Matt Graham Biography

Next time you go for your annual checkup, ask your doctor if they know UB pro Matt Graham. Not as in do they ‘know of' Matt Graham. We mean did they ever hang out with Matt Graham on a social basis. Odd question? We don't think so. You see there's a small but good chance they went to school with him.

No, your doctor didn't major in Texas Hold'em, Omaha or other poker games instead of medicine in university. That would just be crazy. And scary.

It's actually the other way around. Before launching his successful poker career, UltimateBet pro Matt Graham studied pre-med for three years in Connecticut.

So what prompted the man who always wanted to be a doctor and solve life's health problems to turn in his stethoscope for some poker chips? Perhaps it was a venture to Atlantic City while he was still in school that netted him $23,000. Or the fact that he did really well at the online poker tables on a consistent basis.

Whatever the reason, it was a great call.

Matt's composed playing style has led to a number of huge online poker and live game success stories. As of mid-2009, his career winnings had totaled nearly $2.5 million.

In 2009, the UltimateBet pro successfully crushed a field of 295 players in Event #40, a World Championship Pot-Limit Omaha event at the World Series of Poker, securing a first place prize of $679,379 and his second WSOP bracelet in just two years.

In 2008, Graham won his first WSOP bracelet when he took down the limit Hold'em Shootout event and pocketed more than $278,000. Other notable wins include the 2008 Five Diamond World Poker Classic and the 2008 World Poker Challenge.

We could go on and on about how he's achieved so much in such a short amount of time, but we thought we'd let Matt speak for himself through our 20 questions.

How did you become a professional poker pro?
I started playing SNGs and small limit cash games on UB and slowly worked my way up.

Did you struggle a lot at the beginning or were you a success right away?
It was slow at first, but I learned to beat the small stakes very quickly.

What style of play do you use at the table?
I am generally known as a very tight, solid player, but I mix it up when I need to.

Are you a better cash game player or tournament player?
I have played almost exclusively tournaments over the past few years so I am obviously way better at tournaments.

What do you consider the most significant differences between online and brick and mortar play from a strategic point of view?
Online you play a bit of a robotic style, whereas live you have one table to focus on and play solid fundamentally but can do some extra things based on your feel for the game you are in.

Who is your greatest role model and why?
Patrik Antonious. He is amazing at poker, has a gorgeous wife and seems to have pretty much everything a man could ask for.

What do you think you'll be doing in 20 years time?
Hopefully retired off of investments. Travel the world and play poker as a hobby.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That hard work pays off.

What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Always do what I believe is right

What is the one thing you'd like to do before you die?
I still need to skydive.

What do you think will happen to poker in the future?
This is pretty much impossible to predict, but if I had to guess I think pot limit Omaha will become the most popular game eventually.

What has been your poker highlight to date?
My first WSOP bracelet.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Winning the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.

Tell us about your greatest regret?
Getting a house in Las Vegas WITHOUT a pool in the back.

How does your tournament strategy differ between online and land-based play?
I play much tighter online than I do live. In live play you find much more weak opponents at high stakes so you can play more hands profitably.

Is there a specific routine you follow before a big game?
I don't really have a routine, but I do like to get a good night's sleep.

Who taught you the tricks of the game?
I sorta taught myself, but I have picked up some things here and there by reading some of the online poker forums.

When did you first realize you could be great at poker?
When I first started playing, I knew I could be very good at it. I had no clue I would end up where I am now though.

What is the best game of poker you have ever been involved in and why?
I played a home game at my manager's house back when I used to deliver pizza during summers. We had a good time and they were really, really bad. I think I made more in the game after work than I did at work. This was only a $0.50/$1 NL game so I only made 1 or 2 hundred each night but it was huge money to me at the time.

What top three tips would you give to amateur poker players hoping to make it as a poker professional?
Put in a ton of time, always study the game and be mentally prepared for bad runs.