The 11th Interview: MichMan

BubbaDan · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:34 pm Post subject: The 11th Interview: MichMan

Take 10 with Bubba Dan
Vol 1 #11

Let’s read another installment of “Take 10 with Bubba Dan” MichMan has just been brought on board as the newest moderator for the FPL. He is a long term member of the FPL, a damn good poker player, and talks more than I do, lol. Who better to interview? Enjoy this insightful interview with MichMan.

1-How long have you been playing on-line poker?

Hmmm... I started playing at Pokerroom back in late 2002, they used to
have fixed limit freerolls 2 or 3 times a day. They were long, slow,
and tough to place in. Just like the FL tourneys today, except longer
and slower, and the loosest (if that's a word) games I've ever been in
to date. Despite it's flaws, it was a great learning process for Texas
Hold'em. They also had articles and tips about the various aspects of
the game, such as position, starting hand strength, odds, etc., etc. It
was kind of like diving into the deep end of pool to learn how to swim,
and then reading about the different strokes to refine your technique.

I have known how to play poker for over 30 years now, but at that time,
Texas Hold'em wasn't one of the variations I knew. But, I liked it and
the challenge it constantly presents. Maybe I like it too much (see
question 2)

2-How many poker sites do you have downloaded, and how many of these do
you play on a regular basis?

When I read your 1st interview, I laughed at this question. Thinking
"That one will be fun to answer, if I ever have to." I don't know how
many I have downloaded since I started playing on-line, because I have
uninstalled several over the years. But, after some investigating I
counted 44 currently installed (including Scooby's, where some of us
even have tables named after us). With around 8 or 9 I play on
regularly, maybe 5 I should uninstall, and the rest I play
occasionally. I get some slack from family and friends when they see
the desktop on our PC (it's in the family room/den), and all the poker
sites on it. 24 of the 44 are just a click away.

3-Which one is your favorite poker site and why?

I have to make this a multi-part answer.

As far as graphics goes, I have always liked Absolute. But, with their
prompting flaws, (bouncing open while I'm clicking in a different
window, or not prompting and all and timing out), I do not play there
if I am on multiple sites. Which is most of the time.

As far as software and overall game play. I have to go with Prima sites.
They are simple with nothing fancy, they have a lot of "extras" though,
that make the sites more fun and advantageous to play at. For example,
I recently noticed they now have global player notes, so now if I am
playing at Aztec Riches, my much older notes from Royal Vegas are
there. Also conversely, if I'm at the older site, my newer site's notes
are there. They are also easy to cash-out of. One day to neteller in
most cases.

When it comes to finding a "good game", I go with Prima again. Now, of
course there are certainly loose players on every site (which is
great!!). But, I have played more players there than anywhere else, and
I know who and where (position at the table) to play if I want to play
anything close to a good game. I would never sit down if the table was
full of rocks, though. After all, one has to have callers to make the
pots worth winning, yes?

4-Do you prefer multi-table tournaments, ring games, or sit and go's?

I like ring games the most. Overall, they generally provide a much
quicker turnaround on investment. No matter if it is a table with
players you do not know, or there are several players you have sat with
many times. You have more instant control over your game. There are
different ways to play different tables. For example, one of the simple
tactics I sometimes use when I sit in with unknown players, is to sit
with just over the minimum buy in, to feign weakness. The bigger stacks
tend to think they can walk all over smaller stacks. So it’s easy to
collect chips from them when you do have a strong hand. It takes
patience, but usually it pays well in the end.

MTTs are a close 2nd, although lately I haven’t had the time to play as
many MTTs like I used to when I started. But I still play at least 3 of
the league games per week, and others as well, time permitting.

Sit-N-Gos do not appeal to me very much. In fact, I cannot recall the
last time I have played one. The payouts are usually too small for the
time invested in playing, in my opinion. But, I can see how if you like
the smaller tourneys, and concentrate on those games and players, it
could be profitable. So they do serve their purpose.

5-Besides No Limit Hold'em, what is your favorite poker game?

Of the games offered on-line, I would have to say 7-card stud hi/lo.
Although, I like to play Soko now and then, 24h poker (now a part of
the B2B network) is the only site I know of that offers it. I also like
to play razz when the cards in Hold’em just seem to be cold. I figure if
I am getting junk anyways, might as well play a game where junk is a
good thing. The first 2 razz tourneys I played (at Bugsy’s) I made the
final table. I have not played it recently though.

Offline at a “dealers choice” home game, I like 7-card stud, high spade
in the hole splits the pot, Queen (spades) burns forever, trips or
better to win, if you fold you’re out, even if “the bitch” comes up.
Simple game Smile

.

6-Besides the obvious high pocket pairs and big slick, what is your
favorite hand to play?

This is a trick question isn’t it? If I tell the truth, my secret’s out.
If I lie, I may look even sillier….LOL …. Ok, truth is, <wink> <wink>…
once in a blue moon, if it’s the 3rd Tuesday of the month, and I walked
under a ladder earlier in the day, and the price is right, and “The
Price Is Right” is on TV, then I might play 79s, or 67s. Reason being,
I was born on 7-9-1967.

