Administration

Smart Pool FAQ

by aurora·25.05.2021

Find information about Smart Pool just with one mouse-click!

VERIFICATION / KYC / LEGAL
POOL RULES
AUDIT & SETTLEMENTS
SECURITY
PAYMENTS & PRICING
SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
SMART SPIN
1. I am a former or current Smart Spin member, do I get any special discount?
2. I am a current Smart Spin member. Can I join the Smart Pool?
OTHER POOLS
1. I have an active subscription in another pool, but I would like to join Smart Pool before the price rises. Can we settle an individual deal and book the price?
2. What's the difference in variance between the pool with 100 players and with 300 players?
OTHER
1. Do you offer EV Deal?
2. Do you offer Spin&Go or MTT coaching services?

VERIFICATION / KYC / LEGAL

How does the verification process look like? What data do you need? What data do you keep?
Data we need from you: First name, Surname, address, e-wallet, identity confirmation (ID/passport), address confirmation, e-wallet confirmation

Acceptable documents for address confirmation:
Printscreen from your e-wallet (Skrill, Neteller or MuchBetter) with visible name, surname and full address (whole page screen visible);
Gas, water, electricity, internet, landline, mobile phone, or TV bill;
Bank account statement;
Credit card statement;
Government-issued letter;
Employer's letter / Payslip;
Documents must be no older than 3 months and they must show your name, address, and date of issue.

We keep all your collected data for the duration of the service. We collect it for the purposes of delivering services to you and to make sure that the Pool is protected from potential scams. You may find more information about the collection, processing and storage of your data and your related rights via the link: https://smartspin.com/privacy-policy/

Do you secure the personal data I send to you? What data breach protection and protocols do you have?
The data is stored in secured databases with multi-factor authentication on the cloud with no unwanted access by third parties. Our procedures related to the protection of your personal data strictly follow the Data Protection Act, Chapter 440 of the Laws of Malta, European Union Directive 2002/58/EC and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).

Why is the KYC (Know Your Customer) needed?
The KYC allows us to verify your identity and make sure that the Smart Pool account is created by the owner of the poker room account.
This procedure increases the safety of every user and the Smart Pool.

What makes Smart Pool the most trustworthy Pool on the market?
We are a legal entity that is duly registered, pays taxes and can issue invoices for our services.
We are carefully verifying each invitation to the Smart Pool, including the information in public sources. Your nickname and results will be visible only to the other members of Smart Pool.

I don't have a scanner to scan my documents - what should I do?
You can simply take a photo of your documents using your mobile phone or camera and save it as an image file. Make sure that all the corners of the document are visible, and the photo itself is readable (good quality required).

I don't have a camera to complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) - what should I do?
You would need to be able to provide your identity confirmation (copy of your ID/passport).
You can use screenshots of acceptable documents for the address and e-wallet confirmation.

What makes Smart Spin Ltd the most reliable team on the Spin&Go market?
For over 6 years we help our clients to develop their skills and achieve the most in Spin&Go's. Over 2500 Users from over 75 countries trusted us. We are the leader in creating Spin&Go strategy, with one of the biggest Spin&Go communities.

How do the Terms of Service protect you from dishonest players?
There are several consequences for those who breach the agreement.
We reserve the rights to terminate the service immediately. In addition, already paid fees for participation in the services, will not be refunded.
Depending on the nature of the breach, a player may be requested to cover the damages caused by his breach of the agreement.

Can I visit your office in Malta?
Of course, you may do this by making an appointment.

Can I request the removal of my data at any time?
As long as you use the Smart Pool services, we need your data to deliver the services to you. When you stop using our services, you have the right to do this in accordance with our Privacy Policy that you can consult via the following link: https://smartspin.com/privacy-policy/
You can request access to your personal data at any time.

POOL RULES

What kind of services does Smart Pool provide?
In exchange for a monthly fee, we administer, gather and process the data you provide. Additionally, We make your calculations so they are ready and visible on your dashboard on the 9th day of the month, summarizing the previous settlement period.

Can I participate in Smart Pool if I play Spin&Go Flash games on Pokerstars?
Yes.

Can I participate in Smart Pool if I play Heads Up or Spin&Go Max games on Pokerstars?
No.

