There is no arguing that Luke “FullFlush” Schwartz (pictured) is a fantastic poker player. It was almost six years ago that he made his presence known to the poker world when he started tearing up the high-stakes tables on Full Tilt Poker, going toe-to-toe with the game’s best players.

More than his poker skill, though, he immediately became known for his abrasive personality, as he was not shy about trash-talking. And it was frequently not lighthearted trash talking, either. Put it this way, he used to call Dan Cates an “autistic spaz” and called railbirds “railtards.” He called a live tournament table populated by Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen, and Phil Ivey “fishy.”

Now 30-years old, Schwartz sat down with PokerListings to see where he stands in poker and in life. Right off the bat, Schwartz appears to be more mature, as he had to put his kids to bed before the interview. He confirmed as much, saying, “I’m a new man now. I’m 30 years old – a bit different from the brash, ego-driven, crazy guy who roamed around the poker tables when I was in my early 20s.”

Once Schwartz gained attention for both his skilled poker play and his table antics, he began being invited to televised poker events such as the PartyPoker Premier League and Full Tilt Poker Million. He played it up for the cameras at the time, but is now actually embarrassed by the way he acted, telling PokerListings, “It’s pretty cringe-worthy when I look back at myself. Everyone hates the sound of his or her voice and it’s even worse when you are being stupid. I don’t watch my old footage anymore.”

“I was a hyped-up kid with too much money. I was in my own little world really.”

He certainly was in his own little world. Take the time in 2009 when he was temporarily banned from the Vic Casino in London for refusing to remove his hat upon request. Fortunately, poker promoter Eddie Hearn, a friend of Schwartz’s, was able to convince the casino to lift the ban.

Then there was arguably his silliest and most infamous incident, which happened only a month later. After busting on Day 2 of EPT London, he went to the hospitality area and ordered a sandwich. We say “ordered” because he allegedly walked away without paying and played the “I’m awesome, I can do what I want” card when asked to pay. For a while, it was rumored he had been banned from all Grosvenor Casinos in the UK, but in the end he was given a warning.

Even as recently as last year, Schwartz went on a Twitter rant against PokerStars for apparently temp-banning him from the site. He dropped f-bombs left and right while calling PokerStars management “Nazis” and the site “rigged.”

He says he is different now. While he still wouldn’t be afraid to speak his mind at the tables, he says he isn’t an “attention-seeking whore anymore.”

As for poker, Schwartz says he has been doing well lately and has been sticking to Mixed Games, mostly online. He has been staying away from big No Limit games because he feels they are unwinnable now.

While he is only up about $18,000 on PokerStars this year according to HighStakesDB, he is up almost $150,000 since mid-November. Similarly, on Full Tilt Poker, he is only up about $37,000 on the year, but is up $174,000 since mid-November.

Schwartz also discussed other poker players with PokerListings. The site asked him if Phil Hellmuth is a “whore” (likely referring to Hellmuth’s constant desire to be in front of a television camera). Schwartz didn’t go that far, saying he didn’t have much of an opinion on the 13-time WSOP bracelet winner, but offered the opinion that Hellmuth isn’t that skilled, and more power to him if he feels marketing himself is the best way to make money.

On the flip side, there is Dan Colman, who Schwartz says is “far better” than Hellmuth, but since he doesn’t have charisma, he isn’t as “important” to the game as Hellmuth.

Schwartz also said he greatly respects Alex Kostritsyn, calling him “a very honorable guy and very clever.” He respects the game of Michael Thuritz, but says he has an “ego/attitude problem.”

Visit PokerListings for the full interview.

Want the latest poker headlines and interviews? Follow PocketFives on Twitterand Like PocketFives on Facebook. You can also subscribe to our RSS feed.