Phil Hellmuth is a shameless self promoter

Paw_kit Aces · Jul 6, 2009

Every year Phil show up late and in some ridiculous costume. First the NASCAR stunt, last year it was the 11 star (one for every bracelet) general costume and this year Julius Caesar, complete with Roman warriors to carry him inside (you can see some pic on the wsop web site). Why can’t he just put on a wig or better yet dress up as Phil Hellmuth and arrive on time with no fan fair like everybody else? I can’t think of any other individual who does this kind of stuff, Hollywood maybe. There have been a few athletes who where self promoters (Terrell Owens and maybe Deon Anderson), but not to this extreme. They would be laughing stocks (maybe even severely fined) if they showed up for training camp dressed up as a NASCAR driver to promote some web site. I know there is a difference, because athletes represent their organizations and are paid by their franchises owners who would not take kindly there players making a mockery of the moment. You would think Phil’s wife and friends ( or parents) would knock some sense into his head. Where is his dignity? I wonder if he even has any.

http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/news/article.asp?newsID=2503

beefcake413 · Jul 6, 2009

Paw_kit Aces said:
Every year Phil show up late and in some ridiculous costume. First the NASCAR stunt, last year it was the 11 star (one for every bracelet) general costume and this year Julius Caesar, complete with Roman warriors to carry him inside (you can see some pic on the WSOP web site). Why can’t he just put on a wig or better yet dress up as Phil Hellmuth and arrive on time with no fan fair like everybody else? I can’t think of any other individual who does this kind of stuff, Hollywood maybe. There have been a few athletes who where self promoters (Terrell Owens and maybe Deon Anderson), but not to this extreme. They would be laughing stocks (maybe even severely fined) if they showed up for training camp dressed up as a NASCAR driver to promote some web site. I know there is a difference, because athletes represent their organizations and are paid by their franchises owners who would not take kindly there players making a mockery of the moment. You would think Phil’s wife and friends ( or parents) would knock some sense into his head. Where is his dignity? I wonder if he even has any.

http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/news/article.asp?newsID=2503

First off Shaq does his different bits, and Clinton Portis dresses up for press conferences (he has about 4 or 5 different alter egos by now), and everyone thinks its funny. You obviously already have a bias against Hellmuth and so therefore you find his hijinks/stunts a "mockery" as you put it. I think it's genius. He's obviously making this grandiose entrance for multiple reasons. Yes, one of them is ego, any great athlete or person has one. But secondly, think of how much sponsorship money he's getting by having THE ENTIRE WSOP stop to watch him come in to the room. He's marketing himself and whoever pays him (and there are multiple people that line up to do so). As you said, pro athletes are paid. The only way a poker player makes money is to win it or get sponsored. Finally, how many people (amateurs) see him come in the room and get just as pissed off as you. Then he sits down at their table and they already get it in there head that "I'm going to knock out Phil" or "I'm going to outplay them". Now he's in your head, and for most amateurs that's enough to knock them off any game that they had.

jroyfus · Jul 6, 2009

Phil has no dignity, heck I don't think he knows or

understands the term

.

Phil is only about one thing and one thing only,

thats called PUBLICITY whether its good or bad

it's just who he is I have come to expect nothing less

coming from him

coolnout · Jul 6, 2009

At least he keeps things interesting.

white_lytning · Jul 6, 2009

Stop.

Phil (to my knowledge) does not have a marketing company working for him like the athletes you mentioned (teams hire marketing agencies to help with pr). Phil wants to sell him self as any other rational human being would want to do. He wants to make money, he wants to get recognized. He has a stage to do it on, an audience, and a seven bracelets.

There is nothing wrong with what he did. Don't make it a bigger deal than it should be.

NoWuckingFurries · Jul 6, 2009

A lot of wealthy people are wealthy because they have shamelessly promoted themselves over the years - that's what capitalism (and the American dream) is all about.

JulieK · Jul 6, 2009

What kind of basis is this to criticize someone, much less someone in show business? Let's list some other people who are shamelessly self-promoting:

Rush Limbaugh, and everybody else with a radio show.
David Letterman, and everybody else with a talk show on TV.
Nancy Pelosi, and everybody else in politics.
Tiger Woods, and everybody else in sports.

