It’s not hard to recognize a poker pro like Mike “The Mouth” Matusow; although, you may likely hear him before you see him. Matusow, nicknamed “The Mouth”, is one of the most vocal, entertaining and experienced players around. Matusow, who has close to $7 million in tournament winnings, is a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, and the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions winner. When Matusow sat down with me, he was more than happy to share his uninhibited charisma and advice for new poker players.
PokerBrit: What advice would you give a brand new player?
Mike “The Mouth” Matusow: The main advice I like to give to new players is to play solid cards and stay patient. You don’t need to bluff. You can learn to bluff later on, but basically stay fundamentally solid and wait to pick up cards and for people to give them your money.
PB: So, new players should stay tight?
MM: Yes, I play tight. You stay tight until you pick the right table where other players are playing tight, and then you loosen up.
PB: What’s the most common mistake you see a new player making?
MM: They think their getting bluffed. So, they call off their chips and they don’t fold.
PB: What tools would you recommend a new player to use to learn the game?
MM: Put in hours, play lots and lots of hours. The more hours you play the better you get.
According to Matusow, playing premium hands and learning the discipline of being patient is essential for new poker players. Generally, new players need to consider position when deciding whether they have a premium hand or not. Most new players get too excited about playing and want to get in on the action, even when their hands aren’t ideal. Remember to be patient. The premium hand is coming; you just have to wait for it. You’ll last longer in the game and make more money in the end if you make yourself fold weak hands. Learning to be patient is one of the first goals a new player should focus on.
Matusow’s bluffing advice is essential for new players. Do not make a call just because you believe you are being bluffed. If you are playing tight, you should wait for your spot, when you know you have the best hand, to put your chips in the pot. Bluffing and knowing when you are being bluffed is a tricky and advanced skill that most new players will acquire over time and shouldn’t practice in the beginning.
To watch the entire poker strategy interview with Mike “The Mouth” Matusow, and more footage of poker pros giving me key advice, visit www.SpadeClub.com/community, and click on the “video” tab.
Sensuelo
Mike "The Mouth" Matusow has earned his nickname tenfold. If you ever get a chance to sit at a table with him, you will realize within minutes why he is called "The Mouth".
The televised episodes of the main event of the WSOP focus on Mike a lot. He went to battle several times with Greg Raymer in 2004 and didn't fair well against him. He talked some trash to Greg and when he tried to shake Greg's hand a short time later, Greg refused. Mike also did an interview that year where he talks about