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Poker player profile: Phil Hellmuth
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Perhaps the best way to sum up Phil Hellmuth is with the line: “Enough about me, what do you think about me?”
Better known as the "poker brat", the name Phil Hellmuth and poker are synonymous. Known as much for his behavior and oversized ego, as his skills and accomplishments, the name Hellmuth is a lightning rod in poker conversations. His fans are intensely loyal, and his detractors can be downright abusive (longtime pro, Sam Grizzle is rumored to have punched Phil in the face outside a card-room!) Now that’s abusive behavior! Whether they are questioning his antics and sincerity, or belittling his ability, Phil’s peers do not always agree with him.
Loudmouth, egotist, attention whore, horrible player: These are all terms used by the many Phil ‘haters’. And the haters don’t stop at fans; many successful poker pro’s abhor Hellmuth’s antics, and openly scoff at his skills in a poker game. His legendary ego makes him the butt of many jokes –which Hellmuth takes in good stride.
Best No Limit player of all time, manipulator of his opponents, funny, witty: These are the terms used by the many Phil supporters. Phil has an almost cult-like following in the poker world. It’s almost like he e-mails his surrogates daily talking points to be posted on online forums.
Phil’s hissy fits are legendary and often captured by the TV cameras (since they know to follow his every move). His patented late arrival at the WSOP often involves 20 scantily clad women, and Phil decked out in some over-priced Halloween costume. If you have never seen Phil’s behavior try running a Google search, or check out YouTube for Phil Hellmuth + tirade/rant/funny, they are priceless!
Even with the circus like atmosphere that follows Hellmuth around, it’s hard to argue against his results over the years.
Some of his major accomplishments include:
• Eleven WSOP bracelets (most all-time)
• Youngest player to win the Main Event at 24 (this has since been surpassed by Peter Eastgate)
• Over $10,000,000 in tournament winnings for his career
• 1st in World Series of Poker cashes
• 4th on the all-time money list
That said, for all his great play the first thing that pops into most players' minds when they hear the name Phil Hellmuth, is some whiny, high-pitched rant. Many players feel Phil does this as some strange sort of publicity –maybe he follows the maxim that any publicity is good publicity. Having followed poker since the late 80's I can assure you, Phil behaved this way, well before ESPN's cameras found the poker room.
Phil is also known for being a very kind, nice, engaging person away from the poker tables: So, perhaps it’s true that a poker game can change a person’s personality just as much as alcohol?
Phil is also known for being a less than adequate cash game player, although he thoroughly disagrees with this assessment; surprise, surprise. Whatever his actual skills at the tables may be, no other player has done a better job of cultivating a career away from the tables as Phil Hellmuth. Phil has penned best-selling books, has a honey sweet endorsement deal with Ultimate Bet (along with celebrity apprentice star Annie Duke), and has his own personal clothing line.
Whatever you think of the man –It seems everyone has an opinion on Phil—Hellmuth is a central figure in poker’s success. All good television needs a villain of some sort; someone for people to root against and for other player’s to emulate, and Phil fits that role beautifully: Whether he means to or not has yet to be determined!
Phil Hellmuth plays at Ultimate Bet. Click here now to signup and get your chance to play with the Poker Brat |
