Phil Hellmuth of UB.net is probably the most known poker player in the world and this is in part to his accomplishments as well as his attitude at the poker table. Phil is often referred to by his nickname “The Poker Brat” because he often takes his anger out on the other players at the table. Hellmuth is known as one of the best poker players in the world and although he thinks he is the absolute best I feel he has some merit making the accusation.
Hellmuth has been playing poker since he was very young and started playing the tournament circuit in the 80’s which is when he won his WSOP Main Event Bracelet in 1989. Phil was only 24 years old when he won the Main Event in 1989 which made him the youngest poker player in the world to win a Main Event at the time. This record has been broken recently though in 2008 when Peter Eastgate won the Main Event at age 22.
One of Phil’s best year’s in the WSOP was in 1993 when he managed to win 3 bracelets including 2 in No Limit Holdem and 1 in Limit Holdem. One unique statistic about Hellmuth and the WSOP is that he has only won events in Holdem and no other poker game which is amazing. Most poker players with multiple bracelets end up winning them in different poker games. Hellmuth who has the most WSOP bracelets out of anyone else at 11 has them all from playing Holdem which makes him probably the best Holdem player out there.
Phil won his most recent WSOP bracelet in 2007 by winning a small $1.5K NL Holdem event. Apart from the WSOP Phil hasn’t seen anywhere near the success on other circuits such as the EPT or WPT. Since Hellmuth is easily one of the most outspoken poker players at the table you can always be sure that he will make appearances on most television shows.
Phil has played on Poker After Dark numerous times, he hosts an Ultimate Bet show with Annie Duke and has made appearances on many other television shows. Phil I must say loves the cameras and will do anything so that the spotlight is on him which is why many poker players might have mixed opinions about Phil. There have been several occasions where Hellmuth has also gotten a little out of hand at the tables and I’m sure this didn’t help his popularity any in the poker world.
Hellmuth is currently the co-ambassador of UltimateBet with Annie Duke and has been playing his online poker there for years now. He also has many other deals such as games, books and other deals that he has in the works right now including a clothing line. Phil has two boys and a wife and they all live in California currently although Phil is often traveling with the family for poker. As Phil works on solidifying his spot as the best poker player of all-time we can watch and enjoy his poker antics at the table. It should also be noted that Phil is one of only several poker players to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.