Mike Matusow isn’t buying the Mike Postle cheating allegations. “The Mouth” apparently, believes it’s possible to almost never make an incorrect decision at the poker table. And maybe he’s right. Or, perhaps, he’s being naive.
Matusow isn’t the only poker player who believes in Postle’s innocence. Numerous Sacramento-area pros have come forward in defense of the accused cheater. But most players on Twitter, outside the Stones Gambling Hall community, aren’t buying the story. And that includes a prominent poker figure – Chris Moneymaker – who originally defended Postle.
Things aren’t looking good for Postle from a reputation standpoint, innocent or otherwise. But Matusow still has his back.
Matusow ‘Feels’ Like Mike Postle is Innocent
Maybe it’s Postle’s first name that has Matusow defending the accused cheater. Or, it could be the fact that both Mike’s seem to play a similar style, which is to use live reads, not game theory optimal (GTO) strategy, as their basis for making what they perceive to be the correct decision.
Matusow had some choice words on Twitter for those who have investigated Postle. Namely, Doug Polk and Joey Ingram.
What the fuck is wrong here bets 160 guy behind calls other guy jams by guy flatting behind he thinks he has a draw & other guy jams & his feel is set! In a real poker game when you have good feel it’s pretty easy fold! Gonna need a heck of a lot more proof than this #apostlegate https://t.co/YcMxxwgplS
— Mike Matusow (@themouthmatusow) October 3, 2019
Matusow knows a thing or two about making “live reads.” He openly denies the need for making sound decisions based on game theory. So, he may appreciate Postle’s apparent ability to make correct decisions without dissecting an opponent’s hand range. The only difference is that Matusow is, at times, wrong with his reads. Let’s take a look at an example of why live reads can’t always be trusted.
In the above YouTube clip, Mikey’s live read against Phil Hellmuth failed him miserably. That isn’t a knock on Matusow’s game. It happens to everyone at times (except Mike Postle?). He was one of the best no-limit hold ’em players during the “High Stakes Poker” show days. But, it goes to show, you can’t always trust your live reads because physical tells aren’t an exact science.
On the other hand, those who have viewed countless hours of Postle’s play – shout out to Joey Ingram – have yet to find any examples of where the accused cheater made an incorrect decision on the river. And that’s why many poker players believe he’s a cheater.
Moneymaker Changes Tone
When CardsChat initially spoke with Chris Moneymaker on Tuesday, he believed in Postle’s innocence. The 2003 WSOP Main Event champ has a lengthy history with Postle that dates back over a decade of playing against the alleged “Stones Live” cheater. The two battled numerous times on stream, and Moneymaker considered Postle a friend.
After watching more clips of hands that Postle played, however, Moneymaker has changed his tune. Though he hasn’t outright called Postle a cheater, he admits he doesn’t like the “look of things.”
Watched a lot poker videos today and feel yucky. I hope mike comes out with some good videos of his own but @Joeingram1 seems to be pretty thorough. Will sit on sidelines and watch as more information comes out. Still praying he is innocent but not liking the looks of things pic.twitter.com/2T6wBJeV31
— Chris Moneymaker ⭕ (@CMONEYMAKER) October 2, 2019
With Moneymaker now stepping out of Postle’s corner, it appears there are no big-name players who believe in his innocence. Or, at least none that are publicly coming forward. Well, except for Matusow.
