By Sean Chaffin
WPT Raw Deal host Phil Hellmuth looked to be on the verge of poker greatness again in late October. Another bracelet was in sight at the World Series of Poker Europe. He was battling heads-up in the €25,500 Mixed Games Championship. However, his quest for bracelet No. 16 came up just short and he took home $266,488. It was another huge run, but when talking to Hellmuth it’s about the gold, not a runner-up.
The Poker Brat is one of the rare poker pros who’s moved beyond the poker world. He’s recognized at airports and has no problem posing for pictures with fans and even celebrities – as his Twitter feed frequently exemplifies.
Hellmuth conducted an interview with WPT.com during a break at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic. A walking interview that included a conversation while checking out at a coffee shop, Hellmuth spoke about his recent major score in a live streamed cash game, the poker industry, his business interests, and more.
Cashing in on PokerGO
No stranger to televised poker cash games, Hellmuth joined one of the biggest streamed cash games in history last week. He was part of “Rob’s Game,” a four-day cash game that played out on PokerGO and featured some $500/$1,000 action.
Along with Hellmuth and Yong, the game featured Jason Koon, Sam Trickett, Jean-Robert Bellande, Rick Salomon, and others. Hellmuth won $414,500, but not all those profits went in his own bank account. In the spirit of the holiday season, quite a bit went to backers who bought some of his action. However, these weren’t just a few well-heeled investors, but poker fans across the country.
“It was nice,” he said. “I think I’ve won 11 out of 12 packages on YouStake. I feel like I’ve given the customers $200,000, but of course, there’s some risk involved.”
Hellmuth won $80,000 for his 396 backers on the site this time out. Poker staking has become much easier in recent years, allowing Average Joes to pony up a few dollars for a sweat on a player’s action in major events. The process has become a bit like fantasy football for poker – with viewers watching at home to see how their players fare.
The “Rob’s Game” investment was capped at $500, and many players Tweeted him their thanks for some extra money for the holidays.
Fun week filming “Rob’s Home Game” (you can view all three days, now, only on @PokerGo App). One of biggest televised games in history! Fun: smiles for best friend @Chamath and my boy @rob_yong_ I won $414,500 #POSITIVITY pic.twitter.com/lduHmENXGZ
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) December 13, 2019
Hellmuth will once again be in the PokerGO Studio this week. On Thursday, he was set to host a “Holidays with Hellmuth” $100/$200 cash game featuring Jennifer Tilly, Randall Emmett, Daniel Negreanu, and others.
In Las Vegas THIS Thursday?! Stop by the PokerGO Studio at 12PM PT to take your picture with @Phil_Hellmuth! https://t.co/Zv9a0Plh52 pic.twitter.com/9XAcnX7OFE
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) December 17, 2019
Industry Observer
With more than 30 years in poker, Hellmuth has seen the ups and downs in poker first-hand. That ranges from the poker boom and highs that came with online poker to the lows of Black Friday. He’s been vocal about how he sees poker again riding a wave of popularity – with big fields like here at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic.
One thing that has surprised him is that he isn’t approached more to represent online poker sites. The market for sponsorships has certainly changed, and Hellmuth has represented sites in the past. While they are recruiting fewer ambassadors these days, it may seem strange to some that one of the biggest names in poker isn’t representing an online poker site.
“I’ve been surprised,” he says. “I feel like I haven’t had as many offers as I should. Last year I worked for an online poker company for a while, but unfortunately, it didn’t make it.”
Despite the lack of an online poker deal, Hellmuth does represent some other companies including the ARIA casino. Always a showman, Hellmuth gets plenty of exposure in the poker world for the brands he represents.
Over the last two years, Hellmuth has also released two books. The first is an autobiography titled Poker Brat and the second, #POSITIVITY, focuses on his system of goal setting and his insights on becoming successful. The book has received some reviews including from lifestyle coach Tony Robbins.
Hellmuth is proud of the feedback he gets from readers, and Hellmuth hoped it would reach even more people beyond poker.
“I’ve been a little disappointed, it’s taken off slowly,” he says. “But that’s what happened with Play Poker Like the Pros before it became a New York Times bestseller.”
Hellmuth believes it will still eventually reach a million copies sold. Despite his reputation for brattiness at the table, he believes the lessons he’s learned in his life can benefit others.
Business and the Raw Deal
Beyond poker, Hellmuth is a busy man. An author and businessman, he’s proud of his work serving on eight company advisory boards – all of which have nothing to do with poker. A few of those include End Game Talent Agency, Lasso sportswear, TravelSmarter.com, and others.
He also recently purchased a share of the esports team Qlash and is on that board as well. Does he know about esports?
“No, but I know a lot about business,” he says.
Since 2017, Hellmuth has hosted the “Raw Deal” segment on the WPT as part of the televised final tables aired on FOX Sports regional networks. He enjoys being involved in the process and bringing his own unique approach to the show.
“I write all the hands,” he says. “And the producers are really good, we have a great vibe between us. I’ll write the hands or sometimes they’ll send me a hand they want me to focus on. But it’s a very collaborative back and forth.
“My own spin is on everything. The producers help me and for me, it’s just kind of easy to sync it up with whatever the trends are in poker.”
On Sunday night, Hellmuth was in the crowd for the WPT Honors. Executive tour director Matt Savage and bestbet Jacksonville Vice President of Poker Operations Deb Giardina were this year’s recipients of the award. Hellmuth has a long history playing in tournaments Savage has organized and gives him high marks.
“Matt is so deserving,” he says. “Matt’s either the first or second-best tournament director in the world, and he’s the most knowledgeable tournament director in the world. Matt has also always known for being super fair and having great integrity.”
While he may have numerous big scores and championships, one title has thus far eluded Hellmuth – a WPT title. He’s come close several times, with six final table appearances and $1.6 million in tour winnings. The latest came in Season XVI, when he finished runner-up in the WPT Legends of Poker for $364,370. Hellmuth has regularly discussed his goal-setting process and a WPT title remains a big part of that. Goal setting in keeping an eye on the future remains a big part of his message to others.
“I have it on my goal sheet to win two WPTs per year,” he says. “That’s one of the things I teach people in my book #POSITIVITY. I teach people to write their yearly goals down and tape them on their bathroom mirror. I gave a speech the other day to a bunch of CEOs. I feel like I’m spreading a lot of positivity. It’s just been really fun.”
Hellmuth didn’t survive to Day 2, but quickly fired a second bullet at the start of Tuesday. Hellmuth tried positivity at the poker table but it wasn’t meant to be at Bellagio. Either way, it’s always an interesting experience.
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas, and his work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.