Mike Matasow

[Teacake]

Is he the most controversial player in poker?

I can't stand his antics but I can't help feeling a grudging admiration at the same time.
He was totally out of order with Raymer in last years WSOP main event but Greg handled the situation brilliantly (you can't do any better than goin on to win the damn thing).Surely these two must have crossed swords in the last couple of days, if so does anyone know what happened?

As much as I love seeing Matasow lose, I do quite enjoy watching him play.
There must be some guys on here who have played  against "the mouth".
Any details or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[snoopy1239]

Just to continue from the other thread in the 'update' section, I love watching Matasow. Okay, sometimes he does go to far, but he's probably the most entertaining guy there. All sports/games prosper from having a bad boy in the mix. Would Tennis have been the same without Mcenroe, football without Vinny Jones, basketball without Rodman, etc. I love having characters in the game, if only to spice things up a bit. Do you really prefer to watch 10 players sitting in silence?

[Maroon]

I respect your view Snoopy and from a marketing man's point of view he's probably a dream.  I personally would prefer to see 10 guys like Raymer, Lederer, Ivey etc mixing it with their cards/skill than with their mouth.

McEnroe's skill is undeniable but I think his behaviour was disgusting and brought the game down.  Don't watch footy or basketball so can't comment.

I suppose it depends what you want from your sport.  I prefer to apreciate the player's skill not his mental state.  One man's meat and all that. 

[redsimon]

Just to continue from the other thread in the 'update' section, I love watching Matasow. Okay, sometimes he does go to far, but he's probably the most entertaining guy there. All sports/games prosper from having a bad boy in the mix. Would Tennis have been the same without Mcenroe, football without Vinny Jones, basketball without Rodman, etc. I love having characters in the game, if only to spice things up a bit. Do you really prefer to watch 10 players sitting in silence?

A lot of this "bad boy" stuff is hyped up to attract viewers on TV.

[Bongo]

I saw a cardplayer interview with Raymer (the one with the bluff, maybe?) and they asked him about matusow. he said something like "I'm sure they'll be more incidents that ESPN can edit to suit them".

[phinnies1]

Although I am not a huge Matisow fan due to the fact he can take it too far I appreciate his style. If only he could be a bit more like Marcel Luske than Phil Helmuth.
After all, I prefer his character traits than someone like Ivey who although being brilliant as a poker player might as well be a robot, no flair or personality. More like a Steven Hendry or a Shcumacher.

[TightEnd]

I agree that Matusow's behave is both exaggerated by editing for TV and last year he can't have been that mentally stable ahead of his incarceration. That said I have infinite respect for someone like Ivey who shys away from publicity, kills the Big game, consistently finishes high in the money on a far more limited tournament schedule than some, and to me represents the "anti-Negraneau"-in respect of the type who endlessly court self-promotion

If Ivey was as comfortable in front of the cameras as some, he would be the ultimate selling proposition...more like a Tiger Woods than a Schumacher. That he isn't, and doesn't seem to care, simply adds to his aura

I have a lot of time for Raymer too, who I met once and is a lovely guy and a terific big stack player. I like the fact that he has gone deep this year to silence those who thought last year was a fluke

[RED-DOG]

I dont like anyone that doesn't treat others with respect, weather its for publicity, or showmanship or what.
 
If I had been the dealer that he threw the cards at I would have dropped to the floor in agony, holding my eye.
Enter Robert HM with huge lawsuit

[londonpokergirl]

Greg Raymer is a gentleman, met him out in monte carlo and very sociable guy, and I think last year he played well contrary to what a lot of people said about him, hope he wins again

Matusow is just a "gobby git" and a big wind-up merchant, if he loses a pot he strops worse than my 1year old boy.  I can honestly say it might be an all action table , but would you want to play on his table???

If he had thrown cards at any of my dealers he would have had a penalty away from the table to make him learn.

Good luck to all players today though

[snoopy1239]

For all his negative traits, I do think 'the Mouth' has some admirable qualities. His will to win is astonishing and the passion he has for the game is quite evident. He certainly wears his heart on his sleeve, and although I acknowledge that his behaviour can be unacceptable at times, his clear love of the game seems to endear me to him. How many people have cried on tv after going out of a tournament? Sometimes I wonder if Ivy has ever shed a tear, or displayed any kind of emotion for that matter. However, I do not wish to continue berating a player's style. Each to their own as they say.

 

[claypole]

I think alot of his antics are for the camera - I bumped into him a couple of times away from the table and he didnt seem as much of an idiot...

....anyway, Conner will kick his American butt later!!!   

[Robert HM]

Enter Robert HM with huge lawsuit

"Writs "R" us" My card sir!

My worth is the Mouth is a character but so is Marcel Luske and I would say the latter is far better for the game and a joy to watch.

[tikay]

There are any number of ways we can be interesting or pleasurable company at the poker table, without mouthing off Matusow style.

Just because he's rude does not make him interesting.

[Teacake]

To be fair Tikay the guy certainly creates interest & 2 WSOP Main Event final tables cant be argued with.

I can see where Snoopys coming from about about his passion for the game & will to win but I get the feeling that this is ultimately whats stopping him from winning more than he should.

Conversely you could say that its this attitude that gets him into good positions deep in tournaments & he's also played in the highest stakes cash games for a long period of time.

 

[wsopin07]

Well I have to say that I showed some of these "issues" on the way to my first WSOP bracelet this year!  I get very involved at times and I am sure I have people that do not like some of my table talk or actions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am ultra competitive, I must win, I have to use everything I know to win (I will never cheat).

I try never to get personal, but at times it happens!

After a comp I will always be the 1st person to buy you a beer, but in the heat of the action all is fair in love and war (w/in the rules)

I yelled, ran around tables, asked a guy "who's your daddy now", but I also had a beer w/ John Gale after the "war" was over and I expect to have dinner w/ John and his wife while in London. It is a competitive thing this poker, if you are happy w/ your own behavior at the end od the day that is all that matters to me!

How cockey can I be? I had WSOPin05, and I just took WSOPin06 because I will go back and repeat again next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

If you dont like it you can always take up sewing or basket weaving so you dont get your poor feelings hurt!!!!

I guess its a case by case thing when you are at the table in the heat of the moment. You will understand more after my event aires on ESPN in Sept.

The Rookie