Most grinders do not lose money because they play poorly from a technical standpoint. They lose because they play tired, in the wrong environment and at the wrong time.
For years, online poker was sold as a volume game. More tables, more hands, more hours, higher chances of winning. That logic can work short term, but it breaks quickly when consistency and high performance are the goal.
EV is not created only by decisions made on the button or the river. It starts well before the session, away from the tables.
Tired players make worse decisions. Players without routine force marginal spots. Emotionally drained players confuse variance with technical mistakes. None of this destroys a bankroll in one day, but all of it silently erodes results over weeks and months.
Sleep, nutrition, mental rest and routine are not “healthy lifestyle” topics. They are performance tools. Ignoring them means accepting to play at a disadvantage.
Another often underestimated factor is where you play. Heavy rake, inefficient structures and unfavourable fields create constant friction. More friction means more effort for the same outcome, more mental wear and more room for mistakes.
Playing better is not only about studying more hands. It is about reducing noise, choosing when to play and selecting environments that support consistent decisions.
Before your next session, the honest question is not “how many tables will I open?”, but “am I in the right condition to play well?”.
EV is also built off the tables.
