Learn from Bencb’s AMA: MTTs, Mindset, Study & More

Who is Benjamin Rolle, aka Bencb?

Benjamin “Bencb” Rolle is a legendary online poker figure renowned for his high-stakes play and tournament successes. With millions in online earnings and a WSOP online title to his name, Bencb has cemented his place among the game’s elite.

Ben combines a disciplined, analytical style with a strong exploitative edge- an approach that has paid dividends handsomely over the years. Here is a snapshot of the man and his notable achievements:

• CoinPoker Username: Bencb
• Place of Birth: Cottbus, Germany
• Years Playing Poker: Over 15 years
• Poker Specialty: Online MTTs, High-Stakes Sit & Gos
• Online Poker Earnings: ~$40 million
• WSOP Titles: 1- 2025 Online Main Event

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Highlights of Bencb’s AMA on Reddit

Ben’s AMA on Reddit drew a large crowd of poker enthusiasts. In the 90-minute session, he faced rapid-fire questions from fans worldwide, totaling almost one per minute!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, topping the list of questions came queries about poker tournament strategy. Ben also fielded plenty of interest about mindset and study routines from a crowd eager to learn from the legend.

The top 5 most popular themes for the Bencb AMA were:

1. Tournament poker strategy: 18 questions
2. Developing a strong poker mindset: 12 questions
3. Studying poker effectively: 10 questions
4. Online poker platforms: 8 questions
5. Exploitative play and spotting mistakes: 7 questions

Some of the most upvoted questions focused on bridging study with actual play and handling variance, which Ben, of course, expertly responded to.

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Bencb on His Career

Most questions we focused on Bencb’s tournament prowess and poker mindset, but several people wanted to ask about his career. Ben answered questions about his rise to success and partnering with CoinPoker.

Success doesn’t come quickly, even for players like Ben.

Question: “A lot of pros describe a ‘turning point’ where they went from break even or losing, into a pro profit generator. Do you remember that moment for you? What changed?”

Ben’s Answer: “I did not have it. For me, it was a slow, constant improvement and growth, which also reflected in my results.”

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To one fan, Ben gave a quick rundown of his career.

Question: “Can you just give a progression timeline for your poker career? You’re obviously playing the biggest games now. When did you start, and how big were you playing? How fast did you propel to the top?”

Ben’s Answer: “I started in 2009 grinding $1 SNGs and grinded my way up to $5,000 SNGs and then transitioned into tournaments. It took me until 2012 or so to make it to $50 – $100 SNGs.”

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One Redditor asked about why Ben aligned with CoinPoker. 

Question: “What drew you to CoinPoker and led you to choose to become an ambassador for the site? Thanks and congrats!”

Ben’s Answer: “Their vision is to invest heavily in tournaments and offer healthy guarantees, as well as run ongoing promotions. And of course, their willingness to invest in events for our community on a monthly basis.”

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Ben also revealed the main motivation for creating the CoinMasters series. 

Question: “How did you come up with the idea of CoinMasters with Pads? Do you think it’s about bringing back the poker dream for players, or more for regs looking for some extra value? Still a sick idea BTW!!!”

Ben’s Answer: “Yeah, it was a very cool idea, and I am happy CoinPoker listened to our feedback. At the beginning, it was more about $$$ as prizes until Pads and I had the idea to give a poker career to one winner.

That’s what everyone is dreaming of, right?”

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Bencb on Tournament Poker: MTT Tips & Strategy

With millions in online MTT winnings and a reputation for elite decision-making, Ben’s insights on tournament poker strategy carry real weight.

Identifying problems with results is not always easy, especially in poker tournaments.

Question: “I have 6.5bb/100 over 75k hands and 1,100 MTTs with a $15 average buy-in. My ROI is -24%. Am I just a losing player, or is bb/100 even relevant?”

Ben’s Answer: “bb/100 is often misleading. It looks like you struggle in deeper stages, perhaps misplaying many ICM situations. You should focus more on the later stages.”

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Ben also thinks patience can outweigh bluffing and tricky plays in softer games.

Question: “In small tournaments with mostly recreational players, do I need to bluff, or should I just wait for good hands?”

Ben’s Answer: “Then raise and bet bigger! Yes, you don’t need to bluff in those games. Maybe bluff c-bet in HU pots. But just wait for good hands.”

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Adjusting to the player mix at your table is critical.

Question: “How do you approach multiway spots with both strong regulars and big recreationals?”

Ben’s Answer: “If I have a good hand with a recreational involved, I play very ABC style. I bomb it if I have it—I am super greedy. With regulars involved, I have to be a bit more careful and balanced with strong hands.”

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Relying solely on solvers can limit practical learning, but there is a secret to tournament poker success.

