El Matador
Juan Carlos Mortensen, nicknamed "El Matador" was born April 13, 1972 in Ambato, Ecuador and is a professional poker player who is known for his loose play, bluffing tactics, and unique chip-stacking style.
Carlos Mortensen is best known for his performance in the 2001 World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event, where he won $1.5 million. His opponent was Dewey Tomko, a former kindergarten teacher with over 35 years of poker experience. Mortensen also won $1 million at the Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship in 2004. Mortensen was also placed in the World Heads-Up Poker Championship, and was a semi-finalist in the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament's second season. Carlos also took 1st in the WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship on Apr 27, 2007 and the $3,970,415 prize.
Mortensen's wife, Cecilia Reyes, also plays poker. They have been together since January 1990. Carlos Mortensen travels frequently between the US and Europe to play in tournaments, sometimes with his wife by his side.
Fun Facts:
- Remembers EXACT date he started playing poker - April 15, 1997 in Madrid
- First person to win both the WSOP and WPT Championships
- Enjoys the prestige of being thought of as one of the handsomest poker players alive.
- Legal name is Juan Carlos Mortensen but became known as Carlos when he moved to the United States
- Loves to bowl and rip around on ATVs
- Was married to fellow pro Cecilia Reyes-Mortensen for more than a decade