Phil Hellmuth, Jr., one of the most controversial players in the world of poker, goes by the not-so-affectionate nickname “The Poker Brat.” But while his table antics are known to ruffle some feathers, Hellmuth has also been one of the most dominant players throughout his career. In fact, many fans of the game see him as the face of professional poker, especially Texas Hold ’em.
Phillip J. Hellmuth, Jr., born July 16, 1964 in Madison, Wisconsin, was the oldest of five siblings. As the son of a successful college dean, Phil excelled in school and seemed willing to follow in his father’s academic footsteps. Fate, however, had other plans.
Phil enrolled at the University of Wisconsin and it was here that his poker career took off. He was initially invited to play cash poker games at the student union, but soon found that low-priced games did not present enough of a challenge. Months later, he was competing against professors and other members of the campus community in $ 100 buy-in games. Hellmuth did so well that he was able to pay off his student loans and still had $ 20,000 to spare. At this point, he dropped out of college in his junior year and became a professional poker player.
In 1989, 24-year-old Hellmuth defeated Johnny Chan to become the youngest main event champion of the World Series of Poker. As of 2006, he has won nine impressive World Series of Poker bracelets (the bracelets are awarded to tournament winners), all at Texas Hold ’em events. He was the champion for the third season of Late Night Poker and defeated Chris Ferguson in 2005 to win the inaugural National Heads-Up Poker Championship. As of 2006, his total live tournament winnings exceed $ 7,200,000.
His World Series of Poker accomplishments include: first place at The Championship Event in 1989, Limit Hold ’em in 1992, 1993 and 2003, two No Limit Hold’ em events in 1993, one in 2001 and one in 2003, and Pot Limit Hold ’em in 1997.
Yet despite all his accomplishments, Phil has yet to win at the final table of a World Poker Tour event. He finished fourth at the Lucky Chances event (season one) and third at Foxwoods (season two). Without a doubt, this makes his detractors smile.
Hellmuth is also involved in many ventures outside the gaming table. He is a frequent contributor to Card Player Magazine, in addition to having written Play Poker such as Pros, Bad Beats and Lucky Draws, Poker Brat (which was on the bestseller list for a month) and The Greatest Poker Hands Ever Juged. He has also made several instructional videos, including Phil Hellmuth’s Million Dollar Poker Secrets. He is a spokesperson for online poker room Ultimate Bet and has been collaborating with Oakley on an exclusive line of sunglasses (no doubt to complement their exclusive clothing line). Phil also writes a syndicated column that is printed in more than 40 American newspapers.
When not traveling the world playing poker, Hellmuth lives in Palo Alto, California with his wife Katherine (a Stanford University psychiatrist) and their two children, Phillip III and Nicholas. His favorite food is salmon, while his favorite music and movies range from Pearl Jam and The American President to The Rolling Stones and The Matrix.
He estimates that his poker skills and penchant for self-promotion can earn him up to $ 400,000,000 in his lifetime. On the other hand, would you expect anything less from the face of modern professional poker?