WSOP: Poker gods deny Mike Matusow's request for a 3

Written by Robert Johnson

Monday, 09 July 2007

Mike Matusow asked the poker gods for a three but did not get it and was knocked out of the 2007 WSOP in Day 1c on Sunday. Fans of the Mouth that took Matusow at -120 odds to outlast the former 2004 WSOP Champion Greg Raymer at Bodog.com are extremely happy since.

Down to his last $10,000, the Mouth moved all in from the small blind after the player in the cutoff raised to $1,200. The other player called and flipped over pocket jacks, which had Matusow's pocket threes crushed.

Despite a desperate cry of "Put a three out there!" from someone in the crowd, the board ran out Qd/2h/9s/10c/10h to end Matusow's chanced in the 2007 WSOP.

Michael (Mike) "The Mouth" Matusow (was born on April 30, 1968 in Las Angeles, California. He acquired his nickname of “The Mouth” through his reputation of “trash talking” at the poker tables. He is also known in the poker circles as ruining hours or days of good play with one spectacular misjudgments, now known as a Matusow Blow-up" or "Mike Matusow Meltdown".

Matusow's numerous successes include: a two-time World Series of Poker Bracelet winner, the winner of the 2005 WSOP Tournament of Champions, along with other various tournaments.

While in school, Matusow was bullied, and suffered as a result. After high school, he decided not to attend college, and instead, attempted to find work as an auto mechanic, but did not complete the required studies for the job. Later, he worked at his family’s furniture store.

Matusow’s first experience with poker was through video poker. He began doing so at the Maxum Casino when he was 18, and did so to the point where he suffered from repetitive strain injury in his arms and shoulders. On occasion, he would steel money from his mother’s purse, and became addicted to the game. He then attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

He was taught how to play Texas Hold’em in 1989 by a rounder named Steve Samaroff. He began earning large sums of money right away and even worked as a dealer for a stint.

Since that time, he has gone on to win many popular poker tournaments, and has acquired quite a reputation for being tough. Still, it is that strategy that has helped keep him on top, where he is most likely to remain.

Every Monday night Bodog.com has a $40,000.00 Guaranteed with a $50+5 buy-in at 8:30 PM EST.