Stacking Up Against Odds Is El Matador - Carlos Mortensen Poker Fan

Stacking Up Against Odds Is El Matador

As one of the most feared players on the felt, Carlos Mortensen has spent years building a reputation that would disarm a confident opponent. Moreover, indeed, with a nickname like El Matador, opponents are sure to be a bit scared when they know they would face a fan that has two World Series of Poker bracelets. Aside from the nickname, Carlos' playing style is also very intimidating. His brave bluffs and intense strategy tests even the nerves of steel. As one of the biggest names in poker, Carlos Mortensen has a lot of bite to back up his bark.
El Matador was born in Ambato, Ecuador in 1972. He was Juan Carlos Mortensen but he decided to drop the Juan from his name when he went to the United States in the late 90s. His mother is Spanish while his Danish father held a diplomat post and owned farm lands in Ecuador. When Carlos was 15, the family moved to Madrid, Spain where Carlos studied and worked. He was a bartender when he learned about the excitement and frustration that comes with a poker game. While waiting for his wife, a group of men asked him to join them in a game. Carlos, a rookie, was no match for them and he lost $100 in the game. That night, Carlos did not sleep and thought of how he went wrong and analyzed his playing strategy. Even then, Carlos showed the same tenacity and dedication to excelling in a game as he does now.
He broke out in 2001 where he trumped three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Dewey Tomko in the final round. Not only did El Matador beat his first professional opponent in a final match, he also won his first WSOP bracelet. Aside from the bracelet, Carlos took home $1.5 million. It was from here that El Matador tamed even the brashest and bravest of opponents.
In World Poker Tour's fifth season, Carlos won a seat in the final table. Then, in one fell swoop, he won almost $4 million and the championship. It was here when Carlos won his second WSOP bracelet. Aside from this, he also got the prestige as the only man who was able to win both a title in the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. From here on, El Matador became the stuff of legend new poker players' dream of becoming someday.
With Carlos' aggression and loose play not waning over the years, it is understandable that the man does not want to retire early. With skills and strategy like his, who would think of stopping when winning? With this, El Matador continues to be a fixture in professional poker, striking fear and awe in hearts of fans as well as opponents. In case you face him on the green felt, try not to let the fear get to you. Also, try not to let his pyramid stack of poker chips intimidate you into submission.