Check-Raising the Devil, by Mike Matusow – True Mike Review

The autobiography of one of the most explosive poker players of all times is very entertaining. The book was released back in 2012 and won the hearts of countless readers. Check Raising The Devil was written together with some professional writers, Tim Lavalli and Amy Calistri, and published by Cardoza Publishers. 

This book will make you believe that Mathew is a great poker player born with extraordinary gifts. He provides a detailed description of notable events that have taken place in his life, which has been portrayed like a roller coaster ride.

Summary

Matusow is introduced as a low-level employee in the family business in Nevada. The book begins in Matusow’s adulthood when he is in his twenties. He was living the life of a degenerate gambler living in a small trailer. Like any other gambler, Matusow also had a habit of depositing his savings in the casino industry.

My story starts in a trailer park out toward Boulder Highway, in a dead-end patch of Las Vegas where people never lived their dreams, if they even had any. There were old people living there, families with too many kids, and people who didn’t seem to be going anywhere in life. People like me, hanging out and chilling, wondering what their next move would be. I’d hang out with my dog, that is, until he died, and watched TV until I fell asleep. My meals were generally junk food or pizza, or I’d grab something at the Showboat or Sam’s Town, casinos where I tried to buy hope one quarter at a time.

When Matusow meets a local poker player, he starts working under him. Consequently, the player teaches him various poker strategies, and it doesn’t take much time for Matusow to realize that poker was, in all terms, better than other casino games. Hence he cracked all the poker strategies quickly and developed a great liking for the game. 

Detailed description of various poker events won by Matusow is mentioned in the book. During the late 90s, after working his way through the low stakes, Matusow moves to Vegas and California to play mid and high-stake games. Along with a decent amount of income, he also earned a name in the poker world. 

The success of this talented player continued for many years until he got charmed with parties and drugs. The story also tells how being a drug addict and party insect spoiled Matusow’s life. Check Raising The Devil serves as a cautionary tale for those who think drugs and parties won’t affect their lives. 

Praise and Criticism

It’s pretty interesting to read how somebody earning a tiny amount of money to sustain his life comes on the top of the poker world, earning enough to fulfill all his desires. One can not say that the book’s writing style is extraordinarily appealing, but it is a fun read for people who enjoy playing poker. 

Check Raising The Devil is quite engaging in terms of its plot. Because, the author goes deep into what he has done, in both good and bad aspects of his life, and how he simultaneously fits into the poker world. Therefore, if you are a poker fanatic, you should consider having this book in your library. 

Recommendation

Although the text fails to justify some things and events, for example taking drugs during WSOP, it is still an entertaining piece. 

The book will alert you about the ill-effect that one can have due to excessive parties and drug abuse. After seeing what Matusow has been through and who he is as an individual, it’s easy to form a positive opinion about him and become his fan.

I highly recommend it to all the poker fanatics who are fond of party too.