| One of the most controversial players in the | | | | His World Series of Poker accomplishments |
| world of poker, Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is often | | | | include: first place finishes in The |
| known by the not-so-affectionate moniker of | | | | Championship Event in 1989, Limit Hold 'em in |
| "The Poker Brat." But while his antics at the | | | | 1992, 1993, and 2003, two No Limit Hold 'em |
| table have been known to ruffle a few | | | | events in 1993, one in 2001, and one in 2003, |
| feathers, Hellmuth has also been one of the | | | | and Pot Limit Hold 'em in 1997. |
| most dominating players over the course of | | | | |
| his career. In fact, many fans of the game | | | | However, for all his accomplishments, Phil |
| view him as the face of professional poker, | | | | has yet to win at the final table of a World |
| especially Texas Hold 'em. | | | | Poker Tour event. He finished fourth at the |
| | | | Lucky Chances event (season one) and third at |
| Born July 16th, 1964 in Madison, Wisconsin, | | | | Foxwoods (season two). No doubt, this brings |
| Phillip J. Hellmuth, Jr. was the oldest of | | | | a smile to the face of his detractors. |
| five children. Being the son of a successful | | | | |
| university assistant dean, Phil excelled in | | | | Hellmuth is also involved in many ventures |
| school and looked poised to follow in his | | | | away from the card table. He frequently |
| father's academic footsteps. Fate, however, | | | | contributes to Card Player Magazine, as well |
| had other plans. | | | | as having penned Play Poker like the Pros, |
| | | | Bad Beats and Lucky Draws, Poker Brat (which |
| Phil enrolled in the University of Wisconsin, | | | | was on the best-seller list for a month), and |
| and it was here that his poker career got off | | | | The Greatest Poker Hands Ever Played. He has |
| the ground. He was initially invited to play | | | | also made several instructional videos, |
| in cash poker games at the student union, but | | | | including Phil Hellmuth's Million Dollar |
| soon found that the low-dollar games didn't | | | | Poker Secrets. He is a spokesperson for the |
| present enough of a challenge. Months later, | | | | Ultimate Bet online poker room, and has been |
| he was competing against professors and other | | | | collaborating with Oakley on a signature line |
| members of the campus community in $100 | | | | of sunglasses (no doubt, to compliment his |
| buy-in games. Hellmuth did so well that he | | | | signature line of clothing). Phil also writes |
| was able to pay off his student loans and | | | | a syndicated column which is printed in over |
| still have a $20,000 bankroll left over. At | | | | 40 U.S. newspapers. |
| this point, he dropped out of college in his | | | | |
| junior year and became a professional poker | | | | When he's not traveling around the world |
| player. | | | | playing poker, Hellmuth makes his home in |
| | | | Palo Alto, California with his wife Katherine |
| In 1989, the 24-year-old Hellmuth defeated | | | | (a psychiatrist at Stanford University) and |
| Johnny Chan to become the youngest champion | | | | two sons, Phillip III and Nicholas. His |
| of the World Series of Poker main event. As | | | | favorite food is salmon, while his favorite |
| of 2006, he has won an impressive nine World | | | | music and movies range from Pearl Jam and The |
| Series of Poker bracelets (bracelets are | | | | American President to The Rolling Stones and |
| awarded to tournament winners), all in the | | | | The Matrix. |
| Texas Hold 'em events. He was the season | | | | |
| three champion of Late Night Poker, and he | | | | He estimates that his skill at poker and |
| defeated Chris Ferguson in 2005 to win the | | | | fondness for self-promotion may earn him as |
| inaugural National Heads-Up Poker | | | | much as $400,000,000 in his lifetime. Then |
| Championship. As of 2006, his total live | | | | again, would you expect anything less from |
| tournament winnings exceed $7,200,000. | | | | the face of modern professional poker? |
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