Nick Rainey is currently undertaking a Sit & Go challenge to become the World Record holder for most Sit & Gos played in one month. Rainey, who uses the online handle “Stinko_Mikko”, is attempting to play 16,000 SNGs at Full Tilt Poker and make a profit of $10,000.
Recently, he took time away from his busy schedule to sit down with Tourneyblog and answer some questions for us.
Tourney Blog: How long have you been playing poker professionally? Do you play mostly online or live action games? What drew you to Sit & Gos exactly?
Nick Rainey: I have been playing poker for 8 years, but the past 2 years I have stepped up the intensity and now it’s my number one source of income. I play mostly online... do people actually still play live anymore? I started playing SNGs because the bad beats don’t sting as much as they do in cash games and I don’t handle losing very well.
TB: What prompted you to start this SNG poker challenge?
NR: I wanted to try to play a large amount of SNGs as a personal challenge, but then decided to put it out there as a prop bet. It is extra motivation for me when other people are watching.
TB: How are you progressing on the challenge so far? Is there anywhere my readers can find up-to-date information on your progress?
NR: I have finished over 6,000 sngs and am up around $4,000, so I’m right on pace. You can check out my blog at sngnick.blogspot.com to get daily updates.
TB: So far, what would you consider your biggest success as a poker professional to be?
NR: I have had decent winnings at poker events live and online, but I feel that being able to support myself and my family off of my poker winnings would be my biggest success.
TB: Would you recommend poker as a career for my readers? What kinds of advice would you give to someone considering poker as a profession?
NR: Before you decide to make poker your profession, be sure that you know you are a winning player and have the confidence and bankroll to take the swings.
TB: Let’s stop for a second to play what I call the Tourneyblog lightning round. We’re going to give you some quick questions. Just give your first response:
Do you prefer … tournaments or ring games?
NR: tournaments
TB: Live action or online poker?
NR: online poker
TB: Hold’em or Stud?
NR: Hold'em
TB: Limit or no-limit?
NR: no-limit
TB: Texas or Omaha Hold’em?
NR: Texas Hold'em
TB: low stakes or high stakes?
NR: high-stakes
TB: tight or loose?
NR: tight
TB: aggressive or passive?
NR: very aggressive
TB: tilted or unemotional?
NR: tilted...can you play any other way?
TB: Are there any Sit & Go strategy tips you’d like to share with our readers?
NR: I strongly suggest that you tighten up your play early, and loosen up later.
TB: Perhaps there’s something we missed that you’d like to discuss?
NR: You can also check out the webcam I have set up during this challenge at stickam.com/16ksng. I try to interact with the viewers as much as I can and would appreciate your readers’ feedback.
TB: How can my readers get in touch with you online?
NR: You can read my blog at sngnick.blogspot.com. They can also interact with me at PokerVT.com.
Thanks, Nick for taking the time to speak with us. We wish you all the luck and success with your SNG world record and in your poker career.