Can Phil Hellmuth undergo a complete transformation?

Can Phil Hellmuth undergo a complete transformation?
Will rubber bands become poker's next must-have bling?

These are questions I asked myself after reading the cover story of April's Bluff Magazine. The cover features a photo of Sam and a handful of poker players with the caption "The Mindset Guru...Sam Chauhan is Inside the Head of Poker's Best".

Avid Bluff readers might know Sam's name because he writes a monthly column for the magazine, or because of the recognition he got after Antonio Esfandiari's game turned completely around because of working with him.

The article itself is titled "Head Games" and is pretty much a testimony to the effectiveness of Sam's techniques by such players, in addition to Antoniio, as Paul Wasicka, Josh Arieh, and Gavin Smith. Other poker playing clients, like Mark Seif, are mentioned.

Central to Sam's technique is a common household rubber band which he has his clients wear on their wrists. Whenever they think a negative thought they're supposed to snap that band hard, so it hurts.

Paul Wasicka says, "The rubber band is one thing Sam's been working with me on...I need to get more consistent with it, but basically it's a way for me to snap back into the zone, get back into the moment."

But now there's a new kid on the block seeking Sam's assistance, none other than Phil Hellmuth. Sam says who Phil really is outside of poker is like night and day compared to his public persona. Sam feels confident that we'll see a whole new Phil this year. No more tantrums or putting down other players, etc., etc.

Of working with Sam, Phil says his decision to deep six the Poker Brat image has nothing to do with Sam, that he had made that decision before signing up with him.

He continues, "So I have decided that I just don't want to scream and yell and berate people and get so negative. Sam probably didn't want me to be negative, but [emphasis mine] I'm the one that decided to get rid of the Poker Brat image...I also told Sam, 'Look, I'm going to have a really big year with or without you, so you're going to end up getting credit for this..."

Hmmm...so what do you think? Unlike the proverbial leopard, can Phil change his spots?

Personally, I just can't see him transforming into a personality like Mike Sexton or Chip Reese when he was alive. If he somehow pulls this off,I suspect I'll be even less interested in the new Phil than I am the Poker Brat now. At least the Brat has entertainment value.

i honestly think this will be good for him. Though, i hate watching him, because of his tantrums i think he is a great tournament player. I think he can do it and will benefit from this.

Maybe he'll come to the 2010 main event dressed as a rubber band ball. Bounces in, loses stack AA vs. KK, snaps (his rubber band now i guess), and bounces out.

Definately wouldnt wanna have him change his image!

hes a poker brat...

so what now he will credit players for their terrible play? I highly doubt that...

pigs have a better chance to fly than hellmuth cleaning up his baby tantrums...

lol! now that would be funny.

Phil after the change - completely new looks and behaviour:

YouTube- THE ORIGINAL Scary 'Mary Poppins' Recut Trailer

Do they make rubber bands big enough?

The results of Phil's training are beginning to trickle in:

In the "NEWS & notes" section of the May issue of Poker Pro, a blurb titled "How's that coaching going?" refers to an article in the magazine about the changes Phil's been going through since he began working with Sam C. The article is actually quite sympathetic and includes an open letter to Phil from Tony G expressing concern for his mental health.

Reason? When his aces got cracked by AJ (ace on the river), busting him out in 6th place at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star event, instead of going on a verbal rampage, Phil got up from his chair and fell to the ground and curled up in fetal position. Yikes--is the Poker Brat now becoming the (literal) Poker Baby?!

Interestingly enough, in the May 11th issue of CardPlayer mag, Phil talks about that tourney like he is a star who has vastly improved his game and has much to teach us all if we're able to make crystal clear reads on opponents that are as good as his. No mention of where or how he ended up in the event.

And so the Hellmuth beat goes on...

Leopards are usually not able to change their spots. Hellmuth doesn't have leopard in his list of critters, but he might as well be one.

I saw an interview asking him why he didn't blow up after that beat. He said he is finally maturing and trying to show more respect for the game and other people.

However....I have since seen him blow up on people. lol

I read the same article and asked my self the same thing about the rubber bands.

The last time I saw him play on tv, he looked like he was doing a lot better. Although he kept saying how he was going to do better. I think he was really struggiling with some bad players. lol.

Based on whats been said, we're either either gonna come out with a better Phil Hellmuth, or the new Poker Baby.

never ever part of the entertainment and his personality! will always rant and rave! haven't seen him win squat last few yrs! gla at the tables!

That was my very first thought. While no one can take those 11 bracelets away from him, his rants look more and more foolish if he keeps looking like a sore losing fish instead of the occasional bad beat bust. Besides, you have to actually stay in the tournament to have something new to go off about. And it just may be that the poker brat 'persona' is now perceived by him to be an increased pressure, one that's affecting his game. But if you look at his record from this March on, seems like he's getting his game back. http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=117

His rants make him look unprofessional and childish. He's too old for such stuff. And too good a player overall to be so unable to control his empotional outbursts. Hopefully, he is realizing that, while his tantrums make him stand out, it's not in a good way.

I find it entertaining to watch poker when Helmuth's on the table.

I think it's pretty cool that he made a decision to hire Sam to help him work on aspects of his game (perhaps following Antonio's move & others, who also seem to be benefitting from the rubber bands).

I've got a rubber band sitting next to my puter right now, lol..... 'SNAP'

It will be interesting to see if he can change but he is entertaining to watch.