SRMonkey explains that his life has been significantly impacted by a diagnosis of Crohn's disease received during his school years. He underwent two surgeries at that time, which have had lasting effects on his overall well-being. As a consequence, he was compelled to discontinue his full-time employment in the media industry, a field in which he had been engaged for many years. Approximately a decade ago, he was forced to cease working entirely due to the unpredictable nature of his daily health. This, in turn, influenced the activities and pursuits he could engage in over the past decade. As an alternative, he ventured into various projects and also delved into playing on Football Index for a period.

SRMonkey recounts that he initially engaged in playing Football Index for a period. However, he eventually departed from that community due to its perceived decline, which ultimately led to its closure. Following this, he became involved in another project named FootStock, a German company, where he enthusiastically collaborated with friends in creating podcasts and content. This endeavor was something he truly enjoyed and continued for a couple of years. Unfortunately, when FootStock faced its downfall, it also impacted a few other companies associated with it. It was around July 2020 when SRMonkey initially signed up for Sorare, but he didn't actively begin playing or exploring it until after the Gary Vee boom. Interestingly, his decision to delve into Sorare wasn't primarily influenced by Gary Vee but rather stemmed from his search for an alternative platform to engage with, prompted by the demise of Footstock.

SRMonkey reveals that he experienced a substantial financial loss on FootStock, which unfortunately vanished overnight, amounting to many thousands of pounds, although not as much as some individuals he knows who lost up to £100,000. Consequently, he was initially hesitant to make a substantial investment when he ventured into Sorare. This cautious approach turned out to be prudent, especially given the exorbitant prices prevalent during the Gary Vee boom. Instead, SRMonkey decided to explore the Asian division of Sorare and began acquiring cards from that region. However, his initial endeavors in this direction didn't yield significant success.

During this time, he actively participated in the All-Star Rare division with a Common goalkeeper, which was accepted at the time, and this engagement extended from April to June. He dedicated time to consuming content related to Sorare, including listening to podcasts. Notably, he recalls listening to a podcast by Andrew, who would later become associated with SorareData, although the podcast was not titled SorareData at that time, as it was created prior to Andrew joining the SorareData team.

During his engagement with Sorare, SRMonkey recalls a significant moment when psufans appeared as a guest on a podcast. It was during this conversation that various strategies were discussed, and some key insights resonated with him. As a result of this revelation, SRMonkey made a strategic decision. Instead of pursuing the absolute best player for each position regardless of cost, he opted to focus on acquiring the best players available within his budget for each position, thereby seeking more cost-effective alternatives.

SRMonkey notes that his new strategic approach yielded positive results at a rapid pace. He achieved a podium finish relatively quickly and even secured his first reward within approximately three weeks of absorbing the insights from the podcast featuring psufans. SRMonkey expresses gratitude towards psufans, acknowledging the significant impact their insights had on his Sorare journey. This influence played a crucial role in keeping his enthusiasm for the project alive, especially during a period when he was beginning to feel somewhat disheartened.

In the initial stages of his Sorare journey, SRMonkey found it challenging to acquire starting keepers due to budget constraints. Additionally, he faced uncertainty about how to advance in the game. He points out that the game dynamics have evolved significantly since then, with the introduction of Limited cards. SRMonkey believes that if these Limited cards had been available during his early days in Sorare, it would have been considerably easier for him to immerse himself in the game and make progress.

First card bought

SRMonkey reflects on the purchase price he paid for a certain player's card, remarking that it now seems astonishingly low in comparison to the player's current market value. However, SRMonkey vividly recalls the disappointment he experienced when, just the weekend following his acquisition, the player suffered an ACL injury, which was truly heartbreaking.

Following his engagement with the psufans podcast, SRMonkey made an astute decision to acquire Daniel Salloi from Kansas City in Sorare. During that particular season, Daniel Salloi proved to be an exceptional choice, delivering consistently outstanding performances. SRMonkey notes that Salloi was a pivotal contributor in nearly every game during that season, showcasing his effectiveness on the field.

Evolution of his strategy

SRMonkey emphasizes that his primary focus was on affordability and value when it came to selecting players for his Sorare team. He acknowledges that, initially, he recognized the difficulty of competing for card prizes when he first started. Therefore, his strategy revolved around a cost-effective, money-centered approach. His goal was to identify players who could provide the maximum points per pound spent. At that time, and possibly still the case, he observed that the players who best fit this criterion were predominantly located in the Asian region.

