Mike Matusow places 3rd in the Tournament of Champions

Demonstrating twice now in as many weeks that he is a contender this year, Mike placed third in the WSOP Tournament of Champions. This was the third year that the TOC was held and as most know, Matusow won the title last year after making the final table of the 2005 WSOP Main Event and cashing out for 1 million dollars. Mike certainly hoped to win back to back TOC titles but with a field of 27 of the best in the world, he shouldn't be upset over his 3rd place finish, which netted him a $250,000 pay day.

Mike Sexton, who went on to win the event was responsible for taking Mike out. After about 9 hours of final table play and with only Mike Matusow, Daniel Negreanu, and Mike Sexton remaining the following hand went down:

With the blinds at 5-10K and 1K antes, Daniel raised to 25K on the button. Mike Sexton called from the small blind and looking down at A 4 off-suit "The Mouth" went all in for 170K. Daniel quickly folded and Mike Sexton called holding pocket 7's. With the board reading K J 3 4 6 Mike Matusow didn't improve his hand and was eliminated in third place.

Again, no meltdown followed as he gracefully shook hands with the remaining players and left the final table. I personally think Mike is in the zone right now and if he can continue playing with this intensity, I feel that he will mow through this years WSOP fields and perhaps be the top winnings earner for 2006. So there you have it, my prediction right now on June 27, 2006. Let's wait a few weeks and see if I'm right!

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