Matt Medlin has lived in Georgia all his life. Matt grew up in Stone Mountain and now lives in Loganville. He started playing Texas Hold’em in college around fifteen years ago. Matt is married and has been teaching school for ten years. He teaches physical education and coaches volleyball. One of his hobbies is that he goes to yard sales every chance he gets.
How long have you played with the APC?
Since Season 1. Started at Bogeys by Gwinnett Place. (Matt Medlin was #68 on the leaderboard for Season 1 with 282.05 points and finished 10th at Bogeys. That was in the summer of 2004.) I Met John Furg, the Godfather, and played against him.
What tournament did you win to qualify for the Tournament of Champions?
I was the Season 2 Points Champion (Fall, 2004).
What was it like to play against 43 fellow Champions at the Tournament?
It was definitely overwhelming and tough. I really enjoyed it. Played against awesome players and had to play smart and pick and choose my spots wisely.
What was your game strategy, other than to win?
To take advantage of monster hands, slow play and trap to accumulate chips.
How did it feel to win the Tournament of Champions?
It felt surreal. I was behind on the last hand and had to catch a river card and did. I was down 4 to 1 in chips at start of heads up. Jason Spry is an awesome player. Playing against Spry was great fun and I would have been happy no matter who won the heads up. It made me feel relevant.
Who has influenced your play the most?
Train, Melton, and Chris Pupo and being able to play with them all the time and talk poker with them.
What is your advice for new players?
Don’t overplay big pairs in your hand. Don’t go on tilt because it isn’t the end of the world.
What are your goals in the APC?
I’m only able to play 10 or 15 times a season and my goal is to make the final table at the APC $10,000 Main Event.
I just want to commend Erin, Spry, and Brad on running a classy operation. You really realize the value of the Atlanta Poker Club when you play even one time somewhere else. The APC is not some chip fest and you can’t buy your way to the final table and it has a real casino type feel. Great people running the organization shows. I enjoy spending $40 a night on chicken wings to play poker. I wish the APC would branch out all over the state. Any restaurant would do well if the APC is a part of it.
Matt Medlin is a true champion at the poker table. Always a gentleman and makes you glad you came to play!
