If you do a search on Twitter using the words kevmath, you learn not a day goes by that he's not fielding a question from someone, somewhere, in every timezone known to man, on issues related to all things poker. That's because he's a machine. And he doesn't sleep. Well, he does sleep - just not as much, or as often, as the rest of us mere mortals.
kevmath's awareness about issues of importance to the poker community make him a favorite on forums like 2+2, where he's closing in on his 27,000th post and serves as a moderator, and on social media sites, like Twitter, where he's followed by seemingly everyone in poker, from its elite (both @AnnieDuke and @RealKidPoker follow him, as does @PokerKat, @Elkypoker, @PrimordialAA, and @AllenCunningham) to more than 8,000 everyday grinder-types and poker fans. And that's not even counting all the perennial poker hotties he's got on follow, including @TattyTats, @Liv_Boeree, @KaraOTR, and @BexMcAdam, to name just a few.
2011 was a bit of a break out year for @kevmath (real name, Kevin Mathers). Indeed, given the hours he keeps and the breadth of his knowledge, it wasn't until people actually laid eyes on him this year that the myth of kevmath as Poker's Omniscient One - the ultimate poker media/information cyborg - could be put to rest.
Human, he is, and what a coming out he had, including a first ever trip to Vegas during the World Series of Poker, where he found himself working and living for 7 weeks and giving interviews to the likes of Pokerati, via Dr. Pauly, and The Circuit (click links for those interviews).
If you've followed kevmath for any length of time, on either Twitter or via 2+2, you might think that his life revolves around poker. And you'd be right. But there's more to him than that. Yes, he is Poker's Brain of Brains, but you may not know he's got a fondness for Hüsker Dü, a thing for suited connectors, and a heart for service that's rooted in a deep respect for friends and loyalty. That's where the (Poker)Proust Q comes in.
kevmath is the latest to reveal a little of himself through poker's (ok, my) take on Vanity Fair's Celebrity Proust Questionnaire. kevmath was kind enough to respond to my out-of-the-blue request and fearless enough to let us in on some of the special things that make him unique. Unlike those Vanity Fair PQs, though, kevmath had to answer these questions within the constraints of Twitter's 140-character rule, and he did it like a champ. Like Maria Ho before him, I found kevmath to be brave and humble. Given what he does for the poker community on a daily basis, he's a veritable rockstar, too.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The day I agree with other people's opinion of me.
The day I agree with other people's opinion of me.
What makes you laugh?
When I see something funny.
When I see something funny.
Where do you feel most at home?
When I'm on Twitter. Hard to say, since I mostly stay at home.
When I'm on Twitter. Hard to say, since I mostly stay at home.
Of what achievement in poker are you most proud?
Actually getting a paid job in the poker media.
What is your most treasured possession?
I don't really have any.
What is your greatest fear?
That my peers will consider me a failure.
That my peers will consider me a failure.
What trait do you most deplore in yourself?
My constant failure to accept praise.
My constant failure to accept praise.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Negativity toward them self.
Negativity toward them self.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My collection of i-pods.
My collection of i-pods.
On what occasion do you lie?
When talking about gambling.
When talking about gambling.
When and where do you remembering being your happiest?
That's a tough one. I have an answer I want to give but probably best not to use it. Pass.
That's a tough one. I have an answer I want to give but probably best not to use it. Pass.
If you died and could come back as a person or thing, what would it be?
Anyone who could appreciate the opportunities that were given them.
Anyone who could appreciate the opportunities that were given them.
What is your favorite journey?
Vegas, but I've never really had many journeys.
Vegas, but I've never really had many journeys.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Kindness.
Kindness.
Which living person do you most despise?
Rupert Murdoch.
Rupert Murdoch.
Any phrase where I qualify something, even though I'm nearly certain I'm right.
What is your greatest regret?
Waiting so long to finally "come out" of the shadows. Saying no to way too many offers to be in poker media. My crippling lack of confidence.
Waiting so long to finally "come out" of the shadows. Saying no to way too many offers to be in poker media. My crippling lack of confidence.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to write in a style that pleased the reader.
The ability to write in a style that pleased the reader.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I have things I think are the greatest love in my life.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be truly happy.
If you weren't involved with poker, what would you be?
Nothing comes to mind.
Nothing comes to mind.
What is your most striking characteristic?
Trying to help everyone.
Trying to help everyone.
What do you most value in your friends?
That they let me be their friend, even when I act like an idiot.
That they let me be their friend, even when I act like an idiot.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Those who are devoted to helping others with little reward.
Those who are devoted to helping others with little reward.
How would you like to die?
Peacefully, in my sleep.
What is your motto?
A lyric from one of my favorite bands, Hüsker Dü: "Walking around with your head in the clouds makes no sense at all."
Peacefully, in my sleep.
What is your motto?
A lyric from one of my favorite bands, Hüsker Dü: "Walking around with your head in the clouds makes no sense at all."
What is your favorite NLHE hand?
8-7s
8-7s
Who's a better rapper, Jeff Madsen or Prahlad Friedman?
Prahlad
Prahlad
Who *really* should've won The Apprentice, Annie Duke or Joan Rivers?
Annie should have won, simple as that..
Annie should have won, simple as that..
Who is your favorite Micros character?
Obvious answer is the Tatjana Pasalic character, but of the three main characters, it's Tommy.
Obvious answer is the Tatjana Pasalic character, but of the three main characters, it's Tommy.
What is your favorite karaoke song?
Never done karaoke.
Never done karaoke.
What is your best @AlCantHang memory?
When he came back to the WSOP this year, he definitely came at a time when I needed him around.
When he came back to the WSOP this year, he definitely came at a time when I needed him around.
@KaraOTR or Angelina Jolie?
Kara, obv.
Kara, obv.
Who wins in a baby oil death cage match, Dr. Pauly or Hunter S. Thompson?
Hunter
What is the best thing about Twitter?
The best thing about Twitter is that it's a great way to distribute information quickly.
Hunter
What is the best thing about Twitter?
The best thing about Twitter is that it's a great way to distribute information quickly.
Who is your favorite Tweeter
Who is your favorite Main Event Champ?
Doyle @TexDolly Brunson
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