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Mike Matusow

From a destitute struggler to a multimillionaire, from a victim of bullying to a sensation, from poverty to wealth: Few biographies of poker pros embody the American Poker Dream as eloquently as Mike Matusow's. Without a college degree and with a failed attempt at becoming an automotive mechanic, he found himself stuck with a dead-end job at his parents' store, his future seemingly doomed from the start. However, against all odds, he achieved what thousands of poker players across the globe yearn for. Matusow rose to become a poker pro, capturing a total of four WSOP Bracelets and accumulating prize money exceeding $9 million.

Since his breakthrough, Mike Matusow's life has been a roller coaster ride. He has experienced great success and amassed millions in winnings, but his journey has also been marred by drug addiction, gambling problems, stints in prison, and ties to organized crime. Even after more than 20 years as a professional player, the Californian remains active in the poker scene, shaking things up with his extraordinary and sometimes unfriendly demeanor.

First encounter with gambling and poker

Matusow, born in Los Angeles, had his first encounter with poker while on a trip to Las Vegas, where he got hooked on video poker machines. He developed a genuine fondness for draw poker slot machines, and from then on, Mike played almost daily, which, according to his own accounts, even led to muscular injuries due to the continuous strain on his shoulders and arms. In 1989, he was introduced to Texas Hold'em and began venturing into live poker, at least part-time.

He resided in Las Vegas by now, keeping a close eye on the professional circuit there, and aspiring to establish himself within it. Patience paid off, and ultimately, it was Scotty Nguyen's WSOP success in 1998 that propelled Matusow to breakthrough. Prior to the event, he had actually backed Nguyen and paid one-third of his buy-ins for the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event, which Nguyen surprisingly emerged victorious in. The investment bore fruit, and Mike received one-third of Nguyen's prize money in return, a whopping $333,333 US dollars. With this starting capital, he could now kickstart his own career, and it took off rapidly.

Quick successes

The first major success did not take long to arrive. Already in the WSOP 1999, he was able to secure victory in the "€3,500 No Limit Hold'em" tournament, earning a prize of $265,475 and his first WSOP bracelet. Additionally, just three days later, he also cashed in as the fifth place finisher at the "Omaha 8 or Better" event. In the following years, he made his presence felt at every major American live poker event, consistently achieving outstanding results with multiple money finishes each year. In 2002, he secured his second bracelet by winning the WSOP "Omaha High/Low" event, taking home nearly $150,000 in prize money.

Mafia, drugs, and imprisonment

The rapid success that Matusow achieved in a few years, going from a loser to a celebrated star in a booming scene, went to the Californian's head. His preferred hangouts, after the casinos in Las Vegas, became the most notorious strip clubs in town, exposing him to organized crime and drugs. He entered several relationships with strippers who introduced him to the world of illegal substances. Poker gradually took a back seat for the once enthusiastic player, as his life now revolved around days and nights of ecstasy-fueled parties. Eventually, he transitioned to cocaine and, ultimately, to speed, which allowed him to make a comeback at the poker table.

In 2002, Mike Matusow hosted a grand celebration at the prestigious Palms Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, where he generously distributed complimentary ecstasy to all attendees. Among the guests was an undercover police officer, who established contact with Matusow during the party and subsequently engaged in numerous drug and money laundering deals with him. When Matusow finally confronted the harsh reality, the prosecution presented him with an offer to testify against his drug suppliers. However, he declined the proposition out of fear that organized criminals would retaliate by taking his life. Thanks to the expertise of a skilled attorney, he ultimately served merely six months in prison, as he was also facing charges of severe physical assault. From 2005 onwards, the poker maestro refrained from indulging in drugs and largely distanced himself from the criminal underworld, although he still maintains a lifelong membership at one of Las Vegas' most renowned strip clubs to this day.

Matusov today

Matusow has always been a controversial player, rightfully earning the nickname "The Mouth". Many professional players are not keen on sitting at the table with the man from Los Angeles because he occasionally makes derogatory remarks about others' moves and spreads negativity. Nonetheless, Matusow also has a significant fan base who appreciate his rough edges, celebrating him as one of the last genuine originals in the poker scene.

After serving his time in prison, Mike refocused on his poker career, experiencing success not only in numerous high-stakes tournaments but also regaining his status as a top player in the industry. This was evident from the myriad invitations he received to participate in TV shows and special poker events. For instance, he became a regular guest on popular television formats such as "Poker After Dark" and "High Stakes Poker".

In 2005, Mike Matusow made his biggest cash win right after his prison stint. He triumphed over formidable competitors like Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan at the WSOP Tournament of Champions in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. This victory earned him a million-dollar prize and served as a testament to his exceptional skills. Furthermore, his continued success is evident from his numerous prize money wins at the WSOP in 2017. It attests to Matusow's ability to play at the highest level even today, giving him a genuine opportunity to further expand his collection of titles in the coming years. In 2008, he secured two additional bracelets at the WSOP events, specifically in the "No-Limit 2-7 Draw" and in 2013, in the "Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split 8 or better" game. The swift resurgence of his achievements reflects his unwavering dedication and talent.