Hello everyone this is the one and only Diego Donk! I have decided to start my own weekly blog discussing poker, life, or whatever else may be on my mind.  This week I want to introduce myself thoroughly and discuss a few poker related topics.  

About Me:

My real name is Matthew White and I play on Hogwild as Whitediego.  Feel free to call me Matt, diego, donkey, whatever works for me.  I live in a small town named Jefferson in Maine. I am very active playing sports such as baseball, soccer, cross country, indoor track, and rugby in high school and college.  I currently am attending the University of Maine @ Augusta studying Computer Information Systems.  My screen name originates from my last name and my dog's name.  He is a schipperke ( a belgian rat dog).   I will put a picture of diego up right after this blog.  I'm sure you will all learn more about me as the weeks pass. 

Poker Experience:

Yes, I am an amateur, noob.  Enough said.  

Poker Discussion: 

This week I just want to give my opinion about bankroll management for NL Hold'em MTT's, small blind completion play, and button play.

Bankroll:  I am a very conservative player.  I believe a person should never buy-in to a tourney for more than 5% of their bankroll.  In general you will find me buying in for no more than 2.2% of my bankroll in a single tourney.  I guarantee you even if you are the tightest nit on the planet you will be a profitable player if you only buy-in for 2.2% of your bankroll. I believe this is also important because in tournaments the big money is won by finishing 1-3.  If you are buying in for above 5% of your bankroll you are more apt to play overly tight on the bubble of tournaments, instead of exploiting the bubble to your advantage to make a push for a big finish in the top 3.  Min cashing regularly by playing tight due to improper bankroll management will not turn the profit you are looking to achieve as a poker player.

Small blind completion:

In the early stages of tournaments I don't like to complete from the small blind with no limpers ahead.  

1. BB is liable to raise in position with any two and you have yet to determine of the player is aggro or a nit.

2.You have no feel for a range.  The bb could have 72-AK you don't really know early on in a tournament.

In the early stages with limpers in front I like to complete with suited connectors 34s and up.  I like to complete with A8-A9.  I don't believe completing with Ax less than A8 is profitable long term.  With limpers in front you very well could be dominated by AJ-A7 and if a A comes off on the flop you are in a world of hurt trying to find a way to fold.  I know other peoples opinions will differ on this matter but if you do complete with an Ax from the small blind I would be ready to fold to a three bet on a flop with an A.  This is strictly my philosophy in the early stages with A rags.  Obviously squeeze with AJ+ to get a feel for the ranges of the limpers.  Just be aware that your bet needs to be big enough so that you don't give pot odds for all the limpers to join in the party.

Button Play:

Button play early in tournaments.  I like to get into 3-4 way pots with 56s+ connectors from the button.  

1. You get to act last and see who leads out... and get hand info off from the bet sizing.

2. Suited connectors can crush big pocket pairs early in tournaments.  Straights, flushes, two pairs, there is so much value to suited connecters and one gappers early in tournaments.  Obviously the value of these connectors and gappers go down as the the tournament progresses.

I also like smooth calling small pocket pairs early in tourneys even to re-raises from the blinds where a limper or a raiser from early position calls and comes along giving me good set mining odds.  Even if your dominated by a huge pocket pair if you hit your two-outter... your getting all of that persons chips.  You will lose a small portion of your chips a majority of the time but it is a profitable play early in a tournament.  Just make sure the odds are right.  I would not suggest calling for anymore than 5%-10% of your chips when set mining in the early stages.

The key to poker is having a fresh and calm state of mind. There is no such thing as tilt.  Everyone just uses the word tilt as a way to blow steam and give themself an excuse to play improperly and hurt themselves more.  This may sound simple but it isn't worth it.  Variation is part of poker.  If the best hand won every time it would not be poker.  It wouldn't be the game we all love and hate.  If you can stay mentally strong and play your game through thick and thin you will be a successful player.  When people use the word tilt to cheat themselves out of playing their game, that they have found previous success in, it kills me.  I hope this makes sense.

This blog is for my sake more than anything.  If anyone wishes to post their opinions, suggestions or comments feel free.  I also apologize for my poor grammar.

I want to end this blog with a weekly quote.

Weekly Quote:

"Nobody is always a winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a liar or doesn't play poker."

Amarillo Slim