Michael Matusow (born April 30, 1968 in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional poker player, residing in Henderson, Nevada. Matusow's nickname of "The Mouth" reflects his reputation for trash-talking at the poker table. He is also known for sometimes ruining hours or days of good play with a single misjudgment, (known as a "Mike Matusow Blow-up" or "Mike Matusow Meltdown").
Matusow began playing poker seriously in the early 1990s, first while working as a poker dealer, then as a professional player. His successes include being a four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, and the winner of the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.
Matusow's first experience of poker was playing video poker in the Maxim Casino at the age of 18, which he played regularly, to the extent that he suffered from repetitive strain injury in his shoulders and arms. He occasionally stole money from his mother's purse and at one point attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Matusow was taught Texas hold 'em in 1989 by a rounder named Steve Samaroff.
Allan Baillie (born 28 January 1943) is an Australian writer. He was born in Scotland, but moved with his family to Australia when he was seven. His first job was working as a Cadet Journalist then he began to work as a journalist working on papers such as the Melbourne Sun, The Telegraph and The Australian Women's Weekly having studied journalism at Melbourne University. Turning to literature his books include Adrift, Little Brother and The China Coin. He lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and two children.
Allan Baille was injured on 8 November 2010 when he was sucked down a pipe at a swimming pool near Sydney and discharged onto the beach. He was swimming laps at Bilgola Beach rock pool with his wife when a Pittwater Council worker opened a valve to drain the pool for cleaning. He intends to seek compensation.
we're all here. consumed with fear. compounded. a situation just like you. i cant look at you without seeing parts of myself. the farthest star in the sky. i can hear it. the best has yet to occur. i can feel it. sleep through the night. (i want to close my eyes) from street to street. (why me?) thoughts in your voice. (i can hear them) consumed with me. (i can hear them) sputtering and shifting. dont unlock the doors. theres potential in my weakness that i havent felt before.