What does the term "grinder" mean exactly - Beginning Poker Questions

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What does the term "grinder" mean exactly

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12-01-2010 , 12:04 AM

thechoson

newbie

Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 47

I am under the impression it's somebody that logs in a ton of time playing poker.

The first time I heard the term though was when I watched the movie Rounders, and it almost seemed like the connotation was negative, as in someone who is a nit and doesn't take risks.

So what exactly does the term mean?

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12-01-2010 , 12:08 AM

alexsinn

adept

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 739

Grinder - Grinding it Out
1) A player player who puts in his poker hours in a job-like way
2) Grind it Out: working particularly hard, like when experiencing an unlucky run of cards, to make an acceptable return on your time invested; or when making a solid return when playing from a small bankroll at low limits

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12-01-2010 , 01:49 AM

rustychips

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 527

^^^^ This

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12-01-2010 , 01:52 AM

Number1Hater

Confused About Butt Stuff

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 13,939

grinder is your average poker player. he doesnt get too fancy or try to run over the table. he is patient, puts in hours at the tables, and wins at a small rate.

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12-01-2010 , 06:13 AM

DiamondDog

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,474

See also rakeback grinder = someone who plays a s**t-load of hands, breaking even, but making a decent income from rakeback.

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12-01-2010 , 08:15 AM

elendil200

adept

Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,028

The term comes from the old brick & mortar casinos, when poker players play very long sessions they often need a stimulant to continue so they can stay up. The abuse of stimulants makes one grind their teeth, hence the term "grinder".

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12-01-2010 , 08:25 AM

YouFaiil

Concept of the Week Author

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 13,505

The modern day grinder, wakes up sits at their computer, eats drinks at their computer, doesn't go to the toilet, pisses in a bottle and loves every second of it.

Really just means winning at a steady rate, working really hard on their game and putting in the time.

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12-01-2010 , 01:59 PM

Fuzzball

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 642

I've always taken the term as meaning monotonous, repetitive action over a long(ish) period of time. You hear it a lot in online RPG games as well as poker. "I'm grinding the orcs at the dark cave for gold today".

I would think it comes more the "Nose to the grindstone" expression than from stimulant use. If you're working hard you've got your nose to the grindstone. When it gets shortened, as everything does in modern language, you're just grinding.

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12-01-2010 , 02:01 PM

Fuzzball

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 642

Here's a link full of even more definitions to amuse and confuse you:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=grinder

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