Which category of the PokerStars, GGPoker, PartyPoker and iPoker games are included into the Smart Pool?
The Smart Pool, in accordance to the Smart Pool Terms of Service (clause 1), includes Spin&Go and Spin&Go Flash games on Pokerstars.EU/COM/FR/ES/PT/IT, GGPoker and PartyPoker on stakes:
Pokerstars.EU/COM: 0.25$, 1$, 2$, 5$, 10$, 25$, 50$, 100$, 250$, 500$, 1000$
Pokerstars FR/ES/PT: 0.25€, 1€, 2€, 5€, 10€, 25€, 50€, 100€, 250€, 500€
Pokerstars.IT: 0.20€, 1€, 2€, 5€, 10€, 25€, 50€, 100€, 250€
GGPoker: 0.25$, 1$, 3$, 5$, 10$, 20$, 50$, 100$, 200$
PartyPoker: 0.25$, 1$, 3$, 5$, 10$, 20$, 50$, 100$
iPoker: 1$, 2$, 5$, 10$, 20$, 50$, 100$, 200$.

The list of included stakes can change in case Pokerstars, GGPoker, PartyPoker or iPoker will add/remove/modify stakes. Any changes will be announced on the Smart Pool's Discord.

Can I choose only a single stakes for the settlement? F.e. only 50s stakes but not 25s or 100s?
If you choose stakes "up to" - any stake below the "up to" stake will be included in the Pool.

Do you verify the players’ results?
Yes, we do. We check the playing history audit of your poker room account and a detailed PT4 report.
When it comes to the detailed report, we also verify if the user hasn't manipulated the results manually.
Additionally, we perform random verification of the complete Hand History of selected players.

Each user is obliged to request a complete Hand History file for each settlement period.

What effect does a players’ EV ROI have on the variance of the Pool?
No matter what EV ROI a player has. In the long run, the EV ROI converges towards the real ROI because the all-in adj chips converge towards the amount of real chips won.
Variance on the real ROI doesn't depend on the EV ROI. In this case, variance depends on the sample size.
For example, you can imagine 2 extreme scenarios (taking into consideration that there can be a fold action in any action) where there is no variance at all:
a) if you fold each hand then you have -100% EV ROI and there is no variance
b) if everyone folds to you each hand then you have +100% EV ROI and there is no variance.

Mathematical explanation:

Why does Smart Pool only provide services for PokerStars, GGPoker, PartyPoker and iPoker?
PokerStars, GGPoker, PartyPoker and iPoker provide the best results confirmation option, which is the audit. It allows us to check player results in an accurate and convenient way.

We do not rule out the possibility to include other poker rooms in the future.

I know that there are several different ways of calculating all-in adjusted EV. Why is that and which one is the most accurate?
This situation happens rarely (around 0,50% of all hands). Therefore it has very little effect on the whole results but from the technical point of view, it's very interesting to discuss.

In 3way pots in case of all-in before the river from any player and further action(s) on later streets between 2 other players there are 2 situations:
a) there is a showdown for all 3 players and we see all 3 players' hole cards,
b) one of the 2 players who continued action folded before the showdown. Then there is a showdown only for 2 players, and we see only 2 players' hole cards (we don't know the hole cards of the third player who folded).

In the first situation, we can calculate the EV correctly. In the second situation, we cannot calculate the EV correctly because we don't know all players' hole cards to calculate the EV for the main pot (we can calculate only the side pot correctly as it is simply non-showdown chips winning).

These 3 different solutions can be applied to calculate the EV for situations a) and b):
1. Calculating everything for the end of the hand based on all-in adj.
2. Calculating situation a) based on all-in adj and situation b) without all-in adj (based on chips won).
3. Calculating everything without all-in adj (based on chips won). This is the calculation method used by PT4.

Which solution is the best?
The 3rd solution is the best.

Why?
All other solutions lead to a bias in EV calculations because the all-in adj would be far away from the chips won in the long run. Therefore, the deviation would be very high, and the EV would be incorrect. The best solution is to calculate the described pots based on chips won, thanks to which the all-in adj from all pots (not only from the two mentioned) in spin&go games would converge to the amount of chips won, which is the crucial condition to have correct EV calculations.

All the above calculations are not 100% perfect because we don't know all players' hole cards in all situations. From the possible solutions, only the PT4 solution is the most correct.

Will it be possible to hide my nickname and results in the Smart Pool?
No. Players' nicknames and results will be available for Smart Pool members only (people outside of Smart Pool won't be able to see this information).

How can I check the current Smart Pool total buy-in/tournaments/users?
You can check this data on the Smart Pool's dashboard (for Smart Pool members only).

How can I check Smart Pool’s previous months' realizations?
The previous months' realizations are available for players who participated in Smart Pool in the corresponding months.
Why do some months have a positive variance but some have the opposite? We hope that after this educational part you will understand the Spin&Go EV realization better.
Singular months can be affected by variance. One player is more affected by variance than a group of dozens of players.

Which factors affect the Pool realization?
1. Total buy-in.
2. Number of games on the played stakes.

Will the results of the Smart Pool be visible for everyone?
No, it will be visible only for Smart Pool members that participate in a given Settlement Period.

