Mike Matusow

Mike Matusow was born on April 30, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. He was first introduced to poker through video poker at the Maxim Casino at age 18, playing so frequently that he developed repetitive strain injuries. He occasionally stole money from his mother's purse and attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings. In 1989, a rounder named Steve Samaroff taught him Texas hold 'em. Matusow later worked as a poker dealer, which allowed him to observe strategies and improve his game before turning professional.

Matusow's first major break came at the 1998 World Series of Poker (WSOP). He paid part of Scotty Nguyen's entry fee into a satellite for the Main Event; Nguyen went on to win the championship and gave Matusow $333,333 as a return on his stake. The following year, Matusow won his first WSOP bracelet in the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em event, defeating Alex Brenes heads-up for $265,475. In 2001, he finished sixth in the WSOP Main Event for nearly $240,000, later lamenting that he was bluffed by eventual champion Juan Carlos Mortensen.

Matusow won his second bracelet in 2002, taking down the $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better event for $148,520 after defeating Daniel Negreanu heads-up. At the 2005 WSOP, he finished ninth out of 5,619 players in the Main Event, earning $1,000,000. Later that year, he won the WSOP Tournament of Champions, defeating Hoyt Corkins heads-up for another $1,000,000, becoming the first player to win two million-dollar prizes in a single year. He placed third in the Tournament of Champions in 2006 for $250,000.

In 2008, Matusow won his third bracelet in the $5,000 No Limit 2–7 Draw with rebuys event, earning $537,862 after a heads-up win over Jeff Lisandro. He also made another deep run in the 2008 Main Event, finishing 30th out of 6,844 players. His fourth bracelet came in 2013 in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better event, defeating Matthew Ashton heads-up for $266,503. He nearly added a fifth bracelet in 2023, finishing second in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo event.

Matusow made his first World Poker Tour (WPT) final table in 2004 at the UltimateBet Aruba Classic, finishing third for $250,000. In 2006, he was runner-up to Tony G in the WPT Bad Boys of Poker II. He also finished second in the 2007 WPT Bellagio Cup III for $671,320. Matusow reached ten WPT final tables overall with 15 money finishes. In the National Heads-Up Championship, he won $750,000 for his performance in 2013. He also won the winner-take-all Poker Superstars III championship match, earning $500,000. Matusow has appeared on High Stakes Poker (seasons 2, 3, 4, and 6) and was a regular on Poker After Dark, winning one episode. He was also a member of Team Full Tilt on the now-defunct Full Tilt Poker.

Matusow, nicknamed "The Mouth", is famous for his non-stop trash-talking at the table, which he uses as a psychological weapon. His aggressive, loose style involves frequent raises and re-raises, applying constant pressure on opponents. He is known for reading opponents well and executing bluffs, but his emotional volatility can lead to costly mistakes. One of his most famous outbursts was berating eventual champion Greg Raymer during the 2004 Main Event. His verbal antics have made him a fan favorite and a polarizing figure.

Beyond poker tournaments, Matusow has been a staple on televised poker shows. He appeared in multiple seasons of High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, winning the latter once. He also participated in Poker Superstars III and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship. His confrontational style has provided memorable moments, such as his infamous rant against Raymer. Matusow has also been featured in documentaries and poker-themed media.

Matusow's outspoken nature has led to fines for on-air profanity and frequent clashes with opponents. He has openly discussed struggles with gambling addiction and financial difficulties, including periods of bankruptcy. In 2004, he was involved in an incident where he stole money from his mother, leading to Gamblers Anonymous attendance. Despite these challenges, he remains a resilient figure in the poker community. He resides in Henderson, Nevada, and continues to play in major events.

With four WSOP bracelets, over $10.5 million in live tournament earnings, and a reputation as one of poker's most entertaining personalities, Mike Matusow has secured his place in poker history. He continues to compete, as seen in his 2023 runner-up finish and ongoing cashes at the WSOP. His career serves as a reminder of the highs and lows of professional poker, and his aggressive style and verbal warfare have influenced a generation of players.