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INTERVIEW with Adrián Mateos - A Journey of Passion, Risk, and Success
Adrian, you were only 16 when you discovered the poker on TV. You quickly fell in love with the game and you shifted your focus from high school studies to learning about poker. What motivated you to shift entire focus to poker? What thoughts drove you toward playing poker?
Yeah, when I discovered poker, I really enjoyed it. My background is in high-level tennis, so I understood that to become a professional, I needed to focus entirely on one thing. If I wanted to play poker at a high level, I would have to move from Spain. So, at 18, I decided to relocate to London, leaving my family behind to pursue my dream. I dedicated myself fully, quitting my studies to become the best poker player I could be.
Did you know for certain that this was your life’s path?
When I discovered poker, I fell in love with it because it combines everything I enjoy: strategy, money, competition, and mental challenges. I told myself that I needed to excel at it. I put in the effort, and my early results were impressive, which made me feel I had a real talent for the game. I realized that if I worked harder than my opponents, I could become a great player.
What about your family and surrounding? Was it difficult for you and for them?
At the beginning it was big surprise for my family. For my mum and dad was not happy moment when I decided to move to London. It was a lot of pressure on myself. They trust me even when they were not happy with my decision, they tried to support and try to talk every day. And nowadays they are my biggest fans.
What kind of learning strategy have you chosen, have you changed the strategy during your carrer?
When I sit at the poker table, I don’t rely on a fixed strategy; I keep an open mind. My approach really depends on the players I’m up against. My goal is to play each hand to the best of my ability. Sometimes I can be quite aggressive, while other times I might play very tight, depending on the stage of the tournament and my opponents. It may sound simple, but in reality, it’s quite challenging.
In 19 years you won the Main event WSOPE for 1,000,000€. What impact did winning at such a young age have on you? Maybe about emotions, perceiving the life.
I felt incredibly happy. Normally, when I play at the highest level, I don’t feel nervous because I’m really focused on my decisions. However, I remember that tournament was special; it gave me both the confidence and the financial means to pursue my dreams. It was one of the most important tournaments of my career. I believe I performed exceptionally well, despite having less experience than my opponents, and I’m proud of what I achieved.
Do you remember the most difficult time in your career?
The turning point came in 2017 when I became a bit too relaxed. I didn’t study as much as I used to, and with more money, I let my guard down. Even though I didn’t lose a lot, I made some poor financial decisions outside of poker, which made it a challenging year for me. However, I emerged from that experience much stronger and now make better decisions. It was a necessary lesson, and I realized how crucial it is to stay focused in such a highly competitive environment. This year, I can confidently say it's the best year of my career, but I know I need to keep working hard, even when things are going well.
How do you balance relaxing and learning?
I’m still learning how to find balance. To be honest, there isn’t much time to relax. In the summer, I try to take a month off to spend time with my friends, family, and loved ones, enjoying the nice weather together. That’s something I really cherish. Additionally, throughout the year, I make sure to take a few days or even a week off to unwind.
Main Event EPT, Main Event partypoker Millions or 4 WSOP bracelets? Which tournament win or title means the most to you?
These titles hold great significance for me, especially the EPT, which has been my dream since I was 16. I watched all the EPT events, studying the players and their strategies to learn from them. The EPT is the best tournament in the world, so winning it is a huge achievement for me. The Party Poker Millions was also incredibly important because it marked the end of a challenging period when I had been struggling for over a year. Winning that tournament changed everything for me; it restored my confidence and helped me regain my financial stability. That event was a pivotal moment in my life.
What is the most important for you in the life?
The people around me, especially my family and those who support me, are incredibly important. Maintaining good relationships with them is my top priority. I strive to be a better person for their sake and work on improving every aspect of my life—whether as a friend, son, brother, or in any other role.