Can I check how the Smart Pool is running in the middle of the settlement period?
No, simply because we want to avoid colluding. For instance, some players might use such information in a way that might be harmful to the group.

For example, they see realization is low at the very end of the month and they decide to not confirm their results and stay with their actual results. We want to minimize the risks of such events as much as possible.

Another example is that with low realization in the middle of the month players can lower their volume which will decrease total buy-in which will be bad for Smart Pool and it’s players..

I don't understand how the Smart Pool works. Do you have any explanation video?
No, we don't. However, the general idea of the Pool is pretty simple in general:

Total EV Results = Sum of EV Results of all participants
Total BI = Sum of Buy-ins of all participants
Regular Results of the Group = Sum of Regular Results of all participants

Your Regular Share = [(Total Regular Results - Total EV Results)/Total BI] * sum of your buy-ins + your EV Results
Your transfer = your Regular Share - your Regular Results

Can I check how many users registered for the current settlement period?
There is no possibility to check it. You can check the number of users only for the previous periods in which you participated.

How can I know if the Smart Pool is suitable for me?
If you participate in Spin&Go games (standard or flash format) at Pokerstars, GGPoker, PartyPoker or iPoker and would like to reduce your swings - our product is what you are looking for.

Why do I need to send money that I won over EV to other users?
According to the Pool rules - if your actual results are higher than your pool profit, you send money to other players. It works both ways - if your actual results are lower than your pool profit, you receive money from other players. This way you reduce the variance of your game and make your profit from winnings close to your EV.

Do winnings in high multipliers have an impact on Pool realization?
Yes, net won in 120x and 240x multipliers have a big impact on the Pool realization. That's why we will make sure that 120x and 240x multipliers were played with a willingness to win by verifying them precisely via Team Viewer in case of losses.

Where can I find the terms of service of the Smart Pool?
On the Smart Pool Terms of Service page.

AUDIT & SETTLEMENTS

What's the Settlement Period?
The settlement period is always one calendar month according to the Pokerstars server (Eastern Time). It starts on the first day of the month and ends on the last day of the month. However, we reserve the right to change the start and end dates of the Settlement period.

Can I enter the Pool in the middle of the Settlement period?
Yes, you can. However, you will be billed the full amount of the service fee for a whole month of participation.

Can I quit the Pool in the middle of the Settlement period?
To quit the Pool you should give 5 calendar days notice prior to the start of the next settlement period about your non-participation in the Pool for the next settlement period.

How long would the settlement process take? When would I receive the transfer list?
You will receive all necessary information on the 9th day of the month following the end of the Settlement period.

How does the confirmation process look like? Which data do you require? Do I have to send it somewhere or upload it?
Before the 7th calendar day of each month following the end of the Settlement Period we need you to send us the following information:

Playing history audit conducted by player's poker room for the settlement period;
Uploaded detailed report from PT4 for the settlement period;
Screenshot from PT4 with the summary report;

How does the settlement process look like?
1. You upload the documents for the settlement period (please see the list in the previous point).
2. You wait for the calculations to appear on your dashboard.
3. You send/receive a transfer to/from a particular user.

What if some users won't send the requested information on time?
If a user fails to provide us with the correct data and information in time, this may result in additional steps from our side, for which the user shall pay an additional service fee.

In which cases the user could be excused from paying additional service fees?
A user may be excused from paying the additional fees if the delay in providing complete and accurate data was caused by:
a. software and website errors, attacks of computer viruses, worms, trojan horses and other destructive programs or other technical reasons beyond the user’s reasonable control;
b. circumstances beyond the user’s reasonable control provided that the user may provide appropriate proof that the caused delay was not his fault and intention.

Is there any deadline to send or receive transfers to/from other users?
You have 3 days since the moment of publishing the Smart Pool results and the transfer list.

I want to sneak-peak into how things are getting done. Would you allow me or the union to see how the process looks like?
Yes, you can find a very detailed description of our Services in Smart Pool Terms of Service. In case of any additional questions, you can contact us via Zendesk.

What's the EV formula?
EV = [Winrate × EVw + (1 - Winrate) × EVl] × Volume
You can check the detailed EV formula and it's an explanation in Smart Pool Terms of Service (clause 6).

What formula does Smart Pool use to calculate how much I will get from the pool?
Total EV Results = Sum of EV Results of all participants
Total BI = Sum of Buy-ins of all participants
Regular Results of the Group = Sum of Regular Results of all participants

Your Regular Share = [(Total Regular Results - Total EV Results)/Total BI] * sum of your buy-ins + your EV Results
Your transfer = your Regular Share - your Regular Results

Is Rakeback included in the pool results?
No, Rakeback is fully settled outside the pool unless you have a coaching for profit deal with Smart Spin.

