Interview with famous Swedish poker pro Micke Norinder / English Cardlovers.com

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He holds the title Swedish Poker Champion in Omaha, and is one of the most renowned and talked about poker player in Sweden. Read the interview about the upcoming Swedish online poker championships in November.
Interview with Mikael Norinder
2008-09-23
The Swedish Championship (SM) in Online Poker, is held between 2 November and 9 of November on Unibet, sanction of the Swedish Poker Federation. Satellites to the tournaments have already begun. Only Swedish citizens are allowed to participate. Cardlovers had the chance to interview one of Sweden´s most renown and talked about poker pro player Mikael Norinder. Currently holding the Swedish Live Poker title in Omaha.

Q: Are you going to play online poker SM on Unibet?
M.N: Absolutely, as a Unibet pro I will participate in all events

Q: What’s the biggest changeover to play tournaments online towards playing live? How is the competition in live poker versus online?
M.N: I like live play more. With live play you get a lot more information. It’s possible to see how an opponent reacts in different situations etc. When playing online, the probabilities and percentage are more important, of course it’s always possible to get some kind of understanding how a player reacts. The opponent online makes more “crazy” plays. I think it’s easier with calls/all in online when you’re in a way are anonymous. Who hasn’t done a play in front of the computer, which they would have never done in a live game???

Q: What do you value the most? A SM-title live or Online?
M.N: Online Poker is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. Its possible to play anytime, varies games and more. Everyone doesn’t have the possibility to go to a casino or club. Personally I think that live versus online is two different games. I prefer live and I value a live title much more.

Q: Is there any chance to become Swedish Champion in online poker this year, if someone hasn’t played online before? How does one become a Swedish Champion in poker? And what does it mean to become a Swedish Champion?
M.N: Of course there is a chance. Everyone has the chance… The chances of winning of course increases if you played before and has a certain understanding of the game concept. The person who finally stands there as the Swedish Champion will be able to look back on a pretty good card average where the big pairs stod and didn’t become outdrawn. You have to win a lot of coinflips. The charm with poker is that luck factor is a part of the game, when the blinds becomes higher, you have lady fortune on your side. Under one of the earlier online-SM, the final winner had pocket aces 14 times during first night!!! He didn’t lose with them once…. That tells a lot. Except of the prestige of becoming Swedish Champion, there is also a lot of money involved. This year champion will also have the chance to show his skills in live competition around Europe…

Q: What are your hopes for Online Poker SM 2008 on Unibet? Do you think it will draw a lot of people?
M.N: I hope and think we will break last year’s numbers by far. I myself have noticed a huge draw amongst players, there is new accounts starting and old ones being activated for the SM. It will be exciting to see how much 5 card draw SM will attract. I think there is a lot of people who have missed this earlier year.