Top 3 Heads-Up Battles of All Time
There have many legendary battles across the years, $millions and huge titles coming down to the mano-a-mano form of poker.
Known as ‘The Mouth’ due to his sometimes confrontational table talk, Mike Matusow is one of the most polarizing poker pros, but there is no doubting his talent on the felt.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Matusow’s first introduction to the game was a video poker machine, which he played to such an extent that he began to experience repetitive strain injuries in his arms and shoulders. Unsurprisingly this machine hurt his bankroll, so much so that he stole money from his mother’s purse and attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
It was not until Matusow was taught Texas Hold Em from a rounder in 1989 that his fortune started to change. In 1997 Matusow entered his first World Series of Poker event, an Omaha eight-or-better tournament, where he eventually finished second to Scotty Nguyen. The next year, convinced by Nguyen’s ability, Matusow staked Nguyen a third of his entry into a Main Event satellite. Nguyen would go on to win both the satellite and the Main Event itself, earning Matusow a third of his winnings, a cool $333,333.
Known as one of the strongest tournament players in the game, Matusow has experienced great success at the World Series of Poker. He has won four bracelets, spanning from 1999 to 2013, and has shown his versatility with each title coming from a different variation of poker. In addition to this, Matusow has also had several deep runs in the Main Event, finishing 6th in 2001, and 9th in 2005.
He rose to fame again winning the National Heads Up Poker Championship 2013 for $750,000. Matusow is infamous for his aggressive trash-talk at the table and can often be found taunting and mocking his opposition. This does not always work in his favour, as he is known to experience a ‘Mike Matusow Blow Up’, where one mistake can cost him all of his chips and hours of solid play.
Published 9 years ago
Mike Matusow Makes Big LaydownMike Matusow makes a big (and an odd) laydown in the WSOP Main Event
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Mike Matusow vs Karina Jett - Cold DeckMike Matusow gets a double up after hitting a great flop
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Gus Hansen Stories and Mike Matusow MistakePlayers exchanging some funny Gus Hansen stories & Mike makes a fold by mistake
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Mike Matusow Doubles RaymerGreg Raymer doubles through Mike Matusow
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Mike vs Mike - Sexton Makes Awesome Call against MatusowTwo Mikes clashing: Matusow owned by Sexton
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Hellmuth and Others Explain an Etiquette IssuePhill Hellmuth and others explaining a questionable etiquette situation in a hand between JRB and Hellmuth
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Phil Helmuth and Mike Matusow Chop One UpAn unusual agreement between the two players
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Daniel Negreanu - Tricky HandDaniel Negreanu walks you through his thought process in a tricky hand
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Pro Mistakes CompilationEven the most experienced sometimes make strange mistakes
Published 9 years ago
Mike Matusow Plays Big One against Daniel NegreanuDaniel Negreanu and Mike Matusow running into each other
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