Mike Matousov: 'I'm Happy with $400/$800 Stakes, Been Playing Them for 15 Years'

Mike Matousov, a seasoned poker player, has been content with playing at $400/$800 stakes for the past 15 years. He has had a notable career, with finishes in the top 30 of the main WSOP tournament in 2001, 2005, and 2008. In 2001, he finished 6th, in 2005 he finished 9th, and in 2008 he finished 30th.

Matousov's poker journey has not been without its challenges. In 2005, he was arrested on fabricated drug distribution charges, which he believes significantly impacted his career. He also lost his confidence in online poker due to Russ Hamilton's cheating scandal, where Hamilton used his rights as a consultant on Ultimate Bet to see his opponents' cards. Matousov was one of Hamilton's targets and lost a significant amount of money as a result.

Despite these setbacks, Matousov has had notable successes. He won $333,333 from Scottie Nguyen's WSOP 1998 main event win and $671,320 for finishing second in the WPT Bellagio Cup III in 2007. He has also won three WSOP bracelets in 1999, 2002, and 2008. However, he has expressed his disdain for the WSOP bracelets, stating that they are overrated and that anyone can win them. He also criticizes the WSOP for their greed, stating that they keep all the additional money earned from the tournaments.