Two-time WSOP bracelet winner
Born in Los Angeles, California in April, 1968, Mike Matusow didn't take long to develop his most defining characteristic - his mouth.
Even as a kid growing up, Mike was never afraid of voicing his opinions - even if it meant standing up to the biggest and toughest kids in the neighborhood. He might come home battered and bruised sometimes, but never defeated.
In the early 1990s, Mike began working as a dealer at a local casino. He used his time to study the players and their techniques. Soon, his game improved and he entered a small local poker tournament, which he promptly won.
Encouraged, Mike began quickly moving up the ladder. In 1999, he won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet playing No-Limit Hold 'em. In 2001, Mike made his first appearance at the WSOP Main Event final table, and in 2002, Mike won his second WSOP bracelet playing his specialty, Omaha Hi/Lo.
In July 2005, Mike became the second person to ever reach the WSOP Main Event final table twice in a starting field of 600 or more players.
Inspired by his performance and wanting to prove that there's more to his game than just his mouth, Mike scored the biggest victory of his career a few months later when he out-played - and often out-talked - a field of 110 of the world's best players to win the 2005 Tournament of Champions, taking home a $1 million prize.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Mike constantly works on his game and remains one of the most successful - and outspoken - players at any table he joins.