SRMonkey describes his initial strategy as aiming to acquire the most cost-effective players who could provide a high point return. However, he notes that this approach did not yield the desired success. Consequently, he adjusted his strategy and began targeting players who had secured consistent starting positions in their respective teams, recognizing the importance of regular starters in Sorare.

In his initial strategy, SRMonkey sought to acquire cards that could provide respectable points but were priced more affordably. However, due to the inflated player prices during the Gary Vee boom, he encountered challenges in obtaining the desired cards. He then made adjustments to his strategy by exploring the option of injured players who were poised to make a comeback. Unfortunately, this approach did not prove to be particularly successful, as by the time these players returned from injury, the season was already nearing its conclusion.

Following his exposure to psufans' insights on the "SorareAndrews Podcast," SRMonkey decided to adjust his strategy once again. In this podcast, psufans highlighted the notion that one could assemble a Chicago Fire stack for just a fraction of the cost required to assemble a Genk stack, yet it could still achieve one or two rewards per season. Encouraged by this perspective, SRMonkey shifted his focus to acquiring cards from the American region, considering the potential for success at a more reasonable cost.

In the initial weeks, SRMonkey experienced immediate success with the cards he had acquired from the American region. Following this initial triumph, his strategy remained relatively consistent. He continued to search for cost-effective cards from leagues that were not as closely followed by others but still had the potential to deliver commendable results. This approach ultimately led to his first victory during the final week of the Champion Asia division in 2022.

Shortly after his victory, SRMonkey noticed a significant drop in the prices of Mexican cards, specifically those from Liga MX. He attributed this decrease to the conclusion of the Liga MX season. However, he astutely recognized that these prices were likely to rebound as the new Liga MX season was set to commence in the first week of January, creating a promising opportunity for investment. Recognizing the potential for profit, SRMonkey took advantage of the impending start of the Liga MX season. He strategically purchased Liga MX cards when their prices were low and subsequently sold them as the season approached, successfully generating a profit from these transactions.

SRMonkey proudly recounts that he achieved two victories in January, both with the same team. This success brought him immense satisfaction, especially considering that the strategy he had devised three months prior had proven to be effective and delivered positive results so swiftly.

In his initial year of engagement with Sorare, SRMonkey primarily identified as a trader. His primary focus was on acquiring cards at the end of seasons and subsequently selling them at the start of the next season. This trading approach proved to be highly successful during the early stages of his Sorare journey and played a crucial role in expanding his card gallery. However, as time went on, SRMonkey transitioned towards a more competition-focused mindset.

SRMonkey notes that during his early period on the platform, he demonstrated proficiency in selling his players, often managing to do so near their peak values, resulting in successful transactions. This approach served him well for approximately the first year and a half of his Sorare journey. However, about a year ago, he had an epiphany. Recognizing the desire for more consistent success and wanting to contend at a higher level, he realized the importance of retaining and acquiring star performers in his gallery. This shift in strategy aimed at building a roster of top-performing players to enhance his competitive edge on Sorare.

While SRMonkey continues to scout for players with potential price increases, he also keeps a keen eye out for individuals who possess the capacity to be the star performers of his team. His focus is on players who have the capability to consistently deliver strong performances, accumulating 60 or more points each week. This dual approach allows him to balance investment opportunities with the goal of building a formidable team in Sorare.

Given his commitment to competing across various divisions, including Limited, Rare, and aspiring to join Rare Pro, SRMonkey recognizes the necessity of scouting players from diverse regions. To excel in these different divisions, he ensures that his player selections span various regions to maintain a competitive edge in each of them.

SRMonkey shares recent successes in Sorare, including winning Cap 270 and obtaining valuable players like Kylian Mbappé (Rare) and a talented U23 full-back, despite the latter being temporarily sidelined due to injury. These achievements represented significant victories on the platform. Although tempted to retain Mbappé, SRMonkey made a strategic decision to sell him in exchange for Griezmann (Rare) and nearly 2.2 ETH. He wisely reinvested this capital to acquire superior and additional players for the Champion Europe division and various other leagues, with the aim of bolstering his team's strength for the upcoming season.

SRMonkey expresses a deep affection for his Atlas stack in Sorare, highlighting a strong attachment to this particular collection of players.

