How Ian Matakis became the breakout star of this year’s WSOP
The original plan for Ian Matakis this summer was to play at the World Series of Poker in addition to The Venetian and Wynn Las Vegas.
But all that went out the window after Matakis won his first career WSOP tournament early in the series.
The resident of Faribault, Minnesota, has been the breakout star of the summer with 18 cashes and leads a handful of big-name poker pros in the race for player of the year.
“As soon as I saw I was at the top of the leaderboard for player of the year, I’ve kind of changed my plans in that sense and I’ve stuck just to WSOP events ever since then,” Matakis said. “It’s been amazing. It’s going very well.”
Matakis learned poker from his sister more than 15 years ago and played on the side while he attended the University of Minnesota.
But he dropped out during the second semester of his junior year and has played professionally for the past five years, mostly grinding online.
“Any time there’s good stuff live I travel for it,” the 25-year-old said.
Most of Matakis’ early results came at Mid-States Poker Tour events, and he had a solid showing in the 2020 WSOP online to help build his bankroll. During the 2022 WSOP online series, Matakis cashed 13 times.
This summer, Matakis claimed his first WSOP bracelet, which are awarded to tournament winners, in the $500 buy-in No-limit Hold’em Bankroll Builder online event. He went on to final table at another online event and added a ninth-place finish in the $50,000 High Roller Pot-limit Omaha event for $199,275, his largest career live tournament cash.
Of Matakis’ $865,568 career earnings at the WSOP, 75 percent came at this year’s series ($656,221).
“The notoriety is good for my coaching, I would say,” Matakis said. “I’ve had a few people approach me. I was coaching beforehand anyways, but now a few extra people want it.”
Matakis owned a comfortable lead in the player of the year standings, which had not been updated through Thursday. Josh Arieh was projected to move into second place after winning his second bracelet of the series and sixth overall.
Double bracelet winner Chris Brewer and 2018 player of the year Shaun Deeb also remain within striking distance.
However, Matakis was one of the chip leaders late Thursday in the $3,000 buy-in Six-Handed Pot-limit Omaha event with two tables left and could wrap up the award with another victory.
“I’m striving for it for sure. It would be fantastic,” Matakis said. “There’s a bunch of legends who have had this feat in the past and to join them would be awesome.”
Matakis’ success has bankrolled him for more events with bigger buy-ins such as the Triton High Roller Series. But first he is eager to return to Minnesota for a break.
“I’m looking into some other events potentially after (the WSOP),” Matakis said. “I’m going to take a little time off after the series and enjoy some time with some family and friends.”
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.
WSOP Main Event
What: $10,000 buy-in No-limit Hold'em World Championship
When: Through Monday
Where: Horseshoe Las Vegas
Streaming: PokerGO (subscription required)
Rast selected for Hall of Fame
Brian Rast was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Rast is a six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner with more than $25 million in live tournament earnings and a renowned high-stakes cash game player.
He was elected by the living Hall of Fame members and is the 62nd person to be enshrined. The WSOP unveiled Rast's photo at a new exhibit inside poker room at Horseshoe Las Vegas with several hall of fame members present.
"For some of the greatest players who have ever played to say, 'Hey, you're one of us. Welcome to the club,' it's just very gratifying and satisfying," Rast said.
Rast captured the WSOP $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship last month, joining Michael Mizrachi as the only players to win the prestigious tournament three times.
His biggest victory came in the Super High Roller Bowl in 2015 for $7.525 million.
Rast is credited as the only player to earned more than $1 million in tournaments for seven straight years.
"I've really cared over my life about getting better at poker and playing my best," Rast said. "I guess (the hall of fame is) something that was always bit of a goal or a dream, kind of the last thing to do for recognition for what I've done."
— David Schoen/Review-Journal
