world do you like? Where have you been and where do you want to go, and where do you like to spend most of your time, and why?
svet1ks: So far I've been to Thailand, Singapore, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Russia. At the moment, I'm really aiming towards South East Asia. I would also like to visit USA and Italy one day too. I can't really pinpoint a location to live in since I haven’t been to that many places yet, and I haven't even decided if I want to leave my country. After all, you can live anywhere by playing poker.
"PokerStrategy.com changed my life"
: Finally, do you want to add anything else?
svet1ks: I'd like to add this: I'm very glad to have learnt about PokerStrategy.com, this site dramatically changed my life. It sounds big, but poker is my job and I write my blog here too. Plus, now I have awesome poker friends who have appeared in my life, all thanks to this site.
I'd like to send my best regards to all my followers who visit my blog and voted for me in the contest. I was very pleased to realise how many people supported me and railed for me during the contest.
In terms of poker, I wish you all lots of patience and discipline in your favourite games, good luck at the tables and, of course, only rely on yourself. In real life, I wish you soul harmony, warmth and the kindness of your loved ones. I also hope you're bringing happiness to the people around you.
Thanks, for the interview, Svetlana! Once again, congratulations with the title of Miss Russian Community 2015!
Blog: "Live from the Fish Tank" (in Russian)
