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darinvg

Darin Van Gammeren (darinvg)

Born: March 2, 1977

Site of Choice: Pokerstars (VIP Status: Supernova Elite)

Occupation: Professional poker player - since May 2008
SitnGoGrinders How long have you been playing poker - how did you get started?
 

My Dad taught me the basics in high school and I played some nickel-dime stakes with friends. I started playing a weekly $20 dealers choice game when I was 26 years old in Gainesville, FL. I made my first online deposit in February 2004 and played my first $11 SNG on PartyPoker.

SitnGoGrinders What are your ambitions?
 

I’m really happy playing SNGs online so I have no plans of moving to cash games or to the live circuit. My goal is to be one of the best full-ring turbo SNG players online. I also plan to achieve SupernovaElite status at PokerStars every year. I will get to play in the PCA and EPT Monte Carlo next year for getting SNE. A nice finish there would be great but I’m just excited about the experience.

SitnGoGrinders What made you specilaize in the area that you have?
 

I play full-ring turbo SNGs. I choose to play the turbos because my biggest concern is obtaining the highest hourly income. Also, my biggest asset is the push/fold portion of SNGs which is more important in the turbos. The only reason I play full-ring versus 6-max is because that’s where I started and I’ve put way more time into studying full-ring. The strategy (especially bubble play) is quite different in full-ring vs 6-max.

SitnGoGrinders How much do you expect to earn by playing professionally?
 

I’d rather not say but I make more than I would at a regular job and I don’t have to deal with a boss.

SitnGoGrinders Whats your HW setup for playing??

I have an HP Pavilion, Core 2 Quad computer (no idea, my computer buddy picked it out).
30" and 20" monitors.
APC backup power.
AT&T backup internet card.
Laptop computer for backup.

I also use HEM, Tourney Manager and SNG Wizard.
SitnGoGrinders Tell us something about yourself?
 

I grew up on a farm near Inwood, IA with my parents Bill and Carol and my younger brother Jared. I have a BS, MAEd and PhD in Exercise Science/Physiology. My PhD is from the University of Florida. This is where I started playing poker on a regular basis. I currently live near Philadelphia, PA with my girlfriend Katie.

   
You can find Darin's blog here.