Cut Hellmuth some slack. He might be the best player in poker, yet he has to watch Ivey, Brunson and others get credited with being the best, by people who are promoting these others as the best, for their own selfish reasons. Every time you hear somebody say Ivey is the best player in poker, look for the FTilt logo on their shirt. They're promoting their equity in FTilt by promoting their guy, Ivey, as the best. Promotion is no more attractive when it is not shameless, or is not self-promotion.

Paw_kit Aces · Jul 6, 2009

beefcake413 said:
First off Shaq does his different bits, and Clinton Portis dresses up for press conferences (he has about 4 or 5 different alter egos by now), and everyone thinks its funny. You obviously already have a bias against Hellmuth and so therefore you find his hijinks/stunts a "mockery" as you put it. I think it's genius. He's obviously making this grandiose entrance for multiple reasons. Yes, one of them is ego, any great athlete or person has one. But secondly, think of how much sponsorship money he's getting by having THE ENTIRE WSOP stop to watch him come in to the room. He's marketing himself and whoever pays him (and there are multiple people that line up to do so). As you said, pro athletes are paid. The only way a poker player makes money is to win it or get sponsored. Finally, how many people (amateurs) see him come in the room and get just as pissed off as you. Then he sits down at their table and they already get it in there head that "I'm going to knock out Phil" or "I'm going to outplay them". Now he's in your head, and for most amateurs that's enough to knock them off any game that they had.

Actually at one time Phil was one of my favorite pros. The first poker book I read was his because I thought he played well and learn from him, but that was before I saw the way he conducts himself when he get drawn out on. I know poker is a game where you try to get in your opponents’ head, that’s good strategy, but that is not what he is doing. He is just throwing a temper tantrum like a 3 year old toddler who can’t get an extra cookie with his dinner. Everybody in poker gets drawn out on, but Phil crosses the line and there is no excuse for that kind of thing. I once saw him berate a dealer because he got drawn out on and since he is not playing the dealer there was no reason to bring her into it.

You are correct about reason for the grand entrance being his ego, but I think it is all because of his ego, not just endorsement opportunities or obligations. He will continue to get endorsement as long as he keeps winning there is no need to constantly be the center of attention and disrupting the game like he feels like he must do…I’m just saying…

OzExorcist · Jul 6, 2009

Paw_kit Aces said:
Why can’t he just put on a wig or better yet dress up as Phil Hellmuth and arrive on time with no fan fair like everybody else?

Because he's Phil Hellmuth and he understands publicity.

Personally I find his Main Event entrances a lot less galling than some of the other stuff he does, like showing up at televised final tables he's not playing in just to shake some hands and get some camera time. Or using his "I'm doing it for the cameras" excuse to get out of a penalty during last year's Main Event.

Stuff like this is just funny in comparison, I think, and it wouldn't be the World Series without it these days.

Paw_kit Aces · Jul 6, 2009

JulieK said:
What kind of basis is this to criticize someone, much less someone in show business? Let's list some other people who are shamelessly self-promoting:

Rush Limbaugh, and everybody else with a radio show.
David Letterman, and everybody else with a talk show on TV.
Nancy Pelosi, and everybody else in politics.
Tiger Woods, and everybody else in sports.

Cut Hellmuth some slack. He might be the best player in poker, yet he has to watch Ivey, Brunson and others get credited with being the best, by people who are promoting these others as the best, for their own selfish reasons. Every time you hear somebody say Ivey is the best player in poker, look for the FTilt logo on their shirt. They're promoting their equity in FTilt by promoting their guy, Ivey, as the best. Promotion is no more attractive when it is not shameless, or is not self-promotion.

I am fine with promoting with people promoting there products, I have a problem with the way Phil is doing it and trying to analyze the why. I certainly support the notion that one can and should make as much money as one can. I don’t agree with his Phil methods there is no reason for it other then his massive ego. Who else does this kind of thing? Not the people you mentioned. I am a Rush Limbaugh fan (not so much for Nancy Pelosi) he has an interesting method and a healthy ego, but he has never to my knowledge shown up to the Super Bowl dressed in costume or even wearing and EIB t-shirt. J

Paw_kit Aces · Jul 6, 2009

OzExorcist said:
Because he's Phil Hellmuth and he understands publicity.

like showing up at televised final tables he's not playing in just to shake some hands and get some camera time. Or using his "I'm doing it for the cameras" excuse to get out of a penalty during last year's Main Event.

Stuff like this is just funny in comparison, I think, and it wouldn't be the World Series without it these days.

