Mike Matusow

{{infobox poker player

|name=Mike Matusow

|nickname=The Mouth

|image=Mike Matusow 2008.jpg

|caption=Matusow at the 2008 World Series of Poker

|hometown=Las Vegas, Nevada

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1968|4|30}}

|birth_place=Los Angeles, California

|wsop bracelet count=4

|wsop final tables=27

|wsop money finishes=115

|wsop main event best finish rank=6th

|wsop main event best finish year=2001

|wpt titles=None

|wpt final tables=10

|wpt money finishes=15

|updated=2024-08-02

|child=Ross Tismond}}

Michael Matusow (born April 30, 1968) is an American professional poker player residing in Henderson, Nevada. Matusow's nickname of "the Mouth" reflects his reputation for trash-talking at the poker table.{{Cite web |title=Mike Matusow – Poker Player Profile |url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/poker-player_mike-matusow?show=bio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154755/http://www.pokerlistings.com/poker-player_mike-matusow?show=bio |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=August 6, 2006 |website=PokerListings.com}}{{Cite web |last=DiMeglio |first=Steve |date=July 27, 2006 |title=Wild ride for Matusow |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-07-25-poker-matusow_x.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819020329/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-07-25-poker-matusow_x.htm |archive-date=August 19, 2006 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Michael |date=August 2006 |title=Me and my big mouth |url=http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/poker-players/player-interviews/1259/me_and_my_big_mouth.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630202407/http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/poker-players/player-interviews/1259/me_and_my_big_mouth.html |archive-date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2011 |website=PokerPlayer}}

Matusow began playing poker seriously in the early 1990s, first while working as a poker dealer, then as a professional player. His successes include being a four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner{{Cite web |title=30th World Series of Poker - WSOP 1999, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7856 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=33rd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2002, Omaha Hi/Lo Split |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4416 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} and the winner of the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.{{Cite web |title=World Series of Poker - WSOP Tournament of Champions 2005, Tournament of Champions - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14994 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

Early years

Matusow was born in Los Angeles, California.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} He was first introduced to poker when he played video poker at the Maxim Casino at the age of 18. He was a regular and played so much that he suffered from repetitive strain injury in his shoulders and arms. He occasionally stole money from his mother's purse and at one point attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Matusow was taught Texas hold 'em in 1989 by a rounder named Steve Samaroff.{{Cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Michael |date=August 2006 |title=Me and My Big Mouth |publisher=Total Gambler |url=http://www.totalgambler.com/theplayers/playerinterviews/1259/me_and_my_big_mouth.html |access-date=June 1, 2007}}

Poker career

At the 1998 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Matusow paid part of Scotty Nguyen's entrance fee into a satellite event for the $10,000 no limit Texas hold 'em Main Event. Nguyen went on to win, and gave $333,333 to Matusow in return for his partial stake.{{Cite book |last1=Matusow |first1=Mike |title=Mike Matusow: Check-Raising the Devil |last2=Amy Calistri |last3=Tim Lavalli |date=May 2009 |isbn=978-1-58042-261-1 |author-link=Mike Matusow}} In 1999, Matusow won his first WSOP bracelet, winning the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em event defeating Alex Brenes heads-up to win the title.{{Cite web |title=30th World Series of Poker - WSOP 1999, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7856 |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

In 2001, he finished 6th place in the WSOP $10,000 no limit Hold 'em main event. Matusow says that the decisive hand was when he was bluffed by eventual champion Juan Carlos Mortensen, but did not trust his instincts to call.{{Cite web |title=32nd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2001, Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3066 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

At the 2002 WSOP, Matusow won his second bracelet by winning the $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better event. He defeated fellow professional poker player Daniel Negreanu to win the tournament.{{Cite web |title=33rd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2002, Omaha Hi/Lo Split |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4416 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

In the 2005 WSOP, Matusow finished 9th out of 5,619 players in the main event, winning $1,000,000.{{Cite web |title=36th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2005, No Limit Texas Hold'em - World Championship Event |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14015 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} Several months later, he won the WSOP Tournament of Champions in a heads-up battle against Hoyt Corkins, earning another $1,000,000 in the process, making him the first player to win two million dollar prizes in the same year.{{Cite web |title=World Series of Poker - WSOP Tournament of Champions 2005, Tournament of Champions - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14994 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} He also placed third in the Tournament of Champions the following year, winning $250,000.{{Cite web |title=World Series of Poker - WSOP Tournament of Champions 2006, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15520 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

