Michael Moncek, also known as "Texas Mike", is an American poker player. He is a two-time WSOP bracelet winner and has won four WSOP Circuit rings.
Moncek isn't actually from Texas. He hails from Illinois. More specifically, the Chicago area. But he was given that nickname years ago after attending the University of Texas in Austin, and he's almost always sporting the burnt orange Longhorns hat at the poker table.
In 2022, he won Event #13: $1,500 Limit Hold'em for $145,856. He followed that up in 2023 with a win in Event #6: $5,000 No Limit Hold'em/Pot Limit Omaha.
“It feels awesome, especially in a game that I’ve never played before,” he said following his win. “I’m going to have to learn to play it now.”
In 2024, Moncek started making appearances on Hustler Casino Live, and attracted a legion of fans for high VPIP stats and fearless style of play.
He also took part in May's Million Dollar Game, where he pulled off one of the best bluff's you'll ever see in the week-long high stakes cash game.
Despite a strong start to the week, Moncek found himself on the wrong side of lady lucky several times, causing him to lose $2.75 million in just one session.
Moncek has crushed it on the high-stakes circuit despite playing an unorthodox brand of poker. He's played at the highest stakes against the toughest competition in PokerGO Tour events, WSOP high rollers, and in the Million Dollar Game on Hustler Casino Live. "Texas Mike" is a crowd favorite when on livestream, and he doesn't appear to be held back at all on the felt by his ongoing heart condition.
