Poker legend starts war of words.

Internet Poker / Editor / 19 September 2008 / 1 Comments

Johnny 'The Oriental Express' Chan, one of the most successful poker players ever to grace the Earth, has added a little spice to the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe by branding fellow professional, Phil Hellmuth a "sissy person" who needs to "grow up!"

Chan is a living legend in poker circles, having won the $10,000 Main Event in Las Vegas twice in three years from 1987 to 1989. He was denied an unprecedented third title in a row at the 1989 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, when he came unstuck heads-up against, a then unheard of, Phil Hellmuth.

After his Main Event win in 1989, Hellmuth became a student of the game and once sat watching the late Jack Keller, one of the greatest limit poker players of his time, for six hours straight at a final table.

In a recent interview with Tom Sexton, Chan was asked whether he felt that Hellmuth ever studied his every move with him being on a hot- streak at No-limit Hold'em.

With a wry smile, Chan answered, "Yes. Phil studied me for a long time. He was a hard worker. During my streak he was watching over my shoulder all the time! He followed me wherever I went. He was a good kid who would even jog with me around the Horseshoe occasionally."

Chan went on to say, "He is a good person and family man, even though he acts like a sissy person at the poker table, whining and complaining all the time." During another question it emerged that Hellmuth is good fun to be around when he is socialising, being described, as being "...like night and day. Phil is a good person but has to learn to grow up."

Whilst the comments may have been slightly tongue in cheek, as Chan and Hellmuth are actually good friends, they are sure to provoke a response from the self-proclaimed 'Poker Brat' who is never short on words, especially when it comes to talking about himself!

Phil Hellmuth has won a record 11 WSOP bracelets, one more than his closest rivals Johnny Chan and Doyle 'Texas Dolly' Brunson. With all three of these poker greats expected to be present at the second annual World Series of Poker Europe and with four bracelet events to be held this year, maybe Chan can topple his student from the top of the pile.

Johnny Chan holds ten WSOP bracelets and has over $6,700,000 in tournament winnings.

Comments (1)

1. Curtom | 20 September 2008

   I couldn't agree more. Johnny is one of the classiest guys in poker and Hellmuth could learn a lot from this particular interview in terms of how to handle himself. Hellmuth, for being as great a player as he is, goes waaaay over board wtih the schtick sometimes. Just play the game and people can and will respect that. Leave the "act" at home. Trust me, the sponsors will find you if you are a consistent whiner...er winner.