In re Matusow

To follow up on Pooh's post re: Matusow, I'm torn as to how I feel regarding Matusow making the final table.

On one hand, Matusow provides a certain level of entertainment value that most of the other guys at the final table won't. Also, it is good to see at least one pro make it to the final table. I think Matusow might be good for the game in the sense that his personality can entertain people on TV and draw more players in. He's also poker's version of the wrestling heel - the guy everyone loves to hate. That should be good for the overall popularity of the game on TV.

On the other hand, I can't stand his antics, and it would suck if more players start acting out in live games. It is bad enough in online poker where players say things they'd never say when the other person is face to face with them, but that thing tends to bleed into the live games, and if Matusow becomes an idol, we'll see more and more idiot 21-year olds trying to needle everyone at their 2-4 table. It's great if it doesn't bother anyone, but I have a feeling such behavior will drive away a lot of players that show up just looking to have some fun playing cards, i.e., the people that throw their money away because they want to play in every hand, i.e., the people I like to see at my table.

Returning to the positive part of Matusow's presence, once the final table gets down to three players, the action could grind to a complete halt. Based on what I've read about how he played/acted late last night, he may be the only one willing to force the action in the game. The others may be content to just wait for ultra-premium hands, especially if my suspicion that the stacks of the final 2-3 players are huge relative to the final level of blinds is confirmed. They could just happily trade blinds/antes for hours while they wait for AA, KK, and maybe QQ. I think Matusow would play more aggressively.

As to his personality outside of the table, Matusow said the following semi-redemptive things in an interview last night:

- "I'm never gonna play any big pots. I've watched a lot of pros today that I was very disappointed with - just playing huge pots; you don't need to play huge pots against these people."

- "I know [Phil Ivey] played bad [today]. Everytime I looked he was playing a two million pot. I mean, why does a guy with his greatness have to be playing huge pots?"

- "I'm a little upset at what happened to Raymer. That's just the sickest thing I've ever heard. I mean a guy worked so hard to get this far with a shot to defend his championship and some idiot loses his mind and tries his hardest to go broke. I think that bothers me more than anything. ... How about throwing your hand away when you flop no pair/no draw, has that ever come into your mind?"