This is exactly the kind of things that Phil does that made me jump off his band wagon.

OzExorcist · Jul 6, 2009

Paw_kit Aces said:
I don’t agree with his Phil methods there is no reason for it other then his massive ego.

Sorry, but this is just not true. Money is the real reason he does it, and I say best of luck to him.

WEC · Jul 6, 2009

I dont mind Phil making dramatic entrances....If he could somehow stop being one of the biggest POS's in poker (and life) I could learn to appreciate him more.

It is a shame someone who has done so well still acts like a 12 year old when he loses a hand.

john003 · Jul 6, 2009

I hate Phil Hellmuth.

However, I LOVE to hate Phil Hellmuth.

His antics and tirades can be annoying to most but its part of his image and I wouldn't have it any other way. You can't deny his skill as a NLHE player and his antics are all one complete package that I can't imagine not having in the professional poker world.

I hope he never changes, I couldn't imagine watching another episode of WSOP and not seeing Hellmuth blow ups. It just wouldn't be the same.

vanquish · Jul 6, 2009

he's a huge toolbox, but who cares? he keeps moronic players excited about poker

beefcake413 · Jul 6, 2009

Paw_kit Aces said:
Actually at one time Phil was one of my favorite pros. The first poker book I read was his because I thought he played well and learn from him, but that was before I saw the way he conducts himself when he get drawn out on. I know poker is a game where you try to get in your opponents’ head, that’s good strategy, but that is not what he is doing. He is just throwing a temper tantrum like a 3 year old toddler who can’t get an extra cookie with his dinner. Everybody in poker gets drawn out on, but Phil crosses the line and there is no excuse for that kind of thing. I once saw him berate a dealer because he got drawn out on and since he is not playing the dealer there was no reason to bring her into it.

You are correct about reason for the grand entrance being his ego, but I think it is all because of his ego, not just endorsement opportunities or obligations. He will continue to get endorsement as long as he keeps winning there is no need to constantly be the center of attention and disrupting the game like he feels like he must do…I’m just saying…

I'm not excusing some of his behavior, like last year when he called the guy an idiot about ten times (he received a penalty and later apologized to the person). But it is honestly naive to believe that Phil doesn't do pretty much everything he does for a reason. He goes off on some of these rants (yes partially because he's pissed) but partially to get a read. See how people react. Get under people's skin. Piss them off. As I stated, most amateurs do not control their emotions well. You berate their play or "go off" about them and they will be more likely to focus on you and not the poker. Phil does most of the things he does to set up later plays against those very players and if you truly watch him most of the time it works...

COVID2 · Jul 6, 2009

I guess Phil Hellmuth is ridiculous sometimes, but he is the best in the world of poker, what we can do it?? for hem is normal be the king

Kenzie 96 · Jul 6, 2009

vanquish said:
he's a huge toolbox, but who cares? he keeps moronic players excited about poker

I will have you know that Phil Helmuth has absolutely nothing to do with me being excited about poker.

am86 · Jul 23, 2009

COVID2 said:
I guess Phil Hellmuth is ridiculous sometimes, but he is the best in the world of poker, what we can do it?? for hem is normal be the king

wayne gretzky is argueably the greatest hockey player ever, but u dont see him parading around in stupid costumes every 5 seconds.......although he did do that nickelback video

massimo · Jul 23, 2009

I think Julius Caesar would be pissed, cause Phil looks like a complete dork.

undone · Jul 24, 2009

he looks pretty good as Julius Caesar.... but i do not much care for him!

He is good for poker though because there always has to be someone that people dont like.. and everyone loves watching Matusow annoy him.. so its good!

sharkyo01 · Jul 24, 2009

PMSL .... Best laugh i had in a long time.... Good for him!!!!!

JohnnyFronts · Jul 24, 2009

Aparently he's doing something right since we are all still posting about him

Phil is a master at tournaments, and his public acts of awesomeness, donkness, whateverness is good for poker.

thesoxwin · Jul 24, 2009

It's a wonder that stuff like this doesn't happen more often to Phil.

YouTube - Who punched the poker brat Phil Hellmuth?

Ernster86 · Jul 24, 2009

Phil is a legend and a good promoter of the game. He may not be the best, but I'm sure the poker "powers that be" ask him to do these "stunts".

Phil Hellmuth is a shameless self promoter

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