"The Mouth" says what we're all thinking

Mike Matusow

For those of you who haven't heard yet, some of the World Series of Poker final tables will be taking place in a super-secret curtained-off area where nobody will be able to observe. One such table was Monday's $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em, won by Phil Hellmuth.

It was a history-making event as Hellmuth outlasted and outplayed a field of 2,628 players to win a record-making 11th bracelet. And nobody but a select, secret few got to see it live.

The event was earmarked for the special one-hour delayed, online pay-per-view broadcast, so it was sequestered behind black curtains.

There were more than a few upset fans at the Rio yesterday who wanted to watch the champ make history. There was lots of grumbling and questioning of the decision but it was Mike "The Mouth" Matusow who said what everyone really wanted to say.

Matusow came strolling over from the $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em event, where he was amassing an impressive chip stack, to see how his buddy was doing at the final table, only to be confronted by a view of black curtains and a fan who filled him in on the situation.

With words that really shouldn't be repeated, The Mouth let his opinion be known loud and clear about how ridiculous it is that people can't see Hellmuth win his 11th bracelet.

Later when his event went on break, he could be overheard saying about the sequestered final table, "I was so steamed about it, I tilted off $25,000."

To further emphasize his displeasure, Matusow yelled "Phil? Are you still alive in there Phil?" into the secluded final-table area on his way back from break.

He commented to some onlookers that he really would have liked to have seen Hellmuth play. It would have been a great - and noisy - showing of fan support for the Poker Brat.

Fortunately for Matusow, he got his emotions in check and managed to stop his chip leak. After a day of play, he's up near the top of the leaderboard for his event, along with Alex Outhred, Greg Mueller and Chad Brown.

Also still hanging in with the cash nearing for the top 99 players are Shawn Buchanon, David Pham, John Phan, Minh Ly, Lee Watkinson, Humberto Brenes, Billy Baxter and more.

Tune in to the Live Tournaments Section to see how the pros fare today and more than likely hear about another Matusow outburt.