Mike Matusow: "Check-Raising the Devil"

Mike Matusow’s recently published autobiography “Check-Raising the Devil” brings an intimate look on his life to the world. Written with the help of Tim Lavalli and Amy Calistri, he hides nothing and reveals everything.

Mike Matusow (pictured right) is one of the best poker players in the world, but things were not always looking good for the three-time bracelet winner who had a dangerous walk to the top.

Starting from a trailer park and working in his family’s furniture store, Matusow fought his way into the poker world while at the same time struggling with his sports gambling addiction as well as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). On the list of Matusow’s troubles, the deepest pitfall was usage of drugs and spending six-months in jail.

"I found out the hard way that drugs can cause brain damage. They can change the wiring in your brain. After you stop, some of that wiring changes back over time, but some of it never returns," wrote Matusow in his recently published autobiography "Check-Raising the Devil".