Question: “How should I study tournament poker beyond solvers?”

Ben’s Answer: “A solver does not teach you to exploit. You play against an unrealistic opponent that doesn’t exist. Learn from someone who can teach you how to make money with poker and exploit bad players without losing money vs strong opponents. That’s the secret.”

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Meanwhile, the struggle to translate theory into online play is real.

Question: ”I perform well in solver trainers but become passive online. How can I bridge this gap?”

Ben’s Answer: “Stop studying only with solvers. Study exploitative strategies and real human tendencies. Practice hands in real situations, review sessions with feedback, and focus on making +EV decisions vs actual opponents.”

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Ben also thinks impatience is one of the most significant leaks in mid-stakes tournaments.

Question: “What are common leaks in mid-stakes online tournaments?”

Ben’s Answer: “Being impatient. Many players value bet too thinly and bet too small with strong hands. Patience and proper sizing go a long way in maximizing EV.”

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Balancing intuition with math is key in high-pressure spots.

Question: “How do you integrate intuition vs strict +EV calculation in tournaments?”

Ben’s Answer: “I mostly focus on +EV decisions, but that also includes listening to my gut feeling. Often, exploiting opponents requires reading their tendencies rather than blindly following GTO.”

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Consistent practice and review are more effective than flashy shortcuts.

Question: “How should a new tournament player focus their study and play time?”

Ben’s Answer: “You have everything you need already. Focus on learning exploitative plays, practicing ICM spots, reviewing hands, and playing consistently. Private coaching is a shortcut, but not mandatory.”

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Managing variance is an important skill in tournaments.

Question: “What was your longest ever downswing? Did you adjust strategies or just grind it out?”

Ben’s Answer: “Last year I lost like 400–500k during the summer. Back in 2012–2013, I had a 400–500 buy-in under EV downswing for about 15 months. You just have to keep grinding, stick to your strategy, and not let tilt take over.”

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Bankroll management can make or break a tournament career.

Question: “How important is bankroll management, and how do you know if poker is sustainable for you despite downswings?”

Ben’s Answer: “Bankroll management is everything. Usually, only invest 1% of your bankroll in one tournament, better even 0.5%. Move up the stakes when you reach 200 buy-ins. Strong mindset, no tilting, and rational thinking are key. If you are down $160k this year alone, it looks more like a BRM issue to me. Drop in stakes earlier instead of gambling beyond your limits.”

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Ben sees no shame in small-stakes grinding as the best way to rebuild or start.

Question: “If you went completely broke, how would you get back into a healthy poker position?”

Ben’s Answer: “Grind $1 SNGs. It teaches you the fundamentals again and rebuilds your bankroll safely.”

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Maximizing value in tournaments requires thin but disciplined aggressive poker.

Question: “In position, when the river completes draws or pairs the board, is it better to check back or go for thin value?”

Ben’s Answer: “It depends if you have a value bet. Usually, 1-pair hands and overpairs aren’t enough anymore. I usually only value bet trips or better, because most players can’t fold top pairs or overpairs even if the board runs out badly.”

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Patience separates winners from break-even players.

Question: “What are the biggest leaks losing and break-even tournament players could fix?”

Ben’s Answer:

• Losing players: tilt, poor bankroll management, playing too many hands, ignoring odds, and pot odds.
• Break-even players: too weak postflop, not value betting thin enough, preflop flaws, insufficient aggression in deeper stages, poor ICM fundamentals.

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Aggression with a big stack pays off, but be aware of your table.

Question: “What adjustments should you make when holding a big stack?”

Ben’s Answer: “Play looser, but be careful. Some opponents won’t give in since they expect you to play loose.”

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Exploiting opponent tendencies in near-ICM spots is crucial.

Question: “I run into roadblocks live where I play ICM 25–33 ranges, but opponents play chip EV. How should I adjust?”

Ben’s Answer: “If people play chip EV in ICM-critical stages, you play tighter. Your money comes from ‘free laddering.’ You might win fewer tournaments overall, but make more long-term money.”

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When it comes to early-stage MTTs, Ben thinks you should focus on patience and field selection.

Question: “For low-stakes tournaments with smaller fields, how should I start building my bankroll and experience?”

Ben’s Answer: “Start very small, like $1–$2 max. Focus on learning, not making money initially. Play smaller fields to gain late-game experience and review near-bubble, ITM, final table scenarios.”

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Bencb on Poker Mindset & Disciple Off the Felt

Ben goes far beyond simply memorizing GTO lines or running simulations. He promotes a poker mindset that combines discipline, repetition, and situational awareness.

Here, Ben shares how he hones his discipline outside of poker in his own way to stay focused at the table.

