Poker Brat causes penalty rumpus

News / Editor / 21 July 2008 / Leave a comment

Phil Hellmuth caused a bit of a stir during his challenge at the World Series of Poker Main Event and it is not something that has come out of the blue for the eleven-time WSOP bracelet winner, writes Rob Eddy.

The 44-year-old Californian has done it all on the felt but he has made just as big a name for his actions and his antics away from the cards as he has with his chips in play.

I mean, his moniker of 'Poker Brat' says it all as he is not a man who enjoys losing a pot or indeed a tournament, let alone being bluffed by anyone, and he is quite happy to share his views with anyone who cares to listen.

This time he might have gone too far after drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the recent WSOP Main Event, when the field of 6,844 had been reduced to a mere 78.

Hellmuth reacted badly when an opponent showed his cards to reveal a successful bluff that forced him off his hand and he branded the opposing player an 'idiot'.

The undoubted star of world poker would have picked up a penalty that would have meant he forfeited around 80,000 chips (about 10% of his stack) until he appealed to the tournament hierarchy and escaped with a mere warning.

WSOP spokesman Seth Palansky tried to play down the incident, saying: "It's a problem we've all helped create. The camera loves him and he plays to the camera, and everyone loves playing with him and the fun that comes along with it.

"You have to separate shtick from ill intent, and we found that with him it had nothing to do with ill intent. It's all about the psychological and the game of poker."

However, there was a feeling that Hellmuth got away with it because of who he is in the sport. Whether he would get away it in the WSOPE this September remains to be seen, but if the WSOP wishes to retain its credibility maybe it should enforce the penalties when it gets the chance.