Every poker club has its characters, but few bring as much personality, history, and unforgettable hands to the table as Matt, better known to his peers at the Loose Cannon Poker Club as “BigBentz.” Though he humbly claims he has no nickname, the moniker has stuck, fitting for a man whose poker life reads like a blockbuster movie.
A Prison Card Shark in the Making
For Matt, poker wasn’t just a game; it was an escape. “I honestly got into poker when I was in prison,” he recalls. “It was something to do to pass the time that didn’t get loud and draw attention, unlike Spades or Dominos.” The quiet strategy and subtle mind games of poker suited him, and it didn’t take long for the deck to become his weapon of choice.
A Phil Ivey Fanboy
When asked about his favorite player, Matt doesn’t hesitate. “Phil Ivey,” he says with a grin. “He’s just methodical when he’s at the tables.” It’s easy to see the influence of Ivey in Matt’s own game: patient, calculating, but ready to pounce when the opportunity arises.
The Double Board Bombpot King
Matt’s preferred battlefield? PLO4 double-board bombpots. “It has to be DB BP every hand, or it just doesn’t feel right,” he says with a laugh. “If I can’t get action there, you’ll find me at an NLH bombpot table.” For him, it’s all about the thrill of the chips flying.
Whether online or in-person, Matt adapts seamlessly. “Online, I love the speed and the ability to multi-table,” he says. “But there’s nothing better in-person than scooping a huge pile of chips, tipping the dealer, and stacking your new-found wealth at your own pace.” Of course, composure is key. “The hardest part? Keeping it together after a bad beat. Let’s just say I’m still working on that.”
The Art of the Bluff
Matt’s strategy is as much about perception as precision. “I intentionally get caught bluffing sometimes,” he explains. “It keeps opponents thinking I bluff a lot. The next time I’m in that spot, I’ve got the nuts to show.” It’s a calculated game of cat and mouse, and Matt loves being the one holding the cheese.
The Hand That Made History
Every poker player has that one hand that stands out above the rest. For Matt, it happened at a $2/$5 cash table at Foxwoods. Sitting down with $500, he faced a loud-mouthed bully with $10k in front of him. After enduring the man’s relentless aggression, Matt’s moment came.
With 8♠ and 9♣ on the button, he called a $275 preflop bet. The flop? 5-6-7 rainbow—the perfect setup. By the time the pot reached over $2,000, Matt found himself all-in against AA and a set of sixes. When the river delivered an ace, giving him the straight and crushing his opponent’s overconfidence, Matt couldn’t contain his excitement. “I scooped more money than a 23-year-old kid should be allowed to,” he laughs. “I cashed out just shy of $9,500, tipped the dealer $500, and treated my friends to breakfast and bottomless Bloody Marys.”
The Highs and Lows of the Game
Matt’s poker journey isn’t without its peaks and valleys. “The biggest pot I’ve ever won was somewhere in the $125k range,” he shares. But the other side of the coin? “The biggest losing session was around $750k. It was not a good day.” His candor and humor make it clear that while the money matters, it’s the stories and lessons that stick.
Folding Aces for $500
One of Matt’s funniest table tales involves folding pocket aces preflop—on the first hand of a big tournament, no less. “Four players shoved all-in before me,” he says. “I tapped my buddy behind me and asked how much he’d pay me to fold. He said there’s no way I’d do it. So I announced, ‘I fold,’ and flipped over my aces.” The decision paid off when two of the players turned over hands that would have beaten him. His friend handed him $500 and even had a shirt made commemorating the moment.
Lessons from the Table
Despite his larger-than-life persona, Matt is quick to offer sage advice to new players. “Study bankroll management,” he emphasizes. “And keep track of your wins and losses. It’s more important than most players realize.”
As for rituals or superstitions? “I don’t pay them much mind. They’re just distractions.” And regrets? “None,” he says firmly. “I’ve played against my heroes, lived the VIP life, and checked off my bucket list. I have zero regrets.”
A Straight Flush to Remember
Even Husselbeck, the host of Loose Cannon Poker’s Pokerrrr2 Club ‘P2 REDDIT,’ has managed to leave his mark on Matt. “He’s the lucky bastard who beat my straight flush with a higher straight flush,” Matt says, shaking his head. “I handle bad beats like an adolescent child. I yell, I swear, I curse your ancestors… you know, the normal stuff.”
The Legend of BigBentz
From teaching countless players the game (only for them to use his secrets against him) to racking up more stories than most poker veterans, Matt’s journey is one for the ages. His username—BigBentz on ClubGG or Jurri Tarded elsewhere—has become synonymous with fearless play, larger-than-life moments, and the kind of humor that keeps poker rooms alive.
When asked about the best poker movie, his response is immediate. “If anyone answers with anything except Rounders, they’re too young and probably listen to shitty music.”
And that, in a nutshell, is BigBentz: a player, a storyteller, and a legend in his own right.