Mike Matusow

Michael Matusow was born on April 30, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. He developed an early interest in poker through video poker at the Maxim Casino at the age of 18. This led to a repetitive strain injury in his shoulders and arms, and he also experienced personal challenges, including occasionally taking money from his mother’s purse and attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Matusow’s professional poker journey began in 1989 when he was taught Texas hold ’em by Steve Samaroff, a seasoned poker rounder. He later worked as a poker dealer before becoming a full-time professional player.

Matusow’s career highlights include four World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, a prestigious achievement in competitive poker. He won his first bracelet in 1999 in the $3,500 No Limit Hold’em event. In 2001, he placed 6th in the WSOP $10,000 No Limit Hold ’em Main Event. He secured his second bracelet in 2002 by winning the $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better event. In 2005, Matusow had a particularly successful year, finishing 9th in the WSOP Main Event and winning $1,000,000. Later that same year, he won the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, earning another $1,000,000, making him the first player to win two million-dollar prizes in the same year.

His track record also includes a third bracelet win in 2008 in the $5,000 No Limit 2–7 Draw with rebuys event. He continued his notable performance in the Main Event that year, finishing 30th. Matusow earned his fourth WSOP bracelet in 2013 by winning the $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better tournament. Beyond WSOP, he has achieved success on the World Poker Tour (WPT), including a 3rd place finish at the UltimateBet Aruba Classic in 2004 and winning the NBC National Heads-Up Championship in 2013. As of July 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $10,000,000.