SECURITY

Can everyone apply to Smart Pool? Are there any minimal ch/g requirements? Do I need any references?
Not everyone can join Smart Pool.
During the KYC (Know Your Customer) process, we decide if the user is eligible to join the services based on:

provided information by the user
information about the user which is publicly available
user's reputation, etc.

There are no minimal ch/g requirements because the EV ROI doesn't influence the Pool realization. You don’t need any references to be able to join the Pool. However, during the KYC process, our staff may ask if you have any references to allow us to get to know you better.

How do you verify if a player provided you with the correct data?
We do our best to minimise abuse by accepting only trustworthy players into the Smart Pool.
For the purpose of the double verification process, we are allowed to verify entire hand histories via screen sharing if our algorithms show an alert.

Do you store players' hand histories?
No, we never store/collect/share the hand histories of the players. We only need to know the end-result of the tournament.

PAYMENTS & PRICING

Can I pay in advance for a year?
Currently, players are able to pay for up to 6 months in advance. In the future, the available subscription models might change, depending on the player’s feedback and needs.

May I pay after the Service is delivered to me?
This option is only available for the members of Smart Spin.

I forgot to signup, register or pay for the services - it's only 1min/1hour/1day late! Could you still add me for the current settlement period?
Yes, you can register at any time.

Which payment options are available for the Smart Pool service?
Players can make transfers using Skrill, Neteller, Muchbetter.

Can I get the VAT invoice for the services?
Of course, every payment generates an invoice, and you will be able to get it at the beginning of the following month after the payment.

Is there an auto-extension subscription?
There is no auto-extension. Our system requires you to confirm the payment manually. You must accept the prices for the corresponding periods and then confirm the willingness to participate in the Smart Pool. Thanks to this, every time you know how much you pay.

Can I ask for a refund in case I would like to resign from Smart Pool services?
The paid fees, including the advance payment for the foregoing months, are non-refundable.

SUBSCRIPTION

What if I decide to add another poker room during my current subscription?
You can do this free of charge if the maximum stake stays the same. You need to be aware that in the case of an active subscription, the results of the newly added poker room will be counted only from the moment of the validation of this additional room.

What if I later decide to increase the stake in my current subscription?
You pay only the difference based on the number of months left in the subscription. The price for a certain stake is taken from the month of the beginning of the subscription, not the current price. Therefore, by buying a subscription plan, you are also securing the price for the potential higher stakes.

Can I take a month off during my few months subscription?
Yes, you can do that. However, it won't extend your subscription, neither will you receive a refund for the off month.

SUPPORT

In what languages do you operate?
Our primary language is English, but you can also get support in other languages in case you would need a very complex explanation in your native language (f.e. Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian,...).

I have questions about Smart Pool as a non-member or member. How can I contact you? How long does it take for your reply?
If you are already a Smart Pool member and you have some questions - feel free to contact us via Zendesk.
If you are not a Smart Pool member and you would like to join us, but you have some additional questions - please contact us via email: smartpool@smartspin.com.
You should get a reply from us within 48 hours. In case you would like to give us some feedback, please send us an email at smartpool@smartspin.com.

What are Smart Pool's contact details?
Smart Pool's email: smartpool@smartspin.com
Smart Pool's Discord is available on the Smart Spin Official Discord server under the "Smart Pool" section https://discord.gg/sFJ9CXS2Jy

SMART SPIN

I am a former or current Smart Spin member, do I get any special discount?
If you are a current Smart Spin member, you have an additional discount. If you are a former Smart Spin member, you can take advantage of a subscription discount.
If you would like to join Smart Spin go to https://smartspin.com/landing/offer/

I am a current Smart Spin member. Can I join the Smart Pool?
Yes, you can. Please contact us on Zendesk.

OTHER POOLS

I have an active subscription in another pool, but I would like to join Smart Pool before the price rises. Can we settle an individual deal and book the price?
No, we cannot book the price. However, If you have an active subscription in another Pool and you have paid for the 100s and above stakes, feel free to contact us for an individual deal in case you have never joined Smart Pool before.

What's the difference in variance between the pool with 100 players and with 300 players?
The variance depends on the number of games and the total buy-in, not on the number of players.
For example a Pool with 100 players playing 5k games on 100$ stakes per month (100 * 5000 * 100$ = 50.000.000$ total buy-in) is better than a 300 players Pool with players playing 1k games on 100$ stakes per month (300 * 1000 * 100$ = 30.000.000$ total buy-in).

OTHER

Do you offer EV Deals?
Yes, we offer EV Deals for our players in a coaching for-profit deal.

Do you offer Spin&Go or MTT coaching services?
Yes, to check our offer please go to https://smartspin.com/landing/offer/

If you have any other questions - feel free to contact us!

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