Grind

Detailed Explanation

To grind is to play patiently and persistently with small bets over long sessions, typically with a conservative bankroll management approach. Grinders prioritise longevity over big wins, accepting low variance in exchange for extended play time. The term is most commonly applied to poker players who grind out small but consistent profits over high volumes of hands.

In casino table games, a grinder plays minimum-bet games for maximum time, often focusing on games with low house edges (baccarat Banker bet, blackjack with basic strategy) and avoiding high-variance bets. The discipline often extracts maximum comp value relative to actual theoretical loss.

Professional poker grinders operate differently: they select games where they have a genuine skill edge over opponents, which makes long-term profitability achievable. Grinding requires emotional resilience to variance and rigid adherence to bankroll management.