It can be extremely difficult, when reviewing the 36-year history of the World Series of Poker, to determine with any level of precision the decade which deserves the most attention. Ever since that first fateful tournament back in 1970, each new year and the decade to which it belongs has managed to generate a number of highly notable and memorable occurrences. Accordingly, every passing decade has introduced a new cast of champions to the world of professional poker, whose names and accomplishments will never be forgotten as long as this game is played.

Some in the poker community would definitely make a strong case that the 1990s deserve to be considered one of the very most exciting and influential decades in the history of the WSOP. After all, it was this decade that was responsible for introducing to the world more than a few colorful and extraordinarily talented poker players, whose names have become household words wherever the game of poker is a mass obsession.

Of all the lauded champions to emerge from the '90s, surely Mansour Matloubi must be considered worthy of a place of honor in the upper echelon. He was for years an extremely active player on the professional circuit, competing in a number of major events and finishing in the money a total of 13 times. Yet, few would argue that his greatest accomplishment occurred in the year of 1990, when he won the main event at the World Series of Poker. That year, he put on a devastating display of aggressive strategy and patient cunning. It truly was a victory worthy of the history books.

Today, however, Mansour Matloubi is not nearly as visible on the scene as in years past. In fact, he very rarely makes an appearance at poker tournaments in the United States. A full-time resident of London, he generally limits his tournament appearances to events taking place in Europe. This is not to say that we cannot hope to see Mansour at another stateside tournament in the future. Any player of such tenacity will be hard-pressed to resist a challenge such as the World Series of Poker forever, especially one who has tasted the thrill of winning at the final table. So, for the many fans of Mansour Matloubi, it is simply a waiting game to see when he will return to our shores. For any lover of serious high-stakes poker, that day cannot come soon enough.