Matt Savage

Matt Savage is a towering figure in the poker industry, best known as the Executive Tour Director of the World Poker Tour (WPT) and a pioneer in tournament rules standardization. With over 450 televised poker episodes under his belt, he has been a constant presence at the game's biggest stages, from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to the WPT. Though not a professional player, he has also accumulated over $156,000 in live tournament earnings.

In 2001, Savage co-founded the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) alongside Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and David Lamb. The TDA was created to standardize poker tournament rules worldwide, a mission that has become a cornerstone of modern tournament poker. His early career included tournament direction at Commerce Casino, Bay 101, and Thunder Valley Casino Resort, roles he still holds today.

Savage served as tournament director for the World Series of Poker from 2002 to 2004 and for the World Poker Tour from 2002 to 2019, officiating over 400 episodes of televised poker—a record. He was on the microphone to call the historic 2003 WSOP final hand in which Chris Moneymaker defeated Sammy Farha, a moment that sparked the poker boom. Savage also directed the inaugural poker events in Macau and Monte Carlo, and worked with networks including Fox News, FSN, Travel Channel, NBC, and ESPN. He had a prominent role in the Warner Bros. movie Lucky You alongside Eric Bana and Robert Duvall.

While not a professional player, Savage has cashed multiple times in live tournaments. His first WSOP cash came in 2009, when he finished fifth in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low 8 or Better event for his first final table. As of 2019, his live tournament winnings exceeded $125,000, and his total live earnings now stand at $156,319, with a best cash of $32,396.

Originally from San Jose, California, Savage now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is an avid golfer who has hosted the Savage Invitational Golf Tournament for 28 consecutive years (29th edition upcoming). A devoted sports fan, he supports the Dallas Cowboys, San Jose Sharks, and is a day-one season ticket holder for the World Champion Las Vegas Golden Knights. Savage is married to Maryann, and they have a daughter named Rizaann and a son named Marko.

Savage's influence extends beyond his on-screen roles. He was the inaugural inductee into the Poker Room Manager's Hall of Fame in 2003 and has earned five GPI Awards. He has been nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame multiple times, including in 2017 and 2018. His work with the TDA and his leadership in tournament direction have cemented his legacy as one of the most important figures in modern poker.