The enduring $25,000 Nationwide Heads-Up Poker Championship is again as 64 celebrities, entrepreneurs and poker gamers will compete for the championship title inside PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.
These competing within the occasion embrace heads-up finish bosses Doug Polk and Phil Galfond, new college poker gamers Alan Keating and Tyler Montoya, old-fashioned legends Erick Lindgren and Andrew Robl, celebrities Richard Seymour and Rob Riggle, and former champions Erik Seidel and Mike Matusow, who gained the final version of the occasion in 2013 for $750,000.
PokerNews caught up with the four-time bracelet winner forward of the primary spherical to speak about getting an opportunity to defend his title 12 years later.
PokerStars and PokerGO are Bringing Again the Nationwide Heads-Up Poker Championship
Matusow Remembers Time He “Outplayed” Hellmuth
Matusow’s odds of defending his title might have narrowed as he was matched towards high-stakes crusher Stephen Chidwick within the first spherical. Matusow has had so much to say concerning the excessive curler circuit as of late, however he had nothing however reward and respect for his opponent.
“After I talked concerning the excessive curler circuit, Stephen Chidwick was not included in there,” Matusow informed PokerNews. “He is a man that does all of it from nothing.”
Matusow has confronted powerful early match-ups earlier than and lived to inform the story. In 2013, he confronted reigning WSOP Major Occasion champion Michael Mizrachi within the first spherical.
“After I gained in 2013, I type of had a dream I used to be going to win and I did. I drew Grinder first spherical and Viktor Blom the second spherical, and Viktor was the very best heads-up participant on the planet in 2013. After which I beat (Scott) Seiver in an epic semi-final after which beat Phil Hellmuth within the finals. And he nonetheless brings it up how I ‘bought so fortunate.’ I used to be within the zone. I type of outplayed him.”
“I actually am in an excellent psychological spot immediately. I am ready and hopefully the playing cards run my manner. You are going to want a whole lot of luck to win, I’ve a method in thoughts. I hope it really works.”
Spades Bracket
The primary-round matchups have been set on Thursday contained in the PokerGO Studio, and PokerNews was on-site as Jeff Platt introduced the bracket formations.
The primary rounds are going down in PokerGO Studio on Friday, whereas subsequent rounds will happen on Aug. 2-3. Outcomes will not be aired till later this yr when episodes premiere on Peacock.
The primary quadrant to play would be the Spades bracket, which incorporates 2011 champion Erik Seidel up towards money sport crusher Andrew Robl. The 2 confronted off within the semifinals greater than a decade in the past and Robl will now search revenge as Seidel appears to defend his title.
In the meantime, Robl’s good friend Phil Galfond will face off with film producer Dylan Flashner, whereas one other money sport specialist, Matt Berkey, will go towards professional footballer Richard Seymour.
Different matchups within the Spades bracket embrace Jasper versus Marius Gierse, latest million-dollar bounty winner Tyler Montoya and entrepreneur Jason Calacanis, Kasey Lyn Mills versus Esther Taylor, Matthew “Hanks” Honig versus actor Rob Riggle and psychology creator Maria Konnikova towards actuality TV star Boston Rob Mariano.
Tyler Montoya vs. Jason CalacanisErik Seidel vs. Andrew RoblRichard Seymour vs. Matt BerkeyJasper vs. Marius GiersePhil Galfond vs. Dylan FlashnerKasey Lyn Mills vs. Esther TaylorMatthew “Hanks” Honig vs. Rob RiggleMaria Konnikova vs. Boston Rob
Golf equipment Bracket
Headlining the Golf equipment Bracket shall be old-fashioned legend Phil Laak towards Desk 1 Podcast host Justin Younger, whereas TV author Matt Salsberg will go up towards YouTuber Johnnie Vibes.
In the identical bracket, Hustler On line casino Stay’s Ryan Feldman will face off towards high-stakes professional Sean Winter, whereas PokerStars Ambassador Jason Koon is up towards Erick “E-Canine” Lindgren.
The Golf equipment Bracket additionally consists of Brazil God versus Nacho Barbero, Poker Corridor of Famer Brian Rast versus Ren Lin and Sam Soverel versus Jonathan Jaffe.
Brazil God vs. Nacho BarberoJustin Younger vs. Phil LaakBrian Rast vs. Ren LinMatt Salsberg vs. Johnnie VibesSam Soverel vs. Jonathan JaffeSean Winter vs. Ryan FeldmanChino Rheem vs. Nick WrightErick Lindgren vs. Jason Koon
Hearts Bracket
The Hearts Bracket will see defending champion Matusow compete towards Stephen Chidwick, in addition to all-time cash chief Bryn Kenney up towards investor Vinny Lingham and Jesse Lonis is up towards Kristen Foxen.
The Hearts Bracket additionally consists of Keith Lehr towards influencer Bryce Corridor, Frank Crivello towards The Problem host TJ Lavin, Justin Gavri towards heads-up crusher John Smith, 2023 WSOP Participant of the Yr Scott Seiver towards Chef Phillip, and dwell stream king Garrett Adelstein towards Frank Brannan.
Bryn Kenney vs. Vinny LinghamJesse Lonis vs. Kristen FoxenKeith Lehr vs. Bryce HallFrank Crivello vs. TJ LavinScott Seiver vs. Chef PhillipMike Matusow vs. Stephen ChidwickJustin Gavri vs. John SmithFrankie Brannan vs. Garrett Adelstein
Diamonds Bracket
The Diamonds Bracket will see reigning WSOP POY Shaun Deeb up towards stream celebrity Alan Keating, in addition to content material creator Doug Polk up towards Xuan Liu and Liv Boeree towards actor Kevin Pollak.
Igor Kurganov will face off with 2003 WSOP Major Occasion champion Chris Moneymaker, whereas Dan “Jungleman” Cates will battle with Charlie Hook.
The Diamonds Bracket additionally consists of PokerGO founder Cary Katz versus 2021 WSOP POY Josh Arieh, Victoria Livschitz versus 2004 Major Occasion runner-up David Williams and 3Coin’s Randy Sadler towards reigning Major Occasion champion Michael Mizrachi.
Kevin Pollak vs. Liv BoereeAlan Keating vs. Shaun DeebChris Moneymaker vs. Igor KurganovXuan Liu vs. Doug PolkDan “Jungleman” Cates vs. Charlie HookVictoria Livschitz vs. David Williams3Coin vs. Michael MizrachiCary Katz vs. Josh Arieh
Beforehand on NBC, the PokerStars-sponsored Nationwide Heads-Up Poker Championship will seem solely on Peacock later this yr and can air on PokerGO starting in 2026. Earlier seasons of the enduring poker present will begin airing on PokerGO on Monday, Aug. 4.
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
