Poker Stories And Strategy With Emmi Mäkinen

If there’s one thing that stands out about Emmi Mäkinen, it’s how naturally she moves between two different worlds.

By day, she works as a full-time writer at kasinon.live. By night, she becomes the thoughtful, strategic poker player that many in the Finnish scene already recognise. Her relationship with gaming goes back to 2011, when she first started exploring online casinos, long before she ever imagined working in the industry.

Today she splits her life between Finland and Spain, writing, analysing and continuing to grow her poker skill through steady practice.

From early casino curiosity to professional life

Emmi still remembers the moment she became interested in gaming. “It started simple,” she said. “I liked figuring out how games worked. I was more interested in patterns and behaviour than in winning big.”

That curiosity eventually pushed her deeper into iGaming. By 2017 she took on her first clients as a freelancer, writing casino and betting content for Finnish audiences. Over time, she built a reputation for clarity, honesty and a calm voice in an industry filled with noise.

“Freelancing taught me discipline,” she said. “It also taught me to break down complex ideas in a way people understand. That skill helps a lot at the poker table.”

Poker as a second language

When Emmi speaks about poker, there’s a softness in her tone but a precision in her words. She treats every hand like a conversation, something you listen to just as much as you participate in.

“I do not force poker,” she said. “I am not the type to chase every big pot. My style is patient. I wait for the right positions and I play the long game.”

Her approach was shaped through years of observation. One of her favourite memories comes from a small tournament in Spain, where she noticed a player who bluffed aggressively every time he lost a hand.

“It became a pattern,” she explained. “If he lost one hand, he tried to win the next one twice as hard. You could predict him. I just waited. When you know someone will overreact, you only need one good moment.”

That moment came with pocket queens. “He fired off a huge raise, just like I expected. It felt like the whole table already knew what was coming.” The lesson, she said, is simple: poker punishes impatience.

What makes Finnish poker unique

With experience in both Finland and Spain, Emmi has a good sense of how playing styles differ between countries. Finnish players, she says, have a very distinct presence at the table. “They think first,” she said with a smile. “You rarely see loud reactions. They observe quietly. They value logic and structure.”

This preference for structure is also why Finnish players gravitate toward straightforward platforms, including modern formats like a pay and play casino, where the process is fast and uncomplicated.

Writing, analysing and shaping the player experience

Emmi spends her days writing guides, testing casinos and reviewing player experiences. Her background in betting and online casinos gives her a wide foundation for understanding the decisions players make. 

“When you write thousands of articles about casino games, you start recognising patterns,” she said. “You understand what makes players hesitate, what makes them confident and what makes them slip.” This insight feeds back into her poker mindset.

“Poker isn’t only about maths,” she explained. “It’s about understanding people. My writing work keeps that skill sharp.”

Readers interested in how the wider gaming industry operates can explore Lovin Malta’s look at the platform where regulators, entrepreneurs and players come together.

Tips from Emmi for new poker players

When asked what she wishes every beginner understood, she gives advice that is simple but often ignored.

• Start smaller than you think you need
  “It’s easier to focus on strategy when the stakes don’t overwhelm you.”
• Be honest about your emotions
  “Most mistakes come from frustration. If you tilt easily, pause. There is no shame in taking a break.” For players who want extra support or guidance, EHYT ry offers clear, reliable resources on maintaining healthy gambling habits.
• Study positions before anything else
  “People underestimate how important position is. You win more by choosing your moments smartly.”
• Review your hands even when you win
  “Winning doesn’t mean you played correctly. Always check your reasoning.”

A life shaped by rhythm and balance

Whether she’s writing for Finnish players or sitting at a quiet poker table in Spain, Emmi approaches everything with the same steady mindset: patience, clarity and awareness.

“Poker has taught me to slow down,” she said. “Writing has taught me to communicate simply. When you put those two together, you get a very calm way of seeing the world.”

Her journey from casual casino games in 2011 to professional writing and competitive poker today is proof that skill grows from routine, not rush. And as Emmi continues her work, her voice remains one of the most grounded and insightful in the Finnish gaming scene.

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