At the 2008 World Series of Poker, Matusow won a third bracelet in the $5000 No Limit 2–7 Draw with rebuys event defeating Jeff Lisandro heads up for the $537,862 first prize.{{Cite web |last=Hartness |first=John |date=June 12, 2008 |title=2008 World Series of Poker Event #18 $5,000 No-Limit 2–7 Draw w/ Rebuys: Matusow Tops Lisandro for Win |url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2008/06/2008-wsop-event-18-final-5000-nl-deuce-seven-draw-rebuys-matusow-tops-lisandro.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614221907/http://www.pokernews.com/news/2008/06/2008-wsop-event-18-final-5000-nl-deuce-seven-draw-rebuys-matusow-tops-lisandro.htm |archive-date=June 14, 2008 |access-date=June 12, 2008 |website=PokerNews}} Later in the same year he finished 30th out of 6,844 players in the Main Event, making yet another deep run in the Main Event.{{Cite web |title=39th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2008, World Championship No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=29730 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

Matusow won his fourth bracelet in 2013 in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better tournament, defeating Matthew Ashton heads-up and earning $266,503.{{Cite web |title=44th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2013, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo (Event #13) |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=80483 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

= World Series of Poker bracelets =

class="wikitable"
style="background: #E9E9E9;" \| Year ! style="background: #E9E9E9;" \| Event ! style="background: #E9E9E9;" \| Prize money
1999 \| $3,500 No Limit Hold 'em \| $265,475
2002 \| $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better \| $148,520
2008 \| $5,000 No Limit 2–7 Draw w/Rebuys \| $537,862
2013 \| $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better \| $266,503

class="wikitable"

style="background: #E9E9E9;" | Year

! style="background: #E9E9E9;" | Event

! style="background: #E9E9E9;" | Prize money

1999

| $3,500 No Limit Hold 'em

| $265,475

2002

| $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better

| $148,520

2008

| $5,000 No Limit 2–7 Draw w/Rebuys

| $537,862

2013

| $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better

| $266,503

=Other poker ventures=

In October 2004, Matusow made his first World Poker Tour (WPT) final table at the UltimateBet Aruba Classic, earning $250,000 for 3rd place.{{Cite web |title=2004 Ultimatebet.com Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em Final Day |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8650 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} In 2006, he finished runner-up to Tony G in the WPT Bad Boys of Poker II in heads-up play.{{Cite web |title=World Poker Tour - WPT Bad Boys of Poker II, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=17366 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} Matusow also appeared in Poker Superstars III, where he made it to the Elite Eight. In the winner-take-all championship match, Matusow beat seven other players to win $500,000. He also appeared in the second, third, fourth, and sixth season of High Stakes Poker.{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2006 |title=FSN: Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament 3 |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/5398712 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818201713/http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/5398712 |archive-date=August 18, 2006 |access-date=August 6, 2006 |website=Fox Sports Network}}{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Earl |date=May 24, 2006 |title='High Stakes Poker' Back For A Second Season In June |url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2006/5/high-stakes-poker-second-season.htm |access-date=August 6, 2006 |website=PokerNews.com}} In September 2006, Mike made his debut on the European Poker Tour (EPT) in Barcelona; however, he was eliminated on the first day. In early 2007, Matusow appeared on two episodes of Poker After Dark where he finished 3rd and 2nd respectively. He plays online poker under the following aliases: "dill pickle" (UltimateBet); "mrpokejoke" (PokerStars); and "Mike Matusow" (Full Tilt Poker, where he was formerly a member of "Team Full Tilt").{{Cite web |title=Mike Matusow |url=http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/mikeMatusow.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060807010557/http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/mikeMatusow.php |archive-date=August 7, 2006 |access-date=August 6, 2006 |website=Full Tilt Poker}}

In July 2007, Matusow won $671,320 after coming in second place at the World Poker Tour Bellagio Cup III Championship after online pro Kevin Saul defeated him during heads-up play.{{Cite web |title=World Series of Poker - WSOP Tournament of Champions 2005, Tournament of Champions - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14994 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} On November 11, 2008, at the World Poker Tour Foxwoods World Poker Finals, Matusow made another WPT final table, He was eliminated after his {{cards|As|Jh}} didn't improve against Jonathan Little's hand of {{cards|9h|9s}}, he finished in 6th place, earning $124,048.{{Cite web |title=2008 World Poker Finals, No Limit Hold'em - Championship Event |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=33040 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}

