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