7-What advice do you have for players just starting out in on-line
poker?

3 words: Read, Practice, and Observe.
Read anything and everything you can on all the various aspects of
poker. Including all the various odds involved in Hold’em. Reading the
players around you is also crucial to being successful. Playing here
(FPL) is an excellent place to practice, with no investment, as well as
all the other sites with freerolls. You can see many hands and gain
experience without losing anything. All the while observing and making
player notes on who does what and when etc., and gaining a knowledge of
the types of players and scenarios that are out there (I have seen
everything from a royal flush on the board to a meager J-hi no pair
being the high hand and taking down a pot).

Oh, and also, DO NOT play hands you would answer question 6 with too
much. They will lose more often than not.

8-What is the biggest mistake you most often see players make in
on-line tournaments?

Playing against me...(just kidding) ….. I have 2 answers (imagine
that!).

Calling down (post flop) with those beautiful red pocket 10s (or any
middle/upper pocket pairs), when there are 1 or 2 overcards on the flop
(or another dangerous type flop) and multiple players in the pot.
Realistically, there are only 2 possible reasons for a call: 1) You
have pot odds, which is if the cost to call (in proportion to the pot)
is less than your odds of improving those 10s. Or 2) if its heads up
and you think there is a good chance you are being bluffed (which is
difficult to determine, unless you know the bettor’s style already).

Also I see many players playing as if Texas Hold’em was the same as a
slot machine. Put in your money, spin the reels, and play what comes up
win or lose. Instead, try this approach. Play it like a chess game. The
tourney is a war. Your chips are your King. Protecting them is
paramount. Chess has an opening, a middle game, and an endgame.
Opening moves should be simple and cautious, so not to lose your King
to early. Watching to see the opponents reactions and counter moves.
While the middle game is a little more loose/aggressive, trying to
position yourself to be strong going into the endgame. Where,
inevitably you must attack and capture your opponents King to win the
game. But unlike chess, in hold’em you do not have to say “Checkmate”
if you win.

9-Besides Bubba Dan of course, who do you consider one of the best
on-line players?

Inside the league there are too many to name. So I will go outside the
league to answer this one. There is a player on Prima named “digithal”
who always has at least double the max buy in for whichever table he is
at. Also a player named NJMISFIT is a very dangerous opponent. I would
be remiss if I answered this question without mentioning TARLS. I
remember when the league was just in its infancy (3 or 4 owners/admins
ago), and him kickin’ ass all the time. I haven’t seen him much lately,
but I am certain he is still around, so BEWARE!!!!!

10-What do you do when you are not playing on-line poker? Tell us a
little about yourself?

I’ll try not to ramble on too much … heheheheh.

I am married to a great woman, and we have 2 daughters and a son. We
have been together since ’86. Our girls are 10 and 17, and our son is
12. We are very proud of them. One could say we have a full house As
over Ks, because all our initials are AAAKK. I am pleased to say they
are good kids, active in school, church and the community. It seems
that as they are getting older they are getting busier and busier. But,
somehow we manage to keep up with them.

I have been in the printing business since ’89, and my wife works at
that guy Tony Stewart’s sponsor. My hours are pretty much 9-5, Mon-Fri,
but, hers are all over the map. We usually only get 2 or 3 days a month
on the weekends which neither of us has to work. So, we try to keep
those days for our ‘whole family’ activities. Such as visiting
relatives, or going to a movie or restaurant, shopping, etc.

I have earned about $500 worth of various poker
merchandise/paraphernalia from PSO that I use to host small home
tourneys about 2 or 3 times a month. With 8-15 family and friends
joining in. I usually make a HUGE pot of chili with all the extras, or
spaghetti (or some other pasta dish), or we order pizza. It’s fun, and
sort of a refreshing change from the sometimes hectic pace of the
on-line game. They all know I play a lot on-line, and rub it in if they
happen to knock me out. But usually I take 1st or 2nd. So it’s all good.

So now, when I’m not playing poker on-line or at a home game, or
working, or running around town with one of the kids ……… I can be found
playing or listening to music, because being from the Motown area, music
is running through my veins. I also like to play chess when I get the
chance. I used to collect chess sets when I was younger, but I only
have 5 now. I love the RedWings, and NASCAR, but I can watch them while
on-line. I also like to write (big surprise there eh?) when the
inspiration arises, I am told I articulate well.

That’s me in a nutshell (no pun intended). I would like to thank Dan,
for coming up with this insightful look into the various players here
and I look forward to reading many, many more interviews in the future.
I also thank the whole league for the doors it opened for me (so to
speak), it is the best league on the net!!!!!!!

Thanks MichMan for the GREAT interview!! I can only hope for this kind of interview from other FPL’ers.

I will be conducting more interviews with other FPL’ers in the future. If you guys have any ideas on what YOU would like to see in these interviews, please email me at bubbadan@freepokerleague.com. I hope you guys enjoy these, I know I enjoy them.