"Never stop learning" - Taranich

We chat to our Russian member who climbed from $15 to $100 Spins in less than a year about his process.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. First, tell a little about yourself.

Taranich: Hello everyone! I am 30 years old and currently live in the Republic of Karelia, which I love with all my heart. I graduated from the construction department of my local University, then worked for several years as an engineer and, of course, combined these processes with my favorite business - poker.

You have been a PokerStrategy member for more than ten years, can you remember how it all began for you?

Taranich: Yes, I think nobody can forget the moments that forever changed the course of their life. It all started in 2005, then poker was shown on TV in the evenings, I watched, delved into it and, of course, I wanted to try everything myself! The final push was on a train journey, somebody left a magazine lying around and there was an advert for a poker room on it. Upon returning home, I immediately registered and started playing freerolls. Then it was paradise, just 200-300 people playing for $500. I played every evening and after a few months not only did I have my first bankroll, I was making withdrawals. 

When did you decide to quit your career as a builder and focus entirely on poker?Was this decision difficult for you? And how did your loved ones react to it?

Taranich: It was August 2013, by that time my “hobbies” (poker) brought me a  incomparably greater income, and most importantly, I enjoyed the process. Those close to me knew about poker but still urged me to get a 'real' job. These days they don't say that. 

What games did you play and when did you realise you could become a professional?

I somehow immediately settled on single table SNGs and most of my career (until 2017-2018) and played just them - first for $5, then for $10 and so on, right up to the limits of $100- $200. I started making enough money to live on in 2012.

What brought you to Spin & Go's?

Taranich: By 2017, making money in SNGs became problematic, and I decided that something needed to change. I knew it would be hard to relearn a new format and Spins were the closest to SNGs, and also attracted the most recreational players. 

What was the reason for joining the SpinLegends team?

Taranich: It's simple. I was good enough for the $7 limits and maybe the $15s, but I wanted more. Knowing how important PokerStrategy was for my SNG career, I decided you could help me again. 

You now play $100 Spins, how was the climb up the limits?

Taranich: With the right balance of theory and practice, these limits should not be difficult because there are not many regulars who play Spins with a well balanced game. I beat all these limits the first time and without delay, $15 with a chipEV of 73, $30-$40 with a chipEV of 60 and $60 with chipEV of 47.

How is it right now at the $100 level?

Taranich: At $100, there is not yet enough volume yet to draw any conclusions, because I mix this limit with the lower ones. The limit is definitely more difficult than the previous ones but with a deeper study of the theory, I think everything will work out.

How much study do you do?

Taranich: Every day on average I study for two hours. This includes attending training sessions, independent work with solvers, discussing distributions/strategies with like-minded people. Poker is a process where it is impossible to learn all the theoretical concepts in a month or even a year, therefore, you should never stop learning!

Playing at professional limits requires a lot of energy. How do you keep fit?

Taranich: I spend more than three hours every day on the street, walking with a dog. In the winter I like to ski.

I heard the opinion that many poker pros are single-minded people who are not inclined to communicate outside of poker communities. How important is the balance between professional activity and social life? Do you have any hobbies that help you take a break from poker?

Taranich: Balance is important in everything. Man is a biosocial being, it would be foolish to deny it, his nature. I spend a lot of time walking with friends, playing "Mozgoboyni" (Brain Slaughterhouse), going to the football, traveling, etc. I am always happy to meet/chat with someone new, because the world is beautiful with a variety of people and opinions.

The practice of online poker has the great advantage that you are not attached to a permanent place of residence and have great freedom of movement. Have you managed to take advantage of this freedom, and what interesting places haved you happened to visit?

Taranich: Yes, this is a nice bonus in our sphere, and I have already managed to visit a lot of places in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Russia traveled a lot (from Murmansk to Sochi, from St. Petersburg to Novosibirsk). But I want to continue living in Karelia! As they say, visiting is good, but at home is better. I take this opportunity to invite everyone to visit our beautiful land!

What are your future plans? What goals would you like to achieve in the near and distant future?

Taranich: My upcoming poker plans are to gain a foothold at $100 and to not slow down in theoretical training. But in general the main thing is to be happy and have fun in every particular moment.

Thank you for the conversation, Maxim, and we wish you to achieve all your goals!

Taranich: Yes, I would like to say a big thank you to the whole SpinLegends team, you are doing your job in high quality! And a special hello to xxSTEPANxx, as his training has greatly influenced my poker thinking!

Thank you for your attention, I wish everyone less stress in our difficult task!

Interviewed by Vladimir

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