Mike Matusow biography
Mike Matusow was born on April 30, 1968, and began seriously playing poker in the early 1990s after working as a dealer, going on to win four WSOP gold bracelets across a variety of formats between 1999 and 2013. Nicknamed "The Mouth" for his outspoken, often combative trash-talking at the table, Matusow became one of the most recognizable and polarizing personalities of the poker boom era.
His career has also been shaped by well-documented off-table struggles: in the mid-2000s he was arrested following a Las Vegas Metro Police sting operation for providing ecstasy and prescription painkillers to an undercover officer, ultimately accepting a plea deal that included six months at the Clark County Detention Center. He returned to the game and continued competing at a high level, amassing career live tournament earnings exceeding $10 million, including more than $3.5 million from WSOP events alone.
Matusow, who is Jewish, resides in Henderson, Nevada.
Career summary
"The Mouth," a four-time WSOP bracelet winner and poker boom-era personality known equally for his trash-talk and well-documented off-table legal troubles.
Mike Matusow poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | WSOP $5,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Betterbracelet | 1st | $266,503 |
| 2008 | WSOP $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw with Rebuysbracelet | 1st | $537,862 |
| 2002 | WSOP $5,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Betterbracelet | 1st | $148,520 |
| 1999 | WSOP $3,500 No-Limit Hold'embracelet | 1st | $265,475 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $10,000,000+, plus 4 WSOP bracelets.
Mike Matusow playing style
An aggressive, emotionally expressive player whose relentless table talk and combative demeanor are as much a part of his game as his technical skill.
Cash games
A well-known figure in Las Vegas high-stakes cash games throughout his career, in addition to his tournament success.
Business & sponsorships
No major publicly known business ventures outside of poker.
Mike Matusow Net Worth
As of November 2026, Mike Matusow net worth estimates range from $3 million to $5 million.
Verified live tournament earnings account for $10M of prize money. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Mike matters
"The Mouth," the trash-talking four-time WSOP bracelet winner whose off-table legal troubles have been as widely discussed as his poker success.
FAQ about Mike Matusow
How did Mike Matusow get the nickname "The Mouth"?
It reflects his reputation for relentless trash-talking at the poker table.
How many WSOP bracelets has Mike Matusow won?
Four, won between 1999 and 2013 across different poker variants.
How much has Mike Matusow won playing poker?
Mike Matusow has won $10,000,000+ in live tournament earnings.