"I'm not just auto piloting" - Interview with Randy "nanonoko" Lew
We catch up with Team PokerStars Online Pro Randy Lew to discuss the finer points of mass multi-tabling.
Having previously found fame as a professional video gamer, Randy Lew transferred his skills to online poker. Although he has made a name for himself by winning APPT Macau and becoming a Team PokerStars Online Pro, he is best known for the sick volume he puts in online.
A multiple-time SuperNova Elite on PokerStars, Randy is one of the most successful multi-tablers in the game and has already played millions of hands. We grabbed a few words with him to learn more about putting in insane amounts of volume.
"I have learned lots from just massive volume"
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| Team PokerStars Online |
PokerStrategy.com: How do you go through the process of adding more tables? Do you do it gradually or just push yourself to the max?
nanonokoPS: I would say it's gradual because when I'm ready to play a bunch of tables, I usually have to join a lot of wait lists. So when I start getting on a couple games, I'll play those until I get on to more games.
PokerStrategy.com: With the amount of time you spend playing, do you manage to find time to work on your game away from the tables?
nanonokoPS: I'm the type of person that likes to work on my game at the tables. If I have something I want to try or evaluate, I find it easier for me to learn when I'm experiencing situations first hand. Usually time away from the tables, I'm focusing on other things.
PokerStrategy.com: Is the experience you have from playing so many hands the most valuable form of education?
nanonokoPS: For me, my experience and volume is very valuable to making me the player I am today. I have learned lots from just massive volume. The thing is, that when I'm playing, I'm not just auto piloting everyday, I'm constantly thinking which fine tunes my game. Practice makes perfect.
"Grinding lots of hands helps you through downswings"
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| 24 Tabling PokerStars |
PokerStrategy.com: How much easier does grinding thousands of hands a day help with dealing with downswings?
nanonokoPS: Grinding lots of hands every day helps you get through downswings a lot faster. If you're a winning player, you'll see the long run faster which helps your mental state. The sooner you can refocus and get back on your A-game, the better off you'll be.
PokerStrategy.com: How easily does that experience transfer over to live poker?
nanonokoPS: Having experienced upswings and downswings many times in short periods of time refines my way of thinking. Live poker has lots of variance from your true win rate due to the tiny amount of volume.
Although it sucks to take a bad beat in live poker since recovering takes even longer, understanding and experiencing downswings on a day to day basis will make tough beats sting a whole lot less.
PokerStrategy.com: Have you ever done any volume based prop bets?
nanonokoPS: No I haven't done any volume based prop bets, I'm easily self motivated so it's not necessary.
"I don't throw game selection out of the window"
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| Winning APPT Macau |
PokerStrategy.com: By playing 24 tables at once, do you essentially throw game selection out of the window or is there room for that?
nanonokoPS: I don't throw game selection out of the window but I definitely won't be as picky as if I'm playing only 1 table. Generally though, at midstakes I'll play any game as I'm more motivated to put in volume.
PokerStrategy.com: You do lots of cool stuff like travelling, video games, and making videos. How do you find the time to do this and play so much poker?
nanonokoPS: Ever since Black Friday, my poker scheduling has changed. I live a life where I play tons of poker in periods then I take breaks when I'm visiting back in my home town.
This gives me lots of opportunities to spend time away from poker doing hobbies. It also helps that fans want to hear from and about me, so it motivates me to put out content and update them on what's going on.
PokerStrategy.com: How helpful was playing video games competitively to getting you started in poker? Was it just a starting point or were there genuine advantages to playing video games?
nanonokoPS: Playing video games competitively was a jump start to poker. I love a good game and I love competition. Naturally when I was introduced to poker, it immediately grabbed my attention.
The natural advantages I have due to video games is probably, the competitive drive as well as the ability to mass multi-table because often times in video games, you have to be able to make a decision very quickly.
By Barry Carter