Question: “I already do gym and cold showers to train discipline outside the game, but it doesn’t always carry over to poker. What’s your approach to developing discipline specifically for in-game decision-making under pressure?”

Ben’s Answer: “Don’t do things just because others do it. Do the routines that have a significant impact on you. If it doesn’t carry over to poker, try something else!”

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Ben also believes a holistic routine helps prevent autopilot mistakes during long sessions.

Question: “How do you handle autopilot mistakes during long grind sessions?”

Ben’s Answer: “On days I grind, I work out, meditate, do breathing exercises, and during breaks I walk around to keep blood flowing. That prevents me from auto-piloting.”

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Managing tilt and emotional control are also key elements of a strong mindset.

Question: “How do you avoid tilting after a series of bad beats or losing sessions?”

Ben’s Answer: “I don’t try to suppress emotion. I just notice it and move on. Tilt happens when you resist it. Accepting variance helps you stay calm and make good decisions even when things go wrong.”

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Ben believes focus and energy management are just as important as technical skill.

Question: “What do you do when you feel mentally tired but still want to play?”

Ben’s Answer: “I don’t force it. I take breaks, meditate, or do something away from poker. Grinding when tired usually leads to bad play. It’s better to come back fresh.”

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Long-term success, Ben says, comes from mindset consistency rather than motivation.

Question: “How do you stay motivated when progress feels slow?”

Ben’s Answer: “Motivation comes and goes. You can’t rely on it. What matters is building habits that keep you improving even when you don’t feel like it. Discipline beats motivation every time.”

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He also highlights the importance of detaching identity from results.

Question: “I feel bad after every losing day, even when I play well. How can I stop tying my self-worth to results?”

Ben’s Answer: “You can’t control short-term outcomes. Judge yourself on the quality of your decisions, not your bankroll. When you shift focus from money to process, poker becomes less stressful and more sustainable.”

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Bencb on Studying Poker

Ben’s analytical style, structured learning methods, and attention to detail have made him a leading voice in GTO and poker education.

When asked about how to study poker more effectively, Ben shared this practical advice:

Question: “I find myself studying a lot but not seeing much improvement. How can I make my study time more efficient and actually see progress?”

Ben’s Answer: “You need to define clear goals for each session. Don’t just review hands randomly. Focus on one spot, one type of decision, and find the patterns in your mistakes. Quality study beats quantity every time.”

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Learning how to balance theory and real-world exploitation is another essential part of Ben’s approach.

Question: “How do you balance studying GTO versus exploitative strategies in MTTs?”

Ben’s Answer: “Solvers are not the way to study, at least not for beginners. Many players deviate heavily from GTO, so you need to understand the basics but transition quickly to exploitative play. Study spots, check what theory wants you to do, but always adjust to your actual opponents.”

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Ben also believes studying doesn’t always require advanced tools or expensive coaching.

Question: “What’s the best way to study poker if I don’t have access to a coach or solver?”

Ben’s Answer: “Find study partners, exchange hand histories, and review together. Talking through hands with others is one of the best ways to learn. Don’t overcomplicate it. Repetition and discussion help far more than fancy software.”

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He recommends a steady and practical approach to consistent progress.

Question: “How do I know if my study routine is actually working?”

Ben’s Answer: “You’ll see fewer big mistakes and start recognizing patterns faster. Track how often you spot leaks before a hand even happens. Improvement isn’t about immediate results but clarity in your decision-making process.”

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Bencb’s Thoughts on Everything Else

Here, Ben spoke candidly about technology, lifestyle, and the changing landscape of online poker, giving much food for thought for the Reddit AMA crowd.

When asked about the rise of AI in poker studies, Ben kept things simple.

Question: “Do you think AI tools will replace traditional poker study methods?”

Ben’s Answer: “AI tools are great for learning patterns, but you still have to do the thinking yourself. Use them to understand concepts, not to replace your own analysis.”

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Ben also reminded players that poker should fit into a healthy lifestyle.

Question: “With all the hours poker takes, how do you balance the grind with real life?”

Ben’s Answer: “I make time for workouts and friends. Poker is part of life, not life itself. Without balance, your performance and happiness both suffer.”

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The Softest MTTs are on CoinPoker – According to Bencb

When asked where to play tournaments online, Ben said simply, “CoinPoker has the softest MTTs right now.”

We have massive guaranteed prize pools in events like the Sunday Specials and a $100k poker career up for grabs with CoinMasters. Plus, there are plenty of ways to qualify for big tournaments for little or no cost in our freeroll and centroll tournaments.

Don’t miss out! Claim your 150% first deposit bonus up to $2,000 when you join CoinPoker.