Addition of new sports

SRMonkey recounts his experience with Sorare's MLB and NBA offerings. He began with MLB, even though he had limited knowledge of the sport's intricacies. His curiosity led him to start playing Sorare's MLB game from the very first game week. He also appeared on a podcast hosted by TrippinB & The MLS Card Guy, where he received valuable guidance on how to play MLB. SRMonkey genuinely enjoyed the game, particularly appreciating how scores built up over the course of the week. However, he noted that the MLB product wasn't as developed as the football (soccer) side of Sorare.

As a result, SRMonkey made the decision to sell some of his MLB cards, with the intention of returning in the following season. He clarified that it wasn't a permanent goodbye but rather a temporary hiatus, hoping that the Sorare team would continue improving the MLB product.

When Sorare introduced the NBA, SRMonkey was excited to participate. He acquired a substantial number of cards and recognized the potential value in cards that were initially considered less valuable. While he enjoyed trading cards in the NBA and even won a few rewards, he faced a challenge due to the late locking of NBA games, which made it difficult for him to manage his Sorare activities and get adequate sleep. Consequently, in January 2023, he decided to sell all his NBA cards, ultimately making a small profit from the venture.

Content creation

SRMonkey proudly announces the launch of a new podcast titled the "Sorare Ramble". This podcast is dedicated to assisting new users in uncovering hidden features they might not have been aware of within the Sorare platform. Additionally, it places a strong emphasis on discussions related to players, with a particular focus on the English Premier League (EPL). The podcast aims to provide valuable insights and information to both new and seasoned Sorare enthusiasts.

Winning %

SRMonkey notes that his winning percentage currently stands at 20%. However, he recalls that it used to be higher in the past. He attributes the change in his strategy to the removal of training teams and mentions that he now submits teams with "Do Not Play" (DNP) players into divisions where he doesn't intend to field a full-fledged competitive team. This approach is driven by the goal of allowing those players to accumulate more XP in these lower-competition divisions.

SRMonkey acknowledges that his winning percentage has decreased slightly over time. However, his primary objective now is to maintain a winning percentage of around 20% while focusing on securing better and more valuable cards as rewards. This strategy reflects a desire to balance consistent performance with the acquisition of higher-quality assets in Sorare.

Recognizing that many of the rewards he earns will likely consist of limited cards, which may not have high market values, SRMonkey emphasizes his intention to shift his focus toward the Rare and Rare Pro divisions in the upcoming season. His aim is to achieve more favorable results in these divisions, as they typically offer more valuable rewards, particularly in terms of player cards. This strategic shift reflects his desire to enhance the overall quality of his Sorare gallery.

Recommendations for new users

SRMonkey provides valuable insight into the evolving priorities of Sorare players. He notes that beginners typically focus on building their card galleries and are content with winning any cards initially. However, as players gain experience over six months or a year, they often become more discerning and ambitious, setting their sights on higher-tier rewards such as Tier 2 or Tier 3 strong Limited cards, or even Rare cards, if their budget allows. This progression reflects a natural evolution in Sorare gameplay, as players aim to enhance the quality of their collections and maximize their competitive potential.

SRMonkey underscores the importance of paying close attention to details within Sorare gameplay. He identifies a common error among users, which is submitting teams with "Do Not Play" (DNP) players. He highlights that avoiding this mistake is crucial, as it can significantly impact a user's performance and chances of success on the platform. By being meticulous and preventing DNPs, users can enhance their overall Sorare experience and competitiveness.

SRMonkey offers a valuable piece of advice for anyone starting their journey on Sorare: learn the rules and understand the scoring matrix. He emphasizes the importance of grasping how players accumulate points in the game. While it may not be necessary to comprehend every intricate detail, having a fundamental understanding of the scoring system can greatly benefit users. It enables them to make more informed decisions when evaluating football matches and players. This knowledge empowers users to identify players who excel in areas that contribute to Sorare scoring, such as making passes or tackles. SRMonkey acknowledges that not everyone may prioritize this level of detail, as some users might simply want to select their favorite team's best cards and play them. However, he asserts that even for those users, a basic understanding of the scoring fundamentals can be advantageous when making player acquisition decisions.

Hall of Fame

• Vargas (GK)
• Luis Reyes (DEF)
• Brian Lozano (MID)
• Kristoffer Olsson (MID)
• Luis Díaz (FOR)

"I always try to go with a defensive stack if possible."