In 2013, Matusow won the NBC National Heads-Up Championship, defeating Phil Hellmuth 2–1 in the final.{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Andrew |date=January 28, 2013 |title=Matusow wins Heads-Up Championship |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/poker/post/_/id/24/nhupc-2013-mike-matusow-defeats-phil-hellmuth-heads-title |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

As of July 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $10,000,000.{{Cite web |title=Mike Matusow's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=170 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} $3,580,911 of his winnings have come at the WSOP.{{Cite web |title=Mike Matusow |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=248 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=WSOP.com}}

Personal life

Matusow resides in Henderson, Nevada. He is Jewish.{{Cite tweet |author=Mike Matusow |user=themouthmatusow |number= 938249966320881664 |title= Sorry I'm Jewish and pro Israel. Obama was anti Israel and ----- fill in the space! #StandWithIsrael}} He often wears a gold chain with the Hebrew symbol 'chai' around his neck. Additionally, Matusow hosted Card Player's poker radio show/podcast, the Circuit, before being replaced by Gavin Smith and Joe Sebok.{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |title=The Circuit |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/thecircuit/?page=11 |publisher=www.cardplayer.com}} He was also the host of Card Player's now defunct online video segment, "The Mouthpiece." In one episode, Mike discussed the controversial Ultimatebet.com superuser cheating scandal, as well as seeking legal action as a victim of the scandal against the main perpetrator, former World Series of Poker Champion Russ Hamilton.{{cite web | title=The Mouthpiece: Episode 61 | website=Card Player | date=2009-07-23 | url=https://www.cardplayer.com/cptv/channels/6-the-mouthpiece/poker-videos/2986-the-mouthpiece-episode-61 | access-date=2025-03-02}}{{cite web | last=Burnett | first=Andrew | title=The Russ Hamilton Ultimate Bet Scandal | website=PokerTube | date=2016-02-04 | url=https://www.pokertube.com/article/the-russ-hamilton-ultimate-bet-scandal | access-date=2025-03-02}}

Matusow has had several personal problems. He has battled drug issues, including a six-month stint in jail in 2004 and 2005 after being caught providing ecstasy and prescription painkillers to an undercover police officer who pretended to befriend Matusow and gained his trust. After several months of an official Las Vegas Metro Police "Sting Operation",{{Cite web |last=Chaffin |first=Sean |date=November 25, 2023 |title=Mike 'The Mouth' Matusow Talks New Documentary And Poker’s Ups And Downs |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/28402-mike-the-mouth-matusow-talks-new-documentary-and-poker-s-ups-and-downs |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=CardPlayer.com}} Matusow was arrested and charged with six category A Felonies, all drug related.{{Cite web |title=Welcome Page - Clark County Justice Court Case Search |url=http://cvpublicaccess.co.clark.nv.us/pa/}} A plea deal was later reached where Matusow was incarcerated in the Clark County Detention Center for six months.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2009 |title=World Series of Poker: ‘The Mouth’ roars no more |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/world-series-of-poker-the-mouth-roars-no-more/ |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}

Matusow wrote an autobiography titled Check Raising the Devil that was released May 12, 2009.{{Cite web |last=Matusow |first=Mike |last2=Calistri |first2=Amy |last3=Lavalli |first3=Tim |date=May 1, 2012 |title=Mike Matusow: Check-Raising the Devil |url=https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Matusow-Check-Raising-Devil/dp/158042306X |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=Amazon.com |publisher=Cardoza |language=English}}

References

External links

[https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/1342-mike-matusow Card Player profile]
[https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=170 Hendon Mob profile]
[https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/mike-matusow/ PokerNews profile]
[https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/mike-matusow/ WPT profile]
[https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=248 WSOP profile]

Category:1968 births

Category:American poker players

Category:Jewish American sportspeople

Category:Living people

Category:Poker players from Los Angeles

Category:Poker commentators

Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners

Category:National Heads-Up Poker Championship winners

Category:Poker After Dark tournament winners

Category:21st-century American Jews