Mike Matusow is a professional poker player who is best known by his nickname "The Mouth". His nickname comes from the fact that he insults other players and constantly complains at the poker table.http://www.pokerzone.com/player+profiles/mike+matusowEven before he became big in the poker community, he had a competitive spirit. As a kid, he enjoyed playing pool, bowling, and building race cars.http://www.mikethemouth.com/mike-matusow-about.phpWhen he was of age, he started dealing cards as his primary income, and he got familiar with the game quickly. He started playing poker regularly at Sam's Town Casino in Las Vegas during the 1990s.http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/mike-matusowThe first tournament he played in, although it was small, he won.http://www.mikethemouth.com/mike-matusow-about.php
After he had won a substantial amount of money through poker tournaments, Matusow started playing in cash games at the casinos, and in 1997, entered into his first WSOP tournament. The World Series of Poker started in 1970 and houses various events including texas hold'em tournaments and tournaments for other types of poker.http://www.wsop.com/Mike came second in his first WSOP tournament.http://www.mikethemouth.com/mike-matusow-about.php
Personal Life
Mike Matusow's past includes the abuse of alcohol and drugs. The first illegal drug he tried was ecstasy, and afterward he started taking speed regularly. An undercover agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency, Mike Fento, met him at a party and became close to Mike, earning his trust. When Fento asked Matusow to get him a package of cocaine, he did. On Oct. 6, 2004, Mike was arrested for drug trafficking and spent 6 months in jail.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-07-25-poker-matusow_x.htm
According to Mike, his life has taken a complete turn around. He has been clean for 3 yearshttp://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-07-25-poker-matusow_x.htmand is now working on thinking positive.http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/poker-from-the-rail/the-pros-speak/the-pros-speak-mike-matusowHe calls himself "the new Mike" and his resistance of the old negative attitude he once possessed begs to differ with his old nickname The Mouth.http://pokerworks.com/poker-news/2009/01/06/matusow-scores-on-11th-attempt-poker-after-dark.html
Featured Video
This is a video of the World Series of Poker Main Event 2009. Mike Matusow is in a hand with Richard Johnson, a business owner from Georgia. Matusow flops a Queen high flush, and Johnson has the Ace high flush draw. Johnson bets, Matusow raises, and the business owner puts all his chips in the pot. Although Mike already has the made hand, he ends up folding it to the tightest player at the table. Mike didn't want to gamble, and Johnson takes the pot.
Mike Matusow Timeline
Note: The IMDb links in this timeline have pop-ups.
April 30, 1968: Born
1989: First Texas Hold 'Em game
2001: Finished 6th in the World Series of Poker
2005: Winner of the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions
2004: Made first final table in the World Poker Tour
2006: Debut in the European Poker Tour
2007: Appeared in two episodes of Poker After Dark
2007: Came in second place at the Bellagio Cup III Championship
2008: Won his third bracelet at the $5K No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball event
2008: Won the first week of Poker After Dark Series V
2009: Made final table in WSOP main event
References
Fast Facts
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Born
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Birthplace
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Fact:
Was a poker dealer before becoming a professional player
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Fact:
Has won three bracelets in the WSOP
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Fact:
Total winnings: over $6.5 million
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Nickname
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Fact:
Learned the game of Texas Hold’em from a poker expert named Steve Samaroff in 1989
