PokerGo/Mark Gorman The world of tournament poker often seems to have one set of rules for big name pros, and another set for everyone else. That was on full display when it came to Phil Hellmuth’s behavior at the 2021 World Series of Poker this week.
Upon losing a bracelet opportunity on Monday, Hellmuth went on a profanity-laden rant on live stream. He has repeatedly apologized for it on Twitter . WSOP hasn’t publicly imposed any consequences on him, however, and recreational players likely won’t be afforded the same luxury. Swearing can get you a warning or a one-round penalty. Some of what Hellmuth said could have, for another player, resulted in a disqualification or even a lifetime ban.
Hellmuth admits on Twitter that he made threats to burn down the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, where the series is taking place. He insists that his comments, which were cut from the final table video, were a joke: “This is a joke: I’m afraid I’ll get called out for it: if I don’t win, I will burn the place down.” The rant came after Hellmuth, initially a chip leader, lost a large portion of his stack to Anthony Zinno at the final table. Hellmuth, who was chasing a 16th bracelet to add to his record, eventually busted in fourth, two hours later. Let Hellmuth be Hellmuth?
Meanwhile, the 57-year-old “Poker Brat” with more than $25 million in live earnings, according to the Hendon Mob database, is largely getting wink-wink, nudge-nudge attention from his fans. The video PokerGO posted yesterday on YouTube of his Monday rant had racked up 114,085 views on YouTube as of this morning. PokerGO is live-streaming the tournament.
PokerGo itself sounded excited about Hellmuth’s behavior, with this summary below the video: “Phil Hellmuth had a chance to win his 16th WSOP Bracelet at the $10,000 Seven Card Stud final table but boy did that go wrong! This might be the biggest meltdown you’ll ever see out of the Poker Brat!” So late author Nat Hentoff ‘s 1992 book title is perhaps more apt: Free Speech for Me — But […]
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