"Going from $0.25 to $15 Spins was very easy" — kukushka93RNMD
One of our first Russian students to move up to $15 Spins starting at the smallest stakes talks to us about how he climbed the Spin & Go ranks.
Hi, Alexander! Thanks for finding time to chat with us. Please tell us about yourself first.
: Hello. I'm 25 and less than a year ago I moved back to my hometown in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. I did it to work in my degree field while living close to my relatives. I had already graduated and until recently tried a few jobs as a store clerk, engineer at my university, print worker/designer and the last job I quit this month was as a railroad engineer.
How did you get into poker, and what did your career look like before joining SpinLegends?
: I remember that one of my high school classmates told me that there was a card game called poker. I had just got my internet connection at that point and wanted to know more about the game. I was very curious because I've always loved various games and math. I played all kinds of poker, from Omaha to Badugi. I registered for freerolls at PokerStars for different poker games every 20 minutes. I played lots of them. I was really excited, especially when getting into the money. But my interests shifted with time and I couldn't play poker as much.
I returned to poker from time to time while studying at university, but nothing serious. I tried to play 9-max SNGs, then Spins (when they first appeared) with the last try this March when I played $1 Spin & Go's. I played all these games for a month, a month and a half, and then quit as I didn't understand if I was playing right. Also my poker income was much less compared to my full-time job five days a week. I only deposited $10 at PokerStars once in my life and used to withdraw about $300 from time to time. A successful player, eh?
What made you send an application to SpinLegends?
: There were a few factors. First and most important was the money. Actually, with my higher education and above-average skill set, it's hard to find a job paying even $600/month in my country. At the same time in poker, after some hard work, it's possible to reach $1,000 per month within a much shorter time frame. And, of course, the sky is the limit. Second, it's self-development, education, and communicating with people who share common ideas. It's very hard for me to learn on my own and understand what I'm doing wrong and how I should change my game. In this regard, the school gives a huge amount of content and knowledge, helping you grow much faster.
What limit did you start at and where are you now?
: I started from the bottom with SpinLegends, at the $0.25 limit. After two months I could beat the $3 games. The $7 limit was passed within a month after having played 1,500 tournaments with a ChipEV of 77. For the last two months I've been playing the $15 limit.
How easy were the limits before moving to $15s?
: Very easy really. I only remember having some issues during the first 100 tournaments at the $3s. And for about 500 tournaments at the $7s. It could be I passed the $7 limit by being lucky, I don't know.
What are your current results at the $15 limit and how confident do you feel there?
: I have about 56 ChipEV for 2,500 spins. As for the $15 limit, I can say that I'm generally satisfied with my results, considering the field is much stronger than at the lower limits. But, of course, after my easy ride it's still hard to deal with bursts of variance here, however short.
Early this October, you had two very successful days. First, you won an Ñ…25 spin, and soon after a Ñ…100 at the $15 level. Tell us what you felt back then.
: Yes, this October started very well. As for the Ñ…25, I can say that when I first started playing the $15 limit, I lost two of those. So I really wanted to win that one. I grew stronger and more confident. I was very happy to win it. And next day I saw the Ñ…100. I remember how I was worried. But I was the luckiest player then, hit all the flops, and pretty soon kicked two recreational opponents out. My sister was home at the time. I screamed that I had won some big bucks and went to the stadium.
Had you ever won similar amounts before?
: No. Never. And that was my first multiplier bigger than Ñ…25.
How much different is your understanding and perception of poker now, after playing with SpinLegends for all this time?
: It all changes constantly. When I was playing the micros, I was really surprised by how easily $3 spins could be beaten. Every day, I used to come home from work and played short but profitable sessions. Now I concentrate on poker much more, thinking on my every move and trying to avoid distractions. My understanding of poker has improved tenfold. Of course, I knew some basics, but now I'm so far away from where I was before. Plus I also like how our coach Stepan says that poker is a very simple game. I repeat this to myself before every single session and just try not to perform fancy moves.
How do you handle variance streaks which are unavoidable in spins?
: I don't think I've experienced anything too bad yet. I can only say that if a session doesn't go my way and it's hard to concentrate, I take a break and come back later. I'm not really stressed by bad beats, it's about my own mistakes or the spots I couldn't fully understand.
What are your future plans? When are you going to move at the $30s and what do you expect from this limit?
: I plan to play more. It's my main goal. And keep climbing the limits. I'd like to try the $30s in December. If I improve my ChipEV at the $15 limit in November, I'm going up. I expect more regs to be there, more aggressive play and severe variance.
What are you into besides poker? How do you spend your free time?
: My hobbies are mostly about games and sports. I like soccer, volleyball, Mafia/Werewolf, PC games (mostly online and puzzles). I spend my leisure playing at my PC or doing exercises.
You are one of the first students of the Russian team who could settle at the $15 limit after starting from scratch. What advice would you give to our Silver newcomers, considering your experience?
: As I see it, the Silver team is given enough content to crush the micros easily, without any complicated studies. Just follow our ranges closely. Think through your postflop play. Analyse your hands off the tables.
Thanks for the conversation, Alexander. We hope you reach all your goals!
Thinking about getting staked?
The most reliable way to climb the Spin & Go ranks is by joining SpinLegends. We provide the bankroll, world class coaching, supportand you also get to rail your fellow SpinLegends members.
As soon as you show promise we move you up in stakes and we even take variance out of the equation with EV Insurance.
Related news
- Earn commission referring friends to SpinLegends
- Bronze member wins $720,000 Spin
- SpinLegends members can get EV Insurance
- How to play a x25 Spin
- Watch coffeeyay win a $500 Spin
- Meet the SpinLegends coaches
- How to watch a video with Epistokrat
- How much can you make at Spin & Go?
