![Australia [AUS]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/au.svg "Australia [AUS]"){kind=small}
Matthew Wakeman is a highly respected Australian professional poker player who has successfully transitioned from a dominant online career to becoming a premier fixture on the global live circuit.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Matthew Wakeman has accumulated $2,284,399 in total live earnings. He currently holds a prominent position on the Australia All Time Money List, ranking 24th in the country. His career-best live cash of $300,000 was achieved in December 2025 at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise in the Bahamas, where he secured a 6th-place finish in the $25,000 Super Main Event.
Wakeman’s live success is matched by an elite online resume, where he is known under the moniker “mjw006”. He has earned over $6 million in lifetime online tournament winnings, including a WCOOP title and multiple victories in high-stakes events like the $1,050 Super Tuesday. His transition to live play has been marked by major scores at the Aussie Millions, World Poker Tour (WPT), and the Asian Poker Tour (APT).
Matthew Wakeman has maintained an exceptional run of form throughout 2024 and 2025, recording landmark triumphs across the Asian circuit. In February 2025, he claimed his first-ever APT title by winning the prestigious Superstar Challenge in the ATP Manila Classic 2025 , outlasting an elite field to take home a $212,706 top prize. Shortly after, in December 2025, he demonstrated his dominance on the international stage with his massive $300,000 score at WSOP Paradise . Earlier, in September 2024, he also reached the final table of the WPT Australia Championship, finishing 5th for $108,264.
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from Newcastle, New South Wales, and currently based in Sydney, Wakeman began taking the game seriously in 2008 to “crush his friends” in home games. He quickly ascended the online ranks, reaching a #1 ranking in Australia and entering the global top 10 on PocketFives. A dedicated “full-time dad” who treats poker as a professional occupation, he is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most analytical and underrated players.
Play Style & Strategy
Wakeman is noted for his disciplined and highly adaptive play style, characteristic of elite online-to-live crossover professionals. He possesses a deep understanding of tournament dynamics and ICM pressure, as evidenced by his consistent performance at high-stakes final tables. His ability to navigate deep-stack championships—often starting as a chip leader or maneuvering from a short stack—highlights a comprehensive strategic toolkit and a clinical approach to late-stage tournament play.
