Players outside the poker funds often call them the evil of the poker world. They believe that others are there because of bad habits, and that the owners of the "stables" are pleased to profit from the slave labor of their horses.
If a player has a solid bankroll, a deep understanding of the game and iron discipline, he hardly needs help. But what if there are gaps in at least one of these points?
Every player goes through similar stages in their development – funds combine this experience and offer ready-made solutions: a deep bankroll and stable access to a great game selection, as well as a poker school with a clear training structure and competent coaches. Yes, you will have to pay for this with a share of your earnings, but it saves you from many losses. In addition, the game from the fund is often held at stakes higher than those that individual players can afford.
We approached the GreenLine Poker Fund with questions that plague many regs who are still conquering poker, lone wolf style.
Why Should a Winning Regular Give 50% to the Poker Fund?
Giving away what you've earned through your labor is always unpleasant. But, it's one thing to pay taxes that go who knows where, and another to know that this money pays for your progress and the services that the foundation provides you.
What kind of expensive services are these?
1. An Infinite Bankroll
How many times have you been ready to move up, but didn't have enough funds to climb through the stakes? With the fund, this won't be a problem. One of the main advantages of GreenLine is the ability to play at stakes that suit your skill, not your bankroll.
The fund gives the opportunity to try yourself at high stakes without the fear of losing everything. For a player who constantly makes cashouts for a living, growth in stakes often remains an unattainable dream. Promising players get stuck in the "comfort" zone at NL25, if it's enough to live on, although they could earn several times more playing mid-stakes.
2. Training Systems and Personal Coaching
The fund and your coach are financially interested in your progress. It is beneficial for us that our players grow faster in stakes, so we have collected a huge library of training materials on all poker issues.
You won't have to spend years looking for a competent coach. All GreenLine coaches are time-tested, playing regulars who know all the modern trends at different stakes. Coaches are always in touch: they will help you figure out where the mistakes are and provide real solutions.
Basically, you don't have limited hours for individual training, you can contact the trainer at any time when you encounter a problem.
3. Personal Psychologists
The very fact of playing for the fund gives psychological relief. You no longer need to guess how long the down streaks and dark days will last, because the risks are entirely on the fund. This allows you to focus exclusively on your poker growth and development.
Many will wave their hand and say that they don’t need a psychologist, but every professional knows that psychology in poker is often more important than technical training. It is extremely difficult to admit to yourself that you can’t handle it. There are situations when a player is already psychologically burned out, but continues to play as if nothing happened, not realizing the problem, just like in that meme with a dog in a burning house.
The fund will help you see your weaknesses and overcome them. Even the most skeptical players will recognize the value of this area in the fund structure after a couple of sessions with a mental coach.
4. Access to a Poker Community
At the poker table, everyone is on their own, and many players spend their days alone — analyzing their mistakes and experiencing downswings on their own, with no one to talk to or consult with. In extreme cases, there is a conference of several people, the same regulars from your stakes.
In the fund, you can communicate on equal terms with players who play much higher, and they, along with the coach, will always be able to support and share valuable advice. In a community with people who think in similar categories, there will always be someone to discuss not only strategy and hands, but also any everyday issues.
5. Start at Higher Stakes
As a rule, the standard story is as follows: the player plays a conditional NL50, has an expectation of $1,000-1,500 per month, most of which he withdraws to live. Periodically they may take shots at NL100, but without success. This situation is a dead end, because over time, more money is needed to live.
In this case, the player may have a win-win story with the fund. The player needs a bigger bankroll to gain a foothold at NL100+, and the fund needs a plus player at the highest stakes that he can handle.
At GreenLine, you will start the game x2 from your current working stakes without any risk. In addition, if you are a competent player, your win rate will at least remain at the same level, and most likely will even increase due to selected games and constant training.
5. Vetted Games and Software
The negative attitude towards mobile poker developed at the time when Chinese applications were living out their last days. You could read about bots, teamplay and other dirt on every corner. In modern applications, the possibility of unfair play is also present, but you will not get access to such places – the fund is interested in your results and will not provide backing where there is no chance to show a plus.
As for the inconvenient software, it's still a matter of habit, you can get used to it in a week. The downside is rather the need to have a powerful computer, as well as the fact that the game is slower than in Eurorooms. But you won't have to waste time searching for the game itself – we will always tell you where the best teams are now and give you access to them. You just turn on the computer and do what you love, without being distracted by unnecessary actions.
If you like grinding 9+ tables, then you shouldn't go into apps – it will be inconvenient there. Apps are more about selection, thoughtful play and moving up in stakes. But in the long run, this approach has more EV than grinding for leaderboards/rakeback.
Poker is freedom, and funds are contractual slavery. You'll need to work around the clock, right?
Six-digit distances in the contract are a thing of the past. The contract in the GreenLine cash fund is 90k hands, on average it takes 3-4 months to play out such a distance. Whether this is a lot or a little, everyone decides for themselves. It is important to understand that no one will run after the player with a stick and force him to play out the contract – there will always be a solution that will satisfy both parties. In the poker world, where everything is based on trust, parting well is one of the main rules.
Before signing a contract, each player has the opportunity to see and feel everything for themselves – the test period lasts 3,000 hands, which are paid for by the fund. During this time, you can get acquainted with the software and the inner workings of the fund. If you don't like it, you can just leave, regardless of the result.
Do I have to wait 3 months for the first payments?
Of course not! The fund has an advance payment system. As a rule, the player receives his profit at the end of the first month. In addition, we always meet players halfway in difficult life circumstances, providing feasible financial assistance. We equally value each player, regardless of the stakes played.
You have a factory approach, but I need an individual one!
We understand your concerns, because we are the largest fund on the market. But an individual approach is what GreenLine's work is based on. We do have many players, but we look for an individual approach to each one, because there is no universal one.
Coaches take into account your specific goals, strengths and weaknesses, analyze your hands in detail, help you work on specific leaks, and answer any personal questions.
Each player gets a coach that best suits his playing style to ensure complete mutual understanding. If for some reason you can't find a common language with the coach, we will find you another one.
What if I immediately catch an unlucky streak and go into the negative? Will I have to win it back forever until I reimburse the fund for all losses?
GreenLine has a no-obligation makeup system: if a player ends a contract in the minus and decides to leave, he can do so freely, without wagering requirements. We have been in poker for a long time and understand that this is a game of dispersion. Our goal is to help everyone develop and grow in stakes, and not to bind them with obligations.
In addition, the fund has a stop-loss system that prevents deep drawdowns. As soon as a player loses a set number of buy-ins, he contacts a coach to analyze mistakes and adjust the game.
We do everything to make every player feel confident, and when he needs help – be it variance in poker or personal problems – the GreenLine team will always provide it.
What happens if I can't demonstrate the required win rate? Will I be kicked out of the fund?
When a player grows, even if slower than others, no one will kick him out. If you work on the game and listen to the advice of mentors, then a good result is a matter of time. The fund understands this perfectly well, so no one pays attention to short-term results. The primary thing is working on the game, not an instant result.
I am a competent player and I don't want my game to be remodeled and forced to fit your strategy.
Our approach is not to change what works well. There is no "GreenLine strategy", no one will break the game of a plus regular. You can be given advice: what, where and how to improve. And then, if there is a need for it for YOU.
All group training is voluntary, as is individual work with a coach. It is up to you to decide whether to listen to the opinion of a competent coach or not. But in situations where we see that a player has serious leaks that negatively affect the result, we strongly advise following the recommendations of our coaches.
Ultimately, the choice is always yours. The fund is your tool on the road to success. When you use it and how long it takes you to finally do it is up to you.