TheSqueeze - a Primetime star

Mike aka 'TheSqueeze'

MTTs entered: 1,126
Cashes: 180
Final tables: 124
Wins: 18
Biggest win: $7,316 (1st - Sunday Classic - 09 November 2008)
Money list: 7th ($93,143)
MTT ranking: 61st

The horse's mouth
Danski: With more than $21K in MTT earnings since 01 August, and multiple four-figure scores, things are going well! But over the last two months things have really picked up, with two Primetime wins and final tables at three more your standout results. Is this just variance having it’s wicked way with your winning regularity, or have you improved your game that much over the last 8 weeks?

Mike: Variance plays a big part yes... but variance can make you frustrated and play bad which makes a downswing last longer and harder. I've realised trying to having variety in your life is a huge help is. It's easy to sit in front of a computer for 16 hours a day, but when things don't go well you can get stuck there. So doing things like going out drinking or exercising (not recommended in that order) or seeing a mate can do a lot to change your mood and perspective and reignite the poker fire. Also I like to play some PLO or PL08 just to freshen things up. What got me out of my last downswing was actually a couple of days playing cash at Empire Casino [London], making something like £1,000 over the two days playing £1/2 cash. The next day I had a big score online and since then my Sit & Go results have picked up and i've had a few good MTT results.

D: Which PKR players have helped you to become the player you are today?

M: I think the two players I discuss strategy the most with are discomonkey and Chivalrousgent, although with Chiv it usually ends in us disagreeing!

D: Your results are getting better and better. But are you getting better, or is it simply more time put in? If you’re improving, then how?

M: I've never been volume crazy because I don't wanna lose the fun of the game. If I don't enjoy what I'm doing I will do it badly. General strategy has changed a lot for me in the last year, with things like bubble play and basically knowing when to change gears at different stages of a tournament, basing your decisions on your stack/blinds/opponents' stacks/opponents' styles. Also with better players I need to be aware of what or how they perceive my play and try and do the opposite of what they expect.

D: You seem to play almost exclusively online. Will you be turning your talents to satellites and the live UK and international circuit?

M: I've been extremely unlucky in live event satellites for the WSOP, GUKPT and APT events (ask zlatan35), so I'm desperate to have a good go at these over the next year.

D: Give us one decent piece of advice for players who want to mirror your online MTT success.

M: I think many players (as did I) overplay pocket pairs up to 99, especially when calling. These cards seem to be one of the biggest haemorrhaging of chips for an up and coming player. In the late stages of a tournament, it's very risky playing these hands in early position.

D: Thanks for talking to us Mike and we wish you continued success at the tables!