Royal Flush Poker

Phil Hellmuth has for quite some time now been known as ‘the poker brat’ he seems to revel in this nickname too, always looking for an opportunity to berate his opponents or put them down in some way. Now, as much as I am respectful of Phils achievements as a player, and he may well be the best Holdem player in the world, that is all the more reason to behave with dignity and class at the poker tables.

Does he not think himself a role model for young players in the game? Or perhaps he wants poker games to go from the general good natured, gentlemans game that it largely is, into tirades of abuse and insults at the tables. Because whether he likes it or not, as the most decorated man ever at the WSOP, people will grow to think of the way he behaves as acceptable, and it really isn’t.

Phil must know that when a player makes a poor move, gets lucky and wins, that they have only been lucky. They have not outplayed anyone and over time he will win chips off these players. I can understand him being upset about losing a big pot, but you have to reign in your emotions and take it on the chin, because that is the fickle nature of a deck of cards, just because you played a hand well, that doesn’t give you a right to the pot every single time.

One of the finest things in my opinion, that sets poker aside from other games, is that there are not rowdy crowds shouting and jeering at players they do or don’t like. Just as there are not players exploding like a petulant five year old when they lose (except one).
Despite everything Phil has won in his poker career, for me, he will never be a true champion of the game until he learns to act with the grace of a professional who understands that